Abstract: According to embodiments of the invention, an apparatus for moving a diseased portion of an anatomical structure with respect to a healthy portion of an anatomical structure includes a first vacuum section adapted to apply vacuum force to and hold the healthy portion, and a second vacuum section adapted to apply vacuum force to and hold the diseased portion, wherein the second vacuum section is adapted to withdraw within the first vacuum section.

Abstract: Therapeutic devices and methods according to embodiments of the invention alleviate e.g. urinary incontinence in female and male patients. Suction or vacuum, for example, is applied to the genital region, clitoris or clitoral region, the external urethral orifice, and/or other designated areas, e.g. physically stimulating the sacral/pudendal nerves and/or nerve roots and alleviating incontinence. Such embodiments also can encourage or cause clitoral engorgement, or otherwise promote blood flow in the genital region. Vacuum or suction applied to e.g. the clitoris creates a negative pressure in the clitoris that is lower than the systolic blood pressure, tending to promote engorgement of the clitoris with blood. Aspects of the invention are applicable not only to treatment of urinary and fecal incontinence, but also to the treatment of female sexual dysfunction. Aspects of the invention are also applicable to treatment of male incontinence and male erectile dysfunction.

Abstract: Surgical devices and methods achieve a desired configuration of one or more anatomical structures, e.g. by suction or inflation, and then optionally deploy a stabilizing or fastening agent or holding device, for example a helical staple, to stabilize the anatomical structure in the desired configuration. Aspects of the invention can be used in the treatment of incontinence, coronary artery blockage, and blockages or strictures in other anatomical structures. Additionally, embodiments of the invention also can be used to create anastomoses between anatomical structures, and/or to create or reverse functional vasectomies, tubal ligations and the like. Aspects of the invention are particularly (though not exclusively) applicable in minimally invasive surgical settings.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the invention, an apparatus for moving a diseased portion of an anatomical structure with respect to a healthy portion of an anatomical structure includes a first vacuum section adapted to apply vacuum force to and hold the healthy portion, and a second vacuum section adapted to apply vacuum force to and hold the diseased portion, wherein the second vacuum section is adapted to withdraw within the first vacuum section.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a permanent implanted support for e.g. the urethral neck of the bladder, generally preventing urinary leakage caused by transmission of intra-abdominal pressure pulse waves. The support is implanted in a straightforward manner without the significant complexity and invasiveness associated with known surgical techniques. Pelvic trauma is dramatically reduced. Embodiments of the invention can be used in treatment of stress incontinence, and other types of incontinence, in both males and females.

Abstract: Therapeutic devices and methods according to embodiments of the invention encourage or cause clitoral engorgement to assist in the treatment of female sexual dysfunction. A vacuum is created over the clitoris, or suction is applied to the clitoris, to create a negative pressure in the clitoris that is lower than the systolic blood pressure. This tends to promote engorgement of the clitoris with blood.

Abstract: Therapeutic devices and methods according to embodiments of the invention alleviate e.g. urinary incontinence in female and male patients. Suction or vacuum, for example, is applied to the genital region, clitoris or clitoral region, the external urethral orifice, and/or other designated areas, e.g. physically stimulating the sacral/pudendal nerves and/or nerve roots and alleviating incontinence. Such embodiments also can encourage or cause clitoral engorgement, or otherwise promote blood flow in the genital region. Vacuum or suction applied to e.g. the clitoris creates a negative pressure in the clitoris that is lower than the systolic blood pressure, tending to promote engorgement of the clitoris with blood. Aspects of the invention are applicable not only to treatment of urinary and fecal incontinence, but also to the treatment of female sexual dysfunction. Aspects of the invention are also applicable to treatment of male incontinence and male erectile dysfunction.

Abstract: Surgical devices and methods achieve a desired configuration of one or more anatomical structures, e.g. by suction or inflation, and then optionally deploy a stabilizing or fastening agent or holding device, for example a helical staple, to stabilize the anatomical structure in the desired configuration. Aspects of the invention can be used in the treatment of incontinence, coronary artery blockage, and blockages or strictures in other anatomical structures. Additionally, embodiments of the invention also can be used to create anastomoses between anatomical structures, and/or to create or reverse functional vasectomies, tubal ligations and the like. Aspects of the invention are particularly (though not exclusively) applicable in minimally invasive surgical settings.

Abstract: An apparatus for diagnosing male impotence by measuring blood velocity in a cavernosal artery of a male penis includes at least one transducer for transmitting/receiving energy and reading corresponding Doppler effect to detect blood velocity in the cavernosal artery, a transducer housing for supporting the transducer in a substantially fixed orientation with respect to the penis as the transducer measures blood velocity in the cavernosal artery, and a fixing device, mechanically coupled to the transducer housing, to substantially mechanically fix the transducer housing in place with respect to the penis and hold the at least one transducer in a substantially constant angular orientation with respect to the cavernosal artery during an impotence diagnostic procedure. Corresponding methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Devices and methods according to embodiments of the invention measure physiological changes that occur in the female during sexual arousal. These include changes in clitoral, vaginal-artery, and/or vaginal-capillary blood flow, clitoral engorgement, and bioimpedance, to name a few. Feedback devices and methods assist a patient or medical professional to determine when arousal occurs and what its best triggers are for a particular patient. Overnight arousal-event monitoring, or other continuous monitoring over extended periods of time, either at home or away from home, allows diagnosis of vasculogenic impairment or other problems. The effects of medicinal therapies aimed at female sexual dysfunction can be quantified and used to titrate proper dosages. Embodiments of the invention provide objective, quantifiable measures of multiple physiological variables associated with female arousal, in a manner heretofore unseen in the prior art.

Abstract: Embodiment of the invention provide a permanent implanted support for e.g. the urethral neck of the bladder, substantially preventing urinary leakage caused by transmission of intra-abdonminal pressure pulse waves. The support is implanted in a straightforward manner without the significant complexity and invasiveness associated with known surgical techniques. Pelvic trauma is dramatically reduced. Embodiments of the invention can be used in treament of stress incontinence, and other types of incontinence, in both males and females.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the tumescent state of the penis of a patient includes a plurality of sensing elements to be placed in proximity to the penis for sensing penile impedance values. A processing device is operably coupled to the plurality of sensing elements, the processing device determining at least one penile variable using the impedance values. The at least one penile variable is selected from the group consisting of length, volume, volume-change, cross-sectional area and volume-filling rate variables. An output device operably coupled with the processing device to generate a display using the at least one determined penile variable. The output device displays e.g. a plot of penile length, penile volume values and/or penile cross-sectional area values for comparison by a user of the apparatus, readily allowing the user to distinguish artifactual effects from erectile events.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the treatment of diseases of the prostate, including BPH and prostate cancer, utilizing transurethrally applied focussed ultrasound energy to produce hyperthermal and thermotherapeutic effects in diseased tissue are disclosed. A first preferred embodiment of the apparatus relies on visual control; and a second preferred embodiment of the apparatus incorporates an integrated ultrasonic imaging and therapy transducer. The apparatus and method feature the close proximal placement of the ultrasound transducer to the diseased tissue to be treated, resulting in less attenuation of the beam and deposition of a greater fraction of the total emitted ultrasound energy in the selected portion of the diseased tissue. The ultrasound energy passes atraumatically through the urethral wall and other tissue not targeted.

Abstract: Blood flow in the aorta and pulmonary artery of a mammal, most typically a human, is measured volumetrically by a non-invasive, ultrasound apparatus. A piezoelectric ultrasound transducer mounted on a probe and inserted into the trachea in great proximity to the aorta or pulmonary artery by passage through the oral nasal cavity past the epiglottis and into the trachea, or by passage through a surgical opening into the trachea in the case of patients who have had a tracheotomy. Ultrasound waves are transmitted toward the path of flow of blood in the artery. Reflected waves are received. The average Doppler frequency difference between transmitted and received waves is measured. The cross-sectional size of the artery is determined. Blood flow rate is determined from the measurements. The apparatus comprises a tracheal tube or probe with one or two transducers mounted at one end the tube. The transducer(s) is (are) disposed to transmit ultrasound in selected directions.

Abstract: Blood flow in the aorta and pulmonary artery of a mammal, most typically a human, is measured volumetrically by a non-invasive, ultrasound method and apparatus. The method comprises placing a piezoelectric ultrasound transducer in the trachea in great proximity to the aorta or pulmonary artery by passage through the oral or nasal cavity past the epiglottis and into the trachea or by passage through the surgical opening into the trachea in the case of patients who have had a tracheotomy. Ultrasound waves are transmitted toward the path of flow of blood in the artery. Reflected waves are received. The average Doppler frequency difference between transmitted and received waves is measured. The cross-sectional size of the artery is measured. Blood flow rate is determined from the measurements. The apparatus comprises a tracheal tube or probe with one or two transducers mounted at one end the tube. The transducer(s) is (are) disposed to transmit ultrasound in selected directions.