Abstract: Introducer Device comprises (a) Housing including (1) Housing Lumen sized and shaped to slidably receive a visualization device therein and (2) Slot sized to receive therein a projection extending from visualization device received in Lumen radially away from Lumen; (b) Sheath extending distally from handle and being sized and shaped for insertion through a natural body opening into a hollow body organ, Sheath including a fluid delivery lumen delivering heated fluid to the organ and a fluid return lumen withdrawing the fluid after it has been circulated through the organ; (c) Connector including Connector Lumen aligned with Lumen and sized and shaped to slidably receive therein visualization device; (d) Locking arrangement movably coupled to Housing, movement relative to the housing opening and closing Slot; and (e) Adjustment mechanism moving Connector relative to Housing to adjust distance between a proximal end of Connector Lumen and a distal end of Sheath.

Abstract: The invention provides, in various embodiments, systems, devices and methods relating to employing soft tissue anchors in combination with an implantable sling to treat urinary incontinence.

Abstract: The invention provides, in various embodiments, systems, devices and methods relating to employing soft tissue anchors in combination with an implantable sling to treat urinary incontinence.

Abstract: Systems and methods employing a sling delivery assembly having a sling delivery device couplable to a sling assembly to deliver an implant through a transobturator incision point are disclosed. Successful coupling between the sling delivery device and the sling assembly can be verified through changes in an optical or electrical signal produced at the coupling location.

Abstract: A thermal ablation system comprises a fluid handling unit receiving fluid from a fluid source at a first pressure, the fluid handling unit including a heater heating the fluid to a desired temperature and a pump and an introducer including a sheath which, when in an operative position, is received within a hollow organ, the sheath including a delivery lumen introducing fluid heated by the heater to the hollow organ and a return lumen withdrawing fluid from the hollow organ and returning the withdrawn fluid to the console via a return lumen, wherein the pump increases a pressure of the fluid between the fluid source and the delivery lumen of the introducer.

Abstract: Introducer Device comprises (a) Housing including (1) Housing Lumen sized and shaped to slidably receive a visualization device therein and (2) Slot sized to receive therein a projection extending from visualization device received in Lumen radially away from Lumen; (b) Sheath extending distally from handle and being sized and shaped for insertion through a natural body opening into a hollow body organ, Sheath including a fluid delivery lumen delivering heated fluid to the organ and a fluid return lumen withdrawing the fluid after it has been circulated through the organ; (c) Connector including Connector Lumen aligned with Lumen and sized and shaped to slidably receive therein visualization device; (d) Locking arrangement movably coupled to Housing, movement relative to the housing opening and closing Slot; and (e) Adjustment mechanism moving Connector relative to Housing to adjust distance between a proximal end of Connector Lumen and a distal end of Sheath.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating tissue, comprising a sheath defining a lumen sized and shaped to receive a treatment device therein, a guide member coupled to the sheath and extending a predetermined distance substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the sheath, and a stabilizer element for engaging an anchoring device coupled to tissue to stabilize the sheath and the treatment device, the stabilizing element being movably coupled to the guide member for movement therealong substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sheath wherein, when in a proximal-most position, the stabilizer element is located proximally of a proximal end of the guide member.

Abstract: A method for necrosing target tissue within a hollow organ, comprises looping a cinching device around an outer surface of the hollow organ and coupling ends of the cinching device to one another in combination with tightening the cinching device to compress tissue of the hollow organ to occlude at least one artery supplying blood to the hollow organ and maintaining the cinching device around the hollow organ until a period of time selected to necrose the target tissue has elapsed.

Abstract: Systems and methods employing a sling delivery assembly having a sling delivery device couplable to a sling assembly to deliver an implant through a transobturator incision point are disclosed. Successful coupling between the sling delivery device and the sling assembly can be verified through changes in an optical or electrical signal produced at the coupling location.

Abstract: The invention provides, in various embodiments, systems, devices and methods relating to employing soft tissue anchors in combination with an implantable sling to treat urinary incontinence.

Abstract: The invention, in various embodiments, is directed to systems, devices, and methods relating to pre-pubic approaches to delivering a supportive sling to periurethral tissue of a patient.

Abstract: In the present invention, there is provided a removable cover for retaining off-gases inside a clarifier. The cover comprises trusses extending across the clarifier and a flexible sheet laid across the trusses. Structural angles enclose the clarifier and constitute a kick plate on the walkways around the clarifier for improving the safety of workers. One side of the flexible sheet is permanently affixed to a first wall of the clarifier. A series of pullers are mounted inside the structural angles for pulling and releasably sealing the three other sides of the flexible sheet against the outmost trusses and against a second wall of the clarifier opposite the first wall. Each puller has a cable-deflector bar extending substantially at a same level as a mounting surface of the puller for increasing an angle of downward pull on the flexible sheet. The flexible sheet is rolled-up along the trusses to expose machinery inside the clarifier.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an anchoring balloon structure for use with catheters. The anchoring balloon structure contains an expandable balloon disposed about a port on a catheter, and a pressure-relief valve for regulating the pressure in the balloon and for providing irrigation to a body lumen. The pressure-relief valve is located external to the expandable balloon. The balloon, when filled with fluid, expands and is engaged in direct contact with the tissue. The increase in pressure caused by the balloon against the tissue causes any additional fluid to migrate into the valve region, whereby excess pressure is released and irrigation is provided to the body lumen.