Abstract: An incontinence treatment system includes a urethral support extending between a first end and a second end, a first connector attached to the first end of the urethral support and a second connector attached to the second end of the urethral support, and an energy source. At least one of the first connector and the second connector is a cross-linked polymer connector having a glass transition temperature between 40-70 degrees Celsius. In this regard, the cross-linked polymer connector is stretched to provide a stretched cross-linked polymer connector having a product length. The energy source is adapted to provide energy from an extracorporeal location through intact skin to shorten the stretched cross-linked polymer connector to an implant length that is less than the product length.

Abstract: The present invention provides medical devices comprising nanocomposite materials. By utilizing nanocomposites in the production thereof, the inventive medical devices can be produced with various advantageous properties. Methods of producing the inventive medical devices are also provided. Inasmuch as the inventive devices are expected to provide certain advantages in their use, there is also provided a method of medical care including methods of treatment or diagnosis, wherein the inventive devices are brought into therapeutic contact with a body to be treated or diagnosed thereby.

Abstract: Medical devices, such as medical balloons, and methods of making the devices, are disclosed. In some embodiments, the balloons include a portion, e.g., a layer, that varies in thickness.

Abstract: An incontinence treatment system includes a urethral support extending between a first end and a second end, a first connector attached to the first end of the urethral support and a second connector attached to the second end of the urethral support, and an energy source. At least one of the first connector and the second connector is a cross-linked polymer connector having a glass transition temperature between 40-70 degrees Celsius. In this regard, the cross-linked polymer connector is stretched to provide a stretched cross-linked polymer connector having a product length. The energy source is adapted to provide energy from an extracorporeal location through intact skin to shorten the stretched cross-linked polymer connector to an implant length that is less than the product length.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a cryoprobe capable of improving the cooling power of a cryosurgical system. A representative cryoprobe can comprise an inner cooling chamber and a radial chamber, positioned between the inner cooling chamber and an exterior wall of the cryoprobe. Preferably, the radial chamber is formed to have a low thermal conductivity so as to significantly reduce the transfer of heat between the body and the refrigerant in the inner chamber during a cryosurgical procedure. The radial chamber can be fabricated such that a vacuum can be applied to the radial chamber to further reduce heat transfer between the body and the inner cooling chamber. The radial chamber extends partially along the length of the cryoprobe such that inner cooling chamber is in direct thermal contact with the exterior wall at a cryoprobe tip.

Abstract: A sheath for use with a cryoprobe in a cryosurgical procedure can have an opening at its proximal end configured to be inserted over a tip portion of a cryoprobe. The sheath can be connected to the cryoprobe with an end connector. Sheath can have a tip located at its distal that can have a trocar configuration for tissue penetration. A cylindrical section located inwardly from the tip can have a spiral groove defined on an exterior surface. At least one wire can be disposed within the groove so as to fit within the outer perimeter of the sheath. Wires disposed in grooves can include heating elements and temperature sensing elements. Sheath can further include a graduated catheter located inwardly from the cylindrical section and a handle located inwardly from the graduated catheter.

Abstract: A suture system includes a tool and a suture assembly. The tool includes a head having a proximal portion housing a needle and a distal end spaced apart from the proximal portion by a throat, where the needle is movable through a needle exit port formed in the proximal portion of the head to a cavity formed in the distal end of the head. The suture assembly includes a length of suture connected to a suture cap that includes an annular wall that forms a hollow tubular section, and a tubular sleeve inserted in the annular wall, with an end of the length of suture inserted into and connected to the tubular sleeve. The needle is operable to engage with the hollow tubular section of the suture cap and move the suture cap between the cavity and the needle exit port.

Abstract: The present invention provides medical devices comprising nanocomposite materials. By utilizing nanocomposites in the production thereof, the inventive medical devices can be produced with various advantageous properties. Methods of producing the inventive medical devices are also provided. Inasmuch as the inventive devices are expected to provide certain advantages in their use, there is also provided a method of medical care including methods of treatment or diagnosis, wherein the inventive devices are brought into therapeutic contact with a body to be treated or diagnosed thereby.

Abstract: The present invention provides medical devices comprising nanocomposite materials. By utilizing nanocomposites in the production thereof, the inventive medical devices can be produced with various advantageous properties. Methods of producing the inventive medical devices are also provided. Inasmuch as the inventive devices are expected to provide certain advantages in their use, there is also provided a method of medical care including methods of treatment or diagnosis, wherein the inventive devices are brought into therapeutic contact with a body to be treated or diagnosed thereby.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods of making the devices are described. In some embodiments, the methods include a method of manufacturing a device including a first layer and a second layer, the method including the steps of selecting a material for the second layer, the material having a viscosity value at a shear rate of about 1 s?1 or less and at a selected temperature; selecting a nanocomposite material for the first layer that has a viscosity within about 20% to about 125% of the viscosity value of the material for the second layer; and co-extruding the first and second layers.

Abstract: A medical device includes at least four layers including a first material and a second material having a different stiffness than a stiffness of the first material, wherein at least one of the layers varies in thickness axially along the device.

Abstract: The present invention provides medical devices comprising nanocomposite materials. By utilizing nanocomposites in the production thereof, the inventive medical devices can be produced with various advantageous properties. Methods of producing the inventive medical devices are also provided. Inasmuch as the inventive devices are expected to provide certain advantages in their use, there is also provided a method of medical care including methods of treatment or diagnosis, wherein the inventive devices are brought into therapeutic contact with a body to be treated or diagnosed thereby.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods of making the devices are described. In some embodiments, the devices include multiple layers, and one or more layers can include a nanocomposite material.

Abstract: The present invention provides medical devices comprising nanocomposite materials. By utilizing nanocomposites in the production thereof, the inventive medical devices can be produced with various advantageous properties. Methods of producing the inventive medical devices are also provided. Inasmuch as the inventive devices are expected to provide certain advantages in their use, there is also provide a method of medical care including methods of treatment or diagnosis, wherein the inventive devices are brought into therapeutic contact with a body to be treated or diagnosed thereby.

Abstract: A medical device includes at least four layers including a first material and a second material having a different stiffness than a stiffness of the first material, wherein at least one of the layers varies in thickness axially along the device.

Abstract: A catheter comprising an inflatable balloon having a proximal end, a distal end, and an inflation cavity therebetween, a catheter shaft having the inflatable balloon affixed proximate a distal end thereof, the catheter shaft having an inflation lumen fluidly connected to the balloon inflation cavity. A guidewire lumen extends through the balloon cavity within a tubular member which is affixed to the inflatable balloon proximate the distal end. A reinforcing sleeve, having a proximal portion and a distal portion with a lumen extending therethrough, wherein the distal portion of the sleeve extends into the inflation cavity with at least a portion of the tubular member slidably disposed through the lumen thereof and the proximal portion is fixed relative to the catheter shaft and disposed in the catheter shaft inflation lumen.

Abstract: A medical device includes at least four layers including a first material and a second material having a different stiffness than a stiffness of the first material, wherein at least one of the layers varies in thickness axially along the device.

Abstract: A medical tubing is disclosed which includes a first material extending between proximal and distal ends of the tubing and which defines a lumen of the tubing. The tubing also includes a second material extending between at least portion of the distance between the proximal and distal ends of the tubing and that is embedded in the first material. The second material is fractured. The first material is flexible and the second material is relatively rigid and brittle and the two materials combined to provide a medical tubing that exhibits strain softening behavior.

Abstract: A medical device includes at least four layers including a first material and a second material having a different stiffness than a stiffness of the first material, wherein at least one of the layers varies in thickness axially along the device.

Abstract: A catheter, for example, a balloon catheter has a first and second section and a transition between the sections. The sections and the transition are arranged to enhance catheter deliverability.