Abstract: Some embodiments an implant supports female genitlia, for example, to treat and/or prevent prolapse and/or urinary incontinence. The implant may be inserted into a vagina non-surgically. Optionally, the device may be incorporated within the vaginal wall. Optionally, the device includes a hollow elastic frame. For example, the frame may be made of metal and/or wire and/or a cut out and/or a polymer. In some embodiment a cranial portion of the device is designed for supporting the vaginal dome. For example, the cranial end of the device may include an element (e.g., support wires) running in an anterior-posterior direction. Optionally there may be a free space avoiding interference with the uterine cervix. In some embodiments, a caudal portion of the device is configured to hold the device in the vagina.

Abstract: A tissue displacement/separation device includes a seamless bladder constructed of a biodegradable polymer. The bladder is expandable from a collapsed or rolled state for insertion into a body between a first and second tissue to an expanded state for separating the first and second tissue.

Abstract: The current disclosure relates to a system for treating impotence. In some embodiments, the device includes a mount for holding a transducer in intimate contact to a penile tissue. For example, an ultrasound transducer and/or a vibration transducer may be held in vibrational communication with a corpora, a crura, a root of the penis and/or a glans. For example, the mount may include a sheath and/or a tubular body that may be rigid, partially flexible and/or flexible. The sheath may be open on one or both ends and/or may fully surround the penis and/or include a slit on one side. Optionally, the tubular body includes one or more extensions that reach the root of the penis and/or the crura. For example, the extensions may extend proximally from a proximal end of the sheath and/or the extensions may include transducers that face and/or inward (towards one another).

Abstract: A tissue displacement/separation device includes a seamless bladder constructed of a biodegradable polymer. The bladder is expandable from a collapsed or rolled state for insertion into a body between a first and second tissue to an expanded state for separating the first and second tissue.

Abstract: A tissue displacement/separation device is provided. The device includes a bladder which is expandable between a first tissue and a second tissue of a body. The bladder has an expanded shape which is selected capable of displacing or separating the first tissue from the second tissue in a manner suitable for protecting the first tissue from an effect of a treatment applied to the second tissue.

Abstract: The invention provides a surgical fastener. The fastener has a first element defining an axis of the fastener, and one or more prongs attached to the first element at hinge regions. Deploying the fastener involves bending the prongs at the hinges so as to increase the distance of the prong tips from the axis and locking the fastener in this deployed configuration. The invention also provides a surgical fastening device and a method for attaching a surgical fastener to a site of a body tissue.

Abstract: The application provides a device (2) for extracting from a body tissue surgical fasteners (20) having a crown, a baseplate and prongs extending from the crown to the baseplate. The device includes a shaft having a lumen with a cross-sectional shape and dimensions to allow the crown to enter the lumen while preventing the baseplate from entering the lumen.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting growth of, reducing or eliminating a cell population of a subject in need thereof is disclosed. The method comprises (a) thermally, mechanically and/or chemically damaging antigen-bearing cells which comprise at least one antigen characterizing cells of the cell population, with the proviso that the chemically damaging of the antigen-bearing cells is not predominantly effected using one or more antineoplastic agents, thereby generating immunogenic cells; and (b) introducing in the subject a cell aggregate which comprises the immunogenic cells and added antigen-presenting cells, thereby inducing an immune response for inhibiting growth of, reducing or eliminating the cell population of the subject.

Abstract: A device auxiliary to surgery, for anchoring and lifting cavity walls or internal organs of a patient. The device provides a virtual port; that is an instrument that can be non-invasively, or minimally invasively and removably attached to the undersurface of a patient's cavity, or to various tissues within a cavity, and to which various retracting means are attached. The device includes means allowing it to be moved from one position to another and reattached to the undersurface of the abdominal wall, or to various tissues within a cavity, without creating any additional openings in the cavity wall. The device includes means for attaching various retractors.

Abstract: A tissue displacement/separation device is provided. The device includes a bladder which is expandable between a first tissue and a second tissue of a body. The bladder has an expanded shape which is selected capable of displacing or separating the first tissue from the second tissue in a manner suitable for protecting the first tissue from an effect of a treatment applied to the second tissue.

Abstract: A device auxiliary to surgery, for anchoring and lifting cavity walls or internal organs of a patient. The device provides a virtual port, that is an instrument that can be non-invasively, or minimally invasively and removably attached to the undersurface of a patient's cavity, or to various tissues within a cavity, and to which various retracting means are attached. The device includes means allowing it to be moved from one position to another and reattached to the undersurface of the abdominal wall, or to various tissues within a cavity, without creating any additional openings in the cavity wall. The device includes means for attaching various retractors.

Abstract: A device auxiliary to surgery, for anchoring and lifting cavity walls or internal organs of a patient. The device provides a virtual port; that is an instrument that can be non-invasively, or minimally invasively and removably attached to the undersurface of a patient's cavity, or to various tissues within a cavity, and to which various retracting means are attached. The device includes means allowing it to be moved from one position to another and reattached to the undersurface of the abdominal wall, or to various tissues within a cavity, without creating any additional openings in the cavity wall. The device includes means for attaching various retractors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to tumor associated antigen (TAA) peptides and to use of same, of polynucleotides encoding same and of cells presenting same as anti-tumor vaccines. More particularly, the present invention relates to tumor associated antigen peptides derived from Uroplakin Ia, Ib, II and III, Prostate specific antigen (PSA), Prostate acid phosphatase (PAP) and Prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA), BA-46 (Lactadherin), Mucin (MUC-1), and Teratocarcinoma-derived growth factor (CRIPTO-1) and the use of same as anti-tumor vaccines to prevent or cure bladder, prostate, breast or other cancers, carcinomas in particular. Most particularly, the present invention relates to tumor associated antigen peptides which are presentable to the immune system by HLA-A2 molecules.

Abstract: The invention relates to colon and prostate tumor associated antigen peptides obtainable from prostate specific G protein-coupled receptor (PSGR), six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of prostate (STEAP) and proteins encoded by genes found overexpressed in colon carcinoma cells, such as human 1-8D interferon induced transmembrane protein 2. The invention further relates to a polynucleotide encoding the tumor associated antigen peptides and to pharmaceutical compositions, which are preferably anti-tumor vaccine compositions, containing a tumor associated antigen, at least one tumor associated antigen peptide thereof, or encoding polynucleotide thereof as an active ingredient. The pharmaceutical compositions can be administered to a patient in need thereof to treat or inhibit the development of colon or prostate cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to tumor associated antigen (TAA) peptides and to use of same, of polynucleotides encoding same and of cells presenting same as anti-tumor vaccines. More particularly, the present invention relates to tumor associated antigen peptides derived from Uroplakin Ia, Ib, II and III, Prostate specific antigen (PSA), Prostate acid phosphatase (PAP) and Prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA), BA-46 (Lactadherin), Mucin (MUC-1), and Teratocarcinoma-derived growth factor (CRIPTO-1) and the use of same as anti-tumor vaccines to prevent or cure bladder, prostate, breast or other cancers, carcinomas in particular. Most particularly, the present invention relates to tumor associated antigen peptides which are presentable to the immune system by HLA-A2 molecules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to tumor associated antigen (TAA) peptides and to use of same, of polynucleotides encoding same and of cells presenting same as anti-tumor vaccines. More particularly, the present invention relates to tumor associated antigen peptides derived from Uroplakin Ia, Ib, II and III, Prostate specific antigen (PSA), Prostate acid phosphatase (PAP) and Prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA), BA-46 (Lactadherin), Mucin (MUC-1), and Teratocarcinoma-derived growth factor (CRIPTO-1) and the use of same as anti-tumor vaccines to prevent or cure bladder, prostate, breast or other cancers, carcinomas in particular. Most particularly, the present invention relates to tumor associated antigen peptides which are presentable to the immune system by HLA-A2 molecules.

Abstract: An anastomosis device for forming two lumen-comprising body structures having an un-deployed and a deployed state and switchable from the former to the latter, comprising: a body with an overall cylindrical shape defining a proximal-distal extending axis of and comprising an external essentially cylindrical body part with a lumen and an internal body part at least a portion thereof being deployed within the lumen of the external body part and axially displacable with respect thereto in the switch between the un-deployed and the deployed states; said internal body part having an internal duct extending axially therethrough whereby in the deployed state there is a fluid communication between the distal and the proximal ends of the body; and two tissue-engaging units axially displaced from one another along said axis; at least one of the two units can change its state from a closed state in the un-deployed state of the device to an opened, tissue-engaging state in the deployed state of the device in which said f

Abstract: A method of inhibiting growth of, reducing or eliminating a cell population of a subject in need thereof is disclosed. The method comprises (a) thermally, mechanically and/or chemically damaging antigen-bearing cells which comprise at least one antigen characterizing cells of the cell population, with the proviso that the chemically damaging of the antigen-bearing cells is not predominantly effected using one or more antineoplastic agents, thereby generating immunogenic cells; and (b) introducing in the subject a cell aggregate which comprises the immunogenic cells and added antigen-presenting cells, thereby inducing an immune response for inhibiting growth of, reducing or eliminating the cell population of the subject.

Abstract: The application provides a device (2) for extracting from a body tissue surgical fasteners (20) having a crown, a baseplate and prongs extending from the crown to the baseplate. The device includes a shaft having a lumen with a cross-sectional shape and dimensions to allow the crown to enter the lumen while preventing the baseplate from entering the lumen.

Abstract: A surgical instrument suitable for endoscopic operations having a gripping handle, tubular body and an operational tip. Jetting outlets laterally disposed at the operational tip provides for jetting pressurized liquid delivered by the tubular body. The jetting outlets are configured as to emit converging jets. Two or more jets converge at a convergence point laterally displaced at a predefined distance from the surface of the operational tip. The operational tip includes a heating member having an active face for contact heating a bleeding tissue. A rotating mechanism provides for independently rotating the jetting outlets and the active surface of the heating member relative to the gripping handle. A method for regulating the operating temperature of the heating member is provided.