Abstract: A device completely disposable within a bodily lumen of a patient and for controlling flow through the bodily lumen having a device body having a proximal end, a distal end and a device lumen within the device body extending from the proximal end to the distal end and a fixation element extending from the outer wall of device body adapted and configured to engage with the wall of the bodily lumen. The device body is adapted and configured to move from a position where the device lumen blocks flow through the bodily lumen to a position where the device lumen allows flow through the bodily lumen. In other configurations, there are one or more valves within the device lumen adapted and configured to move between a position to block flow through the bodily lumen and a position to allow flow through the bodily lumen.

Abstract: This application discloses methods for diagnosing and treating SUI. The treatment methods are directed to inhibiting elastolysis in affected tissues and correcting imbalances in the expression of elastase enzymes and their inhibitors.

Abstract: The invention disclosed in this application provides methods of diagnosing and treating stress urinary incontinence and predisposition to stress urinary incontinence. These methods are based on the identification of significant differences in gene expression in the pelvic supporting tissues of premenopausal women afflicted with SUI as compared with continent, control women, using microarray-based techniques. The identified differences in gene expression may contribute to altered ECM metabolism and ECM remodeling in pelvic tissue from SUI women. The invention also provides candidate genes for use in diagnosing disorders characterized by pelvic floor dysfunction, including SUI, identification of therapeutic gene targets, evaluation of treatment regimens, prediction of treatment outcome, design of therapeutic agents, and identification of individuals at risk for developing these disorders. Various embodiments of the present invention are disclosed which relate to the above-described uses of candidate genes.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for diagnosing urinary incontinence or a predisposition to urinary incontinence in a subject by determining the ratio of expression levels of MMPs/TIMPs in pelvic supporting tissue of the subject and comparing the ratio to a predetermined indicator. A diagnostic kit is also disclosed. Methods are disclosed for treating urinary incontinence by reducing proteolysis of collagen in pelvic supporting tissue of the subject and for identifying therapeutic agents in in vitro screens.