Abstract: A method for texturing a photovoltaic module ribbon on a photovoltaic cell including a plurality of first electrodes on a first side and a plurality of second electrodes on a second side, and coupling a first photovoltaic module ribbon to the plurality of first electrodes. The method also includes positioning the photovoltaic cell on a textured base having a texture embodied thereon, where the first photovoltaic module ribbon is substantially contacting the texture. The method further includes coupling a second photovoltaic module ribbon to the plurality of second electrodes, and transferring the texture of the textured base to the first ribbon using heat energy released when the second photovoltaic module ribbon is coupled to the plurality of second electrodes.

Abstract: A method for texturing a photovoltaic module ribbon on a photovoltaic cell including a plurality of first electrodes on a first side and a plurality of second electrodes on a second side, and coupling a first photovoltaic module ribbon to the plurality of first electrodes. The method also includes positioning the photovoltaic cell on a textured base having a texture embodied thereon, where the first photovoltaic module ribbon is substantially contacting the texture. The method further includes coupling a second photovoltaic module ribbon to the plurality of second electrodes, and transferring the texture of the textured base to the first ribbon using heat energy released when the second photovoltaic module ribbon is coupled to the plurality of second electrodes.

Abstract: An implantable device includes a body member having a bottom side that is parallel to a top side; a pair of legs extending from the bottom side of the body member; and a pair of arms extending from the body member perpendicular to the pair of legs and a second arm extending from the body member perpendicular to the pair of legs.

Abstract: A method of treating urinary incontinence is disclosed including anchoring an incontinence treatment device in a patient by securing anchor portions of the incontinence treatment device relative to a first ramus associated with a first obturator foramen and a second ramus associated with a second obturator foramen of the patient.

Abstract: A method of treating urinary incontinence includes making an incision and exposing urethral tissue in a patient and employing a tool to place an implant into the incision. The method also includes coupling a first end of the implant to the tool and directing the tool and the first end of the implant through a first obturator foramen of the patient and following the same approach on a contralateral side of the patient thus suspending the implant between the first obturator foramen and the second obturator foramen of the patient. The method additionally includes elevating a urethra of the patient with a central portion of the implant, and securing the first end of the implant relative to a first descending ramus of the patient and securing the second end of the implant relative to a second descending ramus of the patient.

Abstract: An implant for use in the treatment of urinary incontinence includes a suburethral support and an anchor portion extending from the support portion. The support portion is operatively positionable at or distal to the bulbar urethral complex and the anchor portion is operatively extensible through the obturator foramen.

Abstract: An implantable device includes a body member having a bottom side that is parallel to a top side; a pair of legs extending from the bottom side of the body member; and a pair of arms extending from the body member perpendicular to the pair of legs and a second arm extending from the body member perpendicular to the pair of legs.

Abstract: Implantable devices are designed to provide support to the bulbar urethral region of a patient experiencing incontinence. Surgical methods are utilized to implant the devices, and surgical tools are utilized with the surgical methods.

Abstract: A method of treating urinary incontinence includes forming a first incision exposing a urethral region a patient and forming first and second suprapubic incisions. The method includes tunneling an introducer from the first suprapubic incision superficially anterior to a pubic symphysis of the patient and out of the first incision, attaching a first portion of an implant to the introducer and retracting the introducer and the first portion of the implant from the first incision to the first suprapubic incision, and repeating these maneuvers on the contralateral side. The method includes forming third and fourth incisions and tunneling a suitable introducer from the third/fourth incisions through separate obturator foramen of the patient to allow retracting portions of the implant from the first incision back through to the third/fourth incision with the introducer.

Abstract: A method of treating urinary incontinence includes making an incision and exposing urethral tissue in a patient and employing a tool to place an implant into the incision. The method also includes coupling a first end of the implant to the tool and directing the tool and the first end of the implant through a first obturator foramen of the patient and following the same approach on a contralateral side of the patient thus suspending the implant between the first obturator foramen and the second obturator foramen of the patient. The method additionally includes elevating a urethra of the patient with a central portion of the implant, and securing the first end of the implant relative to a first descending ramus of the patient and securing the second end of the implant relative to a second descending ramus of the patient.

Abstract: A method of treating urinary incontinence includes making an incision and exposing urethral tissue in a patient and employing a tool to place an implant into the incision. The method also includes coupling a first end of the implant to the tool and directing the tool and the first end of the implant through a first obturator foramen of the patient and following the same approach on a contralateral side of the patient thus suspending the implant between the first obturator foramen and the second obturator foramen of the patient. The method additionally includes elevating a urethra of the patient with a central portion of the implant, and securing the first end of the implant relative to a first descending ramus of the patient and securing the second end of the implant relative to a second descending ramus of the patient.

Abstract: Implantable devices are designed to provide support to the bulbar urethral region of a patient experiencing incontinence. Surgical methods are utilized to implant the devices, and surgical tools are utilized with the surgical methods.

Abstract: A method of treating incontinence in a male patient includes forming a non-scrotal incision in the male patient; traversing an anchor portion of an implant through the incision and through an obturator foramen of the male patient; securing the anchor portion of the implant to a ramus of the male patient; and placing a support portion of the implant in the incision to support a urethra of the male patient.

Abstract: The invention, in some aspects, relates to methods for predicting a subject's risk of developing a glucose-related metabolic disorder, e.g., diabetes. In some aspects, the invention relates to methods for selecting and monitoring a treatment for a glucose-related metabolic disorder, e.g., diabetes.

Abstract: A method of treating urinary incontinence includes making an incision and exposing urethral tissue in a patient and employing a tool to place an implant into the incision. The method also includes coupling a first end of the implant to the tool and directing the tool and the first end of the implant through a first obturator foramen of the patient and following the same approach on a contralateral side of the patient thus suspending the implant between the first obturator foramen and the second obturator foramen of the patient. The method additionally includes elevating a urethra of the patient with a central portion of the implant, and securing the first end of the implant relative to a first descending ramus of the patient and securing the second end of the implant relative to a second descending ramus of the patient.

Abstract: An implantable sling for the treatment of male or female incontinence and method of implementing the same. The sling comprises a urethral support portion and at least one anchoring portion extending therefrom. The anchoring portion is operatively positioned through the obturator foramen and about at least one ramus portion of the pelvis such that the support portion of the implant is operatively positioned at or distal to the bulbar urethra (male) or mid-urethral region (female) to treat urinary incontinence. In a preferred embodiment, the implant will have first and second anchoring portions extending from the support portion with each respective one of said anchoring portions being operative to be secured about dedicated ones of the patient's pubic ramus. The implants may further be fabricated from tissues, synthetic materials or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Implantable devices are designed to provide support to the bulbar urethral region of a patient experiencing incontinence. Surgical methods are utilized to implant the devices, and surgical tools are utilized with the surgical methods.

Abstract: An implantable sling for the treatment of male or female incontinence and method of implementing the same. The sling comprises a urethral support portion and at least one anchoring portion extending therefrom. The anchoring portion is operatively positioned through the obturator foramen and about at least one ramus portion of the pelvis such that the support portion of the implant is operatively positioned at or distal to the bulbar urethra (male) or mid-urethral region (female) to treat urinary incontinence. In a preferred embodiment, the implant will have first and second anchoring portions extending from the support portion with each respective one of said anchoring portions being operative to be secured about dedicated ones of the patient's pubic ramus. The implants may further be fabricated from tissues, synthetic materials or combinations thereof.

Abstract: An implantable sling for the treatment of male or female incontinence and method of implementing the same. The sling comprises a urethral support portion and at least one anchoring portion extending therefrom. The anchoring portion is operatively positioned through the obturator foramen and about at least one ramus portion of the pelvis such that the support portion of the implant is operatively positioned at or distal to the bulbar urethra (male) or mid-urethral region (female) to treat urinary incontinence. In a preferred embodiment, the implant will have first and second anchoring portions extending from the support portion with each respective one of said anchoring portions being operative to be secured about dedicated ones of the patient's pubic ramus. The implants may further be fabricated from tissues, synthetic materials or combinations thereof.

Abstract: An implantable sling for the treatment of male incontinence and method of Implementing the same. The sling comprises a urethral support portion and at least one anchoring portion extending therefrom. The anchoring portion is operatively positioned through the obturator foramen and about at least one ramus portion of the pelvis such that the support portion of the implant is operatively positioned at or distal to the bulbar urethra to treat urinary incontinence. In a preferred embodiment, the implant will have first and second anchoring portions extending from the support portion with each respective one of said anchoring portions being operative to be secured about dedicated ones of the patient's pubic ramus. The implants may further be fabricated from tissues, synthetic materials or combinations thereof.