Abstract: Organ manipulation devices for atraumatically grasping the surface of an organ and repositioning the organ to allow access to a location on the organ that would otherwise be substantially inaccessible. Methods of accessing a beating heart, retracting the heart using an organ manipulation apparatus, and stabilizing a surgical target area with a stabilizer. Both the organ manipulator and stabilizer are fixed to a stationary object which may be a sternal retractor. A system for performing beating heart coronary artery bypass grafting includes a sternal retractor, organ manipulator and stabilizer.

Abstract: A method of treating erectile dysfunction includes providing a pump having a proximal tip communicating with a fluid reservoir, a bladder connected at a proximal end to the proximal tip and extending to a closed distal end, and a tube disposed in the bladder, the tube having a proximal end in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir and a distal end that opens into the bladder. The method additionally includes implanting the pump into a corpora cavernosum of a penis.

Abstract: A penile prosthetic assembly includes a penile implant containing a dilatant liquid and a reservoir connectable with the penile implant. Fluid transferred from the reservoir into the penile implant imposes a shear on the dilatant liquid to increase viscosity in the dilatant liquid and harden the penile implant.

Abstract: The invention features systems, methods, and devices relating to delivering a sling to an anatomical site in the body of a patient.

Abstract: A pump that comprises a fluid reservoir, a pump bulb, a plurality of tubing, and at least one inflatable penile cylinder. The pump comprises a pump body, an inlet valve within the pump body, an exhaust valve within the pump body and in fluid communication with the inlet valve, and a deflate valve within the pump body and in fluid communication with the inlet valve and the exhaust valve. The deflate valve enables one-touch release by (i) providing a voluntarily-activated fluid bypass so that fluid from the at least one inflatable penile cylinder can return to the fluid reservoir through at least one of the plurality of tubing without sustained activation of the deflate valve, and (ii) closing upon subsequent inflation of the at least one inflatable penile cylinder when such inflation is initiated by squeezing the pump bulb so that fluid does not flow back to the fluid reservoir.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating urinary incontinence, comprising: a support section adapted for providing urethral support; an anchoring section for resisting movement of the apparatus; an insert, a portion of which is adapted to be positioned where the support section attaches to the node; and, wherein the insert urges the support section radially outwards from a central axis of the apparatus.

Abstract: A pump connected to a reservoir and a cylinder of an implantable penile prosthesis includes a pump body and an inlet valve assembly. The pump body has a pump bulb connected to the pump body, where the pump bulb is operable to move fluid between the reservoir and the cylinder. The inlet valve assembly includes a valve and a tubular sleeve that provides an exit valve seat. The inlet valve assembly is disposed in an inlet channel of the pump body and operable to allow a portion of fluid to be drawn from the reservoir through the tubular sleeve and through the inlet channel to the pump bulb for delivery into the cylinder.

Abstract: A magnetic stimulator, which may be used as a transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) device, and a method for its use are disclosed. The stimulator comprises a frame and an electrically conductive coil having a partially toroidal or ovate base and an outwardly projecting extension portion. The frame may be a flexible or malleable material and may be nonconductive. The electrically conductive coil may comprise one or more windings of electrically conductive material (such as a wire) coupled to the frame. The coil is electrically connected to a power supply. The device may be placed adjacent to or in contact with the body of a subject, such as on the head of a subject. The device may be used on humans for treating certain physiological conditions, such as cardiovascular or neurophysiological conditions, or for studying the physiology of the body. This device is useful in studying or treating neurophysiological conditions associated with the deep regions of the brain, such as drug addiction and depression.

Abstract: A method of treating urinary incontinence includes forming a first incision exposing a urethral region a patient and forming first and second suprapubic incisions. The method includes tunneling an introducer from the first suprapubic incision superficially anterior to a pubic symphysis of the patient and out of the first incision, attaching a first portion of an implant to the introducer and retracting the introducer and the first portion of the implant from the first incision to the first suprapubic incision, and repeating these maneuvers on the contralateral side. The method includes forming third and fourth incisions and tunneling a suitable introducer from the third/fourth incisions through separate obturator foramen of the patient to allow retracting portions of the implant from the first incision back through to the third/fourth incision with the introducer.

Abstract: A male sexual impotence treatment apparatus comprises an adjustable non-inflatable restriction device (434) implanted in a male impotent patient. The restriction device directly engages a portion of the normal penile tissue of the patient, such as both of the corpora cavernosa as a single unit or one or more of the exit veins from the penis, to affect the blood flow leaving the penis. An adjustment device (436) mechanically adjusts the restriction device to temporarily restrict the blood flow leaving the penis when the patient wishes to achieve erection.

Abstract: A penile prosthetic includes a proximal tip in communication with a reservoir, a cylinder bladder connected at a proximal end to the proximal tip and extending to a distal end, and peristaltic tubing disposed inside the cylinder bladder. The peristaltic tubing has a proximal end that communicates with the reservoir and a distal end that is open to the cylinder bladder. Peristaltic compression applied from the proximal end to the distal end of the peristaltic tubing pumps fluid from the reservoir into the cylinder bladder.

Abstract: An implant for use in a human or animal body can include a flexible housing with an outer wall and having a chamber therein. The implant can have at least one high vapor pressure medium within the chamber. The at one high vapor pressure medium can have a combined vapor pressure equal to or greater than about the average value of the hydrostatic pressure of the implantation site plus the skin tension of the housing minus the gas tension of the dissolved gasses present at the implantation site.

Abstract: A body implantable penile prosthetic assembly includes a pump and a release mechanism. The pump is connectable to a pressure reservoir and a penile implant, where the pressure reservoir contains a pressurized liquid at a first pressure when implanted. The release mechanism is connectable between the pressure reservoir and the penile implant and is configured to release the pressurized liquid from the pressure reservoir to inflate the penile implant to a second pressure that is less than the first pressure. The pump is operable to transfer the pressurized liquid from the penile implant to the pressure reservoir to deflate the penile implant, and pressurize the pressurized liquid in the pressure reservoir from the second pressure to at least the first pressure.

Abstract: A system for inducing a subject to fall to sleep includes a light pattern generator for generating a time varying light pattern in view of the subject. Further, the system includes a breathing rate measuring unit for measuring a breathing frequency of the subject. In addition, the system includes a control unit connected to the breathing rate measuring unit and the light pattern generator, for controlling the light pattern generator such that the generated light pattern has a pattern frequency substantially between the measured breathing frequency and a pre-selected desired frequency.

Abstract: This invention relates to devices targeted to resolving various conditions of a female patient in need thereof, the conditions being female sexual dysfunction and urinary incontinence. The present disclosure provides for a device which incorporates a variety of elements in an effort to treat certain conditions of a female individual in need thereof. Optionally, the device of the present invention may be used as prophylactic measure to prevent a condition selected from the group consisting of female sexual dysfunction and urinary incontinence.

Abstract: A system for monitoring temperature in a body, the system comprising at least one implantable device, wherein the implantable device(s) is operable to sense temperature in the body and to generate status signals based on the sensed temperature in the body. The system further comprising a system control unit for wirelessly communicating with the implantable device(s), and the system control unit comprising a signal receiver for receiving the status signals, and also a programmable controller for producing notification signals based on the received status signals. A notification unit can alternatively communicate with the system control unit or the implantable device(s) for disclosing the sensed body temperature based on the notification signals.

Abstract: A magnetic implant for treating sleep disorders includes a first anchor, a first magnet coupled to the first anchor, a tongue anchor, a second magnet coupled to the tongue anchor, and a support for aligning the first and second magnets so that a repelling force is generated between the magnets for urging the second magnet away from the first magnet. In one embodiment, the support aligns a magnetic pole of the first magnet with a repelling magnetic pole of the second magnet, guides movement of the first and second magnets relative to one another, and maintains the first magnet at a fixed distance from the first anchor. In one embodiment, the repelling force urges the second magnet toward the first anchor. The first anchor may be connected to bone or soft tissue.

Abstract: A penile prosthesis implantation device comprises a barrel having a bore, an obturator and a needle clamp. The obturator has a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end. The second end of the obturator is adapted for slidable insertion into the bore of the barrel. The needle clamp is coupled to the second end of the obturator and comprises first and second pinching surfaces that are separated by a gap.

Abstract: A method of providing a user with a body implantable penile prosthetic includes providing a pump attachable to a pressure reservoir and a penile implant; pressurizing liquid in the pressure reservoir; configuring the pressure reservoir to release the pressurized liquid from the pressure reservoir to the penile implant at a first pressure for inflating the penile implant to an erect state; and pumping the pressurized liquid from the penile implant to the pressure reservoir and pressurizing the pressurized liquid to a second pressure greater than the first pressure.

Abstract: A sexual stimulation device which provides simultaneous stimulation to male and female partners during intercourse includes a hollow elastomeric shaft portion dimensioned to receive a penis and for vaginal insertion. The shaft includes a longitudinal rib forming an interior channel, the rib functioning to stiffen the shaft and the channel providing sufficient resilience to allow insertion and removal of a penis. The shaft terminates at a closed end in a hemispherical tip and at an opposite open end in a pair of spaced annular retaining rings. A plurality of raised rings spaced axially along the shaft enhance the pleasure of the female partner. The retaining rings provide a resilient retaining force to maintain the device in position during intercourse. An electric motor with an eccentric weighted flywheel mounted in a chamber extending between the annular rings provides vibratory stimulation.