Abstract: A prostatic stent and method of manufacture. The stent has an elongate body defining a passage therethrough and includes a distal section, a mid-section and a proximal section. The elongate body has a length sufficient to extend distally from a bladder neck to a position somewhat short of the external sphincter. The proximal section has a shape conforming to the neck of the urinary bladder.

Abstract: A stent for transluminal implantation comprising a single-piece tubular member having a fenestrated side wall exhibiting a pattern of uniformly spaced openings defined by intersecting strands where the strands are integrally joined together at their points of intersection whereby the tubular member can be radially compressed from a larger diameter to a smaller diameter by the application of a uniform inwardly directed radial force and which self-expands to a larger diameter when the radial compressive force is removed. The compression and subsequent self-expansion occurs without an appreciable change in the stent's length. By forming the stent from a thermoplastic material, it may later be resected by carving it up into small pieces preferably using an electrosurgical instrument.

Abstract: An instrument for the placement of a self-expanding stent in a body canal, which comprises an elongated inner tube having an outer tube disposed along its axis adapted to carry and retain a self-expanding stent adjacent its proximal end, and an arrangement for releasing the stent, in combination with at least one of the following components: (a) a location member for positioning and fixing the instrument so that the stent is released at a desired location in the body canal, and (b) a member for releasing the stent in a retrograde manner. A method for placing a self-expanding stent in a body canal is also disclosed.

Abstract: An anchoring means for anchoring a suture in tissue comprises a housing, a substantially cylindrical means within said housing for receiving a suture, and an adjusting means. Another anchoring means comprises a housing, a rotating spool within said housing, a driving gear, and an adjusting means.

Abstract: A method for suspending the urethrovesical junction in females comprises inserting sutures through a puncture or incision in the suprapubic abdominal area or through a puncture or incision in the vaginal wall, suspending the urethrovesical junction with the sutures, and anchoring the sutures with an anchoring means at an anchoring site. The anchoring means is a relatively rigid helix having an attaching means to attach the suture, or a pad adapted to be delivered with a delivery means to the anchoring site, or a flip anchor in substantial axial alignment with a placement means and adapted to be flipped from the axial alignment to an angled position, or an adjustable tissue anchor having a means for adjustably attaching the sutures.

Abstract: An apparatus for dilation of the prostate urethra comprises a urinary catheter for insertion in the prostate urethra, dilation means mounted on the proximal section of the catheter and in communication with the interior of the catheter, location means mounted axially on the catheter at a distance from the dilation means such that the location means is at the bulbous urethra when the dilation means is at the prostate urethra, and activating means for activating said dilation means and said location means. A method for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia comprises inserting a urinary catheter having dilation means and location means and removing the catheter after dilation.

Abstract: An apparatus for dilation of the prostate urethra which comprises a urinary catheter for insertion in the prostate urethra, dilation means comprising a balloon having an integral protuberance, said means being mounted on the proximal section of the catheter and in communication with the interior of the catheter, location means mounted axially on the catheter at a distance from the dilation means such that the location means is at the bulbous urethra when the dilation means is at the prostate urethra, and activating means for activating said dilation means and said location means. A method for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia comprises inserting a catheter having dilation means and location means and removing the catheter after dilation.

Abstract: A penile prosthesis system involves the use of an inflatable penile prosthesis which is expandable under pressurization from a flaccid to an erect state. The prosthesis exhibits a low modulus of elasticity in expansion but ultimately reaches a modulus transition after which it exhibits a high modulus of elasticity and resists further expansion. The prosthesis may also be formed of a material which elastically expands from a flaccid to an erect state and elastically contracts thereafter. In its erect state the prosthesis is taut and the surrounding tissue may be similarly taut and pressurized because of the expansion of the prosthesis in girth. If a weakening occurs in the surrounding tissue, the tendancy to form localized penile bulges is limited because of the inability of the prostheis to expand readily beyond its modulus transition.

Abstract: A prosthesis adapted to be implanted in a penis includes an elongate malleable element which may be bent to enable the prosthesis to be conformed to a variety of shapes. A bend-limiting member is positioned next to the malleable element and serves to limit the radius of bend of the malleable element and thereby minimize damage or weakening to the malleable element through extreme bending. The malleable element and the bend-limiting member are encased within a physiologically inert plastic body.

Abstract: This implantable penile prosthesis may be surgically implanted in human males to cure erectile impotence. The prosthesis includes a pair of rigid portions joined by a hollow tubular section, all of which are implanted inside and along the length of a penis. The tubular section is connected to a pump means which controls erection of the penis by controlling the supply of fluid pressure to the tubular section. The tubular section includes a chamber means which undergoes only a small change in volume and therefore requires minimal fluid displacement as the prosthesis goes between a nonerect and an erect condition.

Abstract: The tool comprises a hollow barrel having an obturator slidably mounted therein and having a rounded forward end. A locating device is attached to the barrel to stabilize the obturator in the plurality of predetermined positions as it is moved along the bore of the barrel. A needle having suture material attached may be placed within the bore of the barrel. A slot is located along the length of the barrel to allow the suture material to exit from the side of the barrel. In practice, the tool may be inserted into a bodily structure such as one of the corpora cavernosa of a penis. The outer surface of the barrel is equipped with a plurality of markings that allow the user to gauge the depth that the barrel has been inserted into a bodily structure. After the tool is inserted, the obturator is slid along the barrel bore to force the needle out of the rounded forward end of the barrel. The needle is manually pulled out of the bodily structure.