Abstract: A bone fracture is repaired using a flexible, resorbable cannulated, self-tapping (in soft bone) compression and decompression fixation element to retain respective sections of bone in a spatial relationship that facilitates mending with minimal or no compression, that might otherwise lead to collapse and/or misalignment of the bone sections. The fixation element is inserted through a first bone section and intersects a second bone section at an acute angle relative to the fracture. As the fixation element is driven into the second bone section, its elasticity stably secures the mutually facing surfaces of the two bone sections in a mending position. Since the fixation element is flexible, its forward end may be deflected when it encounters the sidewall of the second bone section.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for surgically implanting a penile prosthesis for the treatment of erectile impotence. This is accomplished by surgically implanting two separate penile implants each comprising an elongated receptacle containing an electro-rheological fluid; electrodes positioned along the elongated receptacle, so that the electro-rheological fluid is interposed between the electrodes; and, e.g., a power source for applying a potential difference across the electrodes wherein the change in viscosity of the electro-rheological fluid contained in the elongated receptacle is directly proportional to the change in potential difference across the electrodes. As the potential difference across the electrodes increases, the viscosity of the electro-rheological fluid increases and the elongated receptacle becomes more rigid, thus a penile erection is accomplished.