Abstract: An inflated implant, such as an attenuation device, previously implanted in a urinary bladder can later be removed according to a number of different methods. Preferably, removal is accomplished transurethrally. Removal can be accomplished by reducing the inflated implant from an enlarged profile to a reduced profile so that it may be withdrawn transurethrally by a removal system. The removal system can be configured differently depending upon whether reduction from the enlarged profile to the reduced profile is accomplished by deflation, compression, and/or other ways.

Abstract: A centering tool and a combined centering-indicator tool for finding the magnetic center and indicating the setting of an implantable adjustable valve. The centering and combined centering-indicator tools include a magnetic capsule movable within a cavity to a target located on the tool when the magnetic capsule is centered over magnet of an adjustable valve.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automated treatment planning for radiation therapy are disclosed. Such methods and systems may be useful for treatment planning for intensity-modulate radiotherapy (IMRT). Also provided are user interfaces for automated radiation therapy treatment planning.

Abstract: An external component for a bone conduction hearing implant is described. An external housing is fixedly attached on the skin of a hearing implant patient over an implanted bone conduction hearing transducer. An electromagnetic drive coil arrangement is fixed within the external housing for conducting electrical current to develop electromagnetic drive signals. An attachment magnet arrangement is suspended within the external housing by a flexible spring arrangement and magnetically coupled to the drive coil arrangement and to a corresponding implant magnet arrangement within the implanted bone conduction transducer. The electromagnetic drive signals magnetically interact with the attachment magnet arrangement which reacts by vibrating on the spring arrangement and magnetically interacting with the implant magnet arrangement to generate a bone conduction vibration signal by the implanted bone conduction hearing transducer for perception by the patient as sound.

Abstract: A vaginal support device, vaginal positioning system and associated method of treating pelvic prolapse is presented herein. Vaginal support device contains flat superior and inferior surfaces to facilitate affixing of mesh to vagina. Vaginal support device may be used as part of a system in conjunction with a manipulation device to support the vaginal walls. Mesh retention system may also include a holding device and retention mechanism such as a catheter or shaft and corresponding catheter balloon to hold mesh in place.

Abstract: A sexual aid system including a flexible fabric tube and tube-insertable vibrator to assist a user to maintain an erection and offer additional stimulation to one or both partners in combination with user-adjustability for fit and vibrator location.

Abstract: A method of treating Peyronie's disease through implantation of a supporting structure in a penis suffering from a Peyronie's plaques affected area includes providing an incision in the penis and accessing the Peyronie's plaques affected area. The method includes excising plaque out of the Peyronie's plaque affected area and exposing exposed tissue of the penis, and placing an implant on the exposed tissue of the penis. The implant has a sheet component attached to a reinforcing component. The method includes positioning the implant allowing for tissue ingrowth into the sheet component and providing column strength to the exposed tissue of the penis with the reinforcing component of the implant, and securing the implant subcutaneously to the penis prior to closing the incision.

Abstract: A device for recovering one or more blastocysts from the uterus of a human includes an outer guide member for insertion into a cervical canal of the human. The outer guide member includes a distal portion with an activatable seal for isolating the uterus from the external environment and defines a lumen having a longitudinal axis. The device also includes an inner catheter located within the lumen and slidable along the longitudinal axis of the lumen relative to the outer guide member. The inner catheter has a distal tip positionable distally of the seal to extend into the uterus and includes a fluid delivery lumen terminating at a distal fluid delivery port for delivering fluid into the uterus. The device defines a distal suction port for aspirating fluid and entrained blastocysts from the uterus. The distal fluid delivery port and the distal suction port are arranged such that, in use, fluid delivered from the distal fluid delivery port travels through the distal suction port to the uterus.

Abstract: A penile prosthesis implantation device includes a barrel having a bore, and an obturator that is received within the bore and is configured to slide along a longitudinal axis of the bore relative to the barrel. A distal end of the obturator includes a needle clamp and one or more bore engaging members. The needle clamp is configured to hold a thread attachment end of a needle. Each bore engaging member includes a surface that engages an interior wall of the bore. A gap extends between a central portion of the obturator and the one or more bore engaging members.

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: This radiation therapy device controller selects, for a plurality of body motion phases, computed tomography image data obtained which shows a diseased portion, and generates, for each rotation angles of a ray source and a sensor array, a reconstructed image. The control device generates a radiation projection image which shows the diseased portion when the radiation is radiated if the rotation angle is a predetermined rotation angle, compares the reconstructed image of each of the plurality of body motion phases with the radiation projection image, and determines a body motion phase indicated by a reconstructed image in which a difference is small, to be a current respiratory phase. As a result, a position of the diseased portion calculated for the computed tomography image data in the computed tomography image data group of the respiratory phase in advance is identified to be a current position of the diseased portion.

Abstract: A device (10) for stretching the foreskin of a subject is disclosed. The device has a body (10) having a passage (14) that extends through the body (10) to a distal end (18). The distal end (18) is adapted to receive a balloon (B). Fluid may be introduced through the passage (14) to cause the balloon (B) to expand. A flow regulating member (20) is positioned across the passage (14) to selectively close the passage (14) to fluid flow.

Abstract: Rear tip extenders include a tether attached to a collar that can be mounted onto a respective cylinder forward of a fluid line (that communicates with a scrotal pump) to prevent full separation or detachment from the cylinder during a revision procedure.

Abstract: A low-dose-rate (LDR) brachytherapy device having a spatiotemporal radiation profile includes an elongated body having a radioactive material in a spatial pattern to provide a spatial radiation profile with a radiation intensity that varies along a length of the elongated body. The radioactive material includes at least first and second radioisotopes having at least first and second respective decay profiles that together provide a temporal radiation profile that is different from the first and second decay profiles. The spatial radiation profile and the temporal radiation profile form a net spatiotemporal radiation profile configured to provide a radiotherapy plan for a patient.

Abstract: The invention relates to a straw for cryopreservation that improves the chance of conception of semen after cryopreservation. The straw is produced by introducing a partitioning layer into a straw for artificial insemination to separate layers, thereby forming a semen storage layer containing an aqueous solution containing semen and an anti-freeze agent on one side and a dilution layer containing no anti-freeze agent on the other side, wherein a dilution solution containing an aqueous solution containing tris(hydroxymethyl aminomethane), citric acid, glucose and sodium chloride is used in the dilution layer.

Abstract: Surgical instruments for prolapse repair are disclosed. The surgical instruments have straight portions and helical portions. Surgical methods for treating prolapse are also disclosed, including passing a distal end region of the surgical instruments through the obturator foramen, associating an implant with the surgical instruments, and securing the implant in place to stabilize the vagina.

Abstract: A tool for inserting a cylinder of a penile prosthesis into a patient includes a handle extending between first and second guides. The first guide is located at a first end portion of the tool and includes a first cylinder cradle on a first side of the tool and a first tubing cradle on a second side of the tool that is opposite of the first side of the tool. The second guide located at a second end portion of the tool and includes a second cylinder cradle on one of the first side or the second side of the tool and a second tubing cradle on the other side of the tool. The lateral width of the first tubing cradle and the second tubing cradle is the same and a lateral width of the first cylinder cradle is smaller than a lateral width of the second cylinder cradle.

Abstract: A method for treating fecal incontinence in a body of a mammal having a rectum formed by a rectal wall extending to an anus wherein the rectal wall includes a sphincter muscle surrounding the anus. At least one nonaqueous solution is introduced into the rectal wall in the vicinity of the anus. A nonbiodegradable solid is formed in the rectal wall from the at least one nonaqueous solution.

Abstract: An artificial urinary sphincter system includes a cuff implantable around a portion of a urethra, an implantable pressure-regulating reservoir, and a deflation assembly attachable between the cuff and the implantable pressure-regulating reservoir. The deflation assembly includes a valve that selectively restricts movement of the fluid from the cuff to the pressure-regulating reservoir, a base and an activation surface opposite the base. The activation surface includes an outer peripheral rim surrounding a pad that is movable to displace the valve to allow the fluid to flow from the cuff to the pressure-regulating reservoir. An entirety of the pad is recessed relative to the outer peripheral rim such that the outer peripheral rim defines a maxima of the activation surface.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention generally provides self-adjusting gastric banding systems for the treatment of obesity and obesity related conditions, as well as systems for allowing the automatic self-adjustment of gastric bands when a patient swallows a large bolus. In some embodiments, the present invention generally provides for gastric banding systems having a satiety booster, for example, to increase satiety levels when a patient desires to curb appetite at a particular time. In some embodiments, the present invention may provide for gastric banding systems that allow for both the automatic self-adjustment of gastric bands when a patient swallows a large bolus and an incorporated satiety booster for increasing satiety levels when a patient desires to curb appetite at a particular time.