Abstract: A universal mechanical dilator combined with massaging action comprises a probe (12) consisting of a two rods (22 and 24), a drive unit (14) and an adapter (16) that connects the probe (12) to the drive unit. The instrument is intended for dilation of the urethra or other ducts of a human body and can operate in three different modes: pure dilation, pure vibration, and dilations combined with vibrations. This is achieved by using the adapter (16) as an adjustable coupling. The probe (12) together with the adapter (16) can be disconnected from the drive unit (14) and used separately as a mechanical manual dilator. At its distal end, the probe (12) has means for connecting replaceable tips (28a, 32a) used for various applications, i.e., urethral, anal, vaginal, etc. The invention also relates to a method of treatment of voiding or an orectal diseases by combining dilations with vibrations. The instrument can also be used for training sphincteric muscles.

Abstract: A vibratory device (20) for treating female voiding dysfunctions, such as urinary stress incontinence, by inserting it into a patient's urinary tract and imparting vibrations to the urethral walls and the bladder neck. The device is made in the form of a urological bougie (23) which has a distal end and a proximal end and consists of two resilient rods (26 and 28). The rods are removably interconnected at their distal ends by means of two short extensions (52a and 52b) which are inserted into a cup-shaped cavity (68). This cavity is formed at the end of a cam (66). The cam has an elliptical or oval shape and is driven into rotation from a rotary drive unit (24) through a cam shaft (64) which passes through the hole formed by grooves (54) on the mating surface of the rods. Due to the elliptical configuration of the cam, its rotation causes expansion of the rods (26 and 28).

Abstract: A cystoscope of the invention comprises a main portion (10) and a tubular sheath (12, 110) that carries on its distal end a balloon (22, 114, 214) inflatable from the outer side of the cystoscope for spreading apart the prostate lobes in the prostatic part of the urethra and thus improving conditions for observation and operation on the prostate. The invention also provides a cystoscope convertable into a resectoscope which consists of a sheath (12, 110) and an outer sleeve (112), slidingly guided over the sheath. On the outer side of its distal portion, the sliding outer sleeve (112) carries an inflatable balloon (114) which is connected to an air-feed tube (118) located inside the sheath. The outer sleeve is connected to an inner sleeve (116) which slides inside the sheath. The distal end face (110b) of the sheath is inclined at an acute angle to accommodate the inclined optical portion of the cystoscope, whereas the distal end face (116a) of the inner sleeve is arranged substantially at 90.degree.

Abstract: A combined mechanical dilator-urethrotome comprising a radially-expandable probe (12) consisting of two rods (16 and 18) of a semicircular cross-section which form a complete circle in a closed state of the probe. One of the rods (16) has a core (32) rigidly attached thereto at the proximal end of this rod and arranged at an angle to the direction of the probe. The second rod (18) has a post portion (52) at the proximal end. The post portion (52) has a central opening (51), and the aforementioned core (32) is slidingly inserted into the central opening (51). The end of the core that projects beyond the limits of the post is connected to a handle (14) that can rotate with respect to the core (32) and has a thread engageable with the mating thread on the post. As a result, rotation of the handle causes screwing or unscrewing of the thread of the handle onto or from the thread of the post. Displacement of the handle (14) with respect to the core (32) causes expansion or contraction of the probe.

Abstract: The female urinary plug (10) of the invention includes a catheter (10) with an infection-protective cap (12) fitted on the distal end (D) of the catheter insertable into the urinary bladder through the urethra (U). The catheter (10) has a soft inflatable balloon (14) on its distal end (D) and a preinflated hard balloon (18) on its proximal end (P). Prior to insertion, the inflation of the soft balloon is prevented by the inner walls of the infection-protective cap (12). The distal end of the cap (12) has a collet-like shape and is provided with expandable petal-like tongues (36a, 36b, and 36c). Normally these resilient tongues are in a closed state.

Abstract: An instrument for extracting stones from the urinary tract of a patient comprising a urological catheter (12) and a stone-extracting basket (26) formed from resilient wires and slidingly inserted into catheter (12). The instrument has a drive unit (18) which is connected to the basket via a rod (22). Drive unit (18) transmits to the rod rotation and axial vibrations, which in turn are transmitted to the basket. When rod (22) rotates, curved portion (21) generates radial vibrations which are transmitted to the basket. In order to prevent basket (26) from rotating, but to transmit to it only axial and radial vibrations, rod (24) is connected to basket (26) through a spherical joint (42). On its front end the basket has a filiform (38) which facilitates insertion of the instrument into the urinary tract. In use, after insertion of the catheter to a position in which the basket is aligned with the location of the stone, the basket is released from the catheter and expands.

Abstract: A vibratory method for treating female voiding dysfunctions by applying to the inner walls of the urethra radial expansion forces combined with axial friction forces. This improves blood circulation, trains the urethral sphincters, and produces massaging action on the urethral walls. A device for realization of the method comprises a probe (12) formed of two rods (16) and (18) and a drive unit (14). Drive unit (14) have two output elements, which reciprocate simultaneously in mutually opposite directions. Each rod (16, 18) is connected to a respective drive unit. On their inner or mating surfaces the rods have respective cams (32, 34) and curved grooves (36, 38). During reciprocation of the rods, the cams and grooves interact and thus provide radial expansions of probe (12). Massaging action is provided by serrations (40) which are formed on the outer surface of the rods and massage the inner walls of the urethra through application of friction forces.

Abstract: A mechanically-expandable urethral bougie (10) especially useful for dilation of urethral strictures comprises a probe formed from two elongated rods (12, 14) connected at their one end, the rods having a semicircular cross-section and grooves at the mating surfaces. These grooves form a guide slot 26 for a core element (28) which has wedging elements (34, 36) engageable with camming surface of the rods. The end of the probe opposite to the connected ends of the rods is provided with a drive mechanism for axial movement of core element (28). When the core elements move in the axial direction, engagement of its wedging elements (34, 36) with camming surfaces of the rods causes expansion or dilation of the probe, depending on the direction of movement. At its front end, the bougie is provided with a leader (52) of a smaller diameter and higher flexibility than the rest of the probe. The leader facilitates the insertion of the bougie into the patient's urethra.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating internal muscle and connective tissue disorders is disclosed. The method includes the steps of inserting a vibration source into a body cavity and applying vibratory massage in the form of expansions and contractions of the body cavity at a predetermined frequency. The apparatus includes a probe shaped for insertion into a body cavity, an actuator for causing the probe to expand and contract, and a mechanism for adjusting the frequency with which the probe expands and contracts.

Abstract: A vibrational method and apparatus for accelerating and increasing in efficiency of passage of stones from the ureter comprises introducing into the ureter (U) of a catheter (10) with a vibrating head (12) which imparts radial oscillations to the walls of the ureter at a distance of 0 to 30 mm from the areas where the stone (S) is lodged. Catheter (10) is a flexible tube which has a head (12) which is expandable radially and axially by means of an oscillating element (24) driven from a reciprocating vibrational drive (26). Drive (26) has a tapering end (32) which, during its reciprocations, causes expansions and constrictions of the resilient head, due to its interaction with inner projections (18) and (20). The apparatus is universal in its application and can be used without any changes for pushing the stone, located in the upper part of the ureter, back to the kidney, where the stone can be more readily disintegrated by means of subsequent extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.

Abstract: An implantable hydraulic penile erectile device comprises a pair of occlusive cuffs (32 and 34) which are surgically implanted and wrapped around respective crura (18 and 20). The cuffs have expandable domes (56) on their inner surface (54). The domes are connected, via a check valve (44) and respective tubes (36, 38, 64, and 66), to a pump-reservoir (42). The pump-reservoir and the check valves are implanted in the scrotum. The system in general is filled with a working fluid so that when the pump-reservoir is squeezed, the working fluid is shifted to the expandable domes via the check valve. Expansion of the domes squeezes the crura of the penis and hence the deep penile veins (26a and 26b). This restricts venous blood flow from the cavernous bodies, causing engorgement of the spongy tissue and thus inducing erection. For deactivation of the device, the user squeezes the check valve so that bypass channels (68 and 70) are formed therein.

Abstract: A vibrational method and apparatus for accelerating and increase in efficiency of passage of stones from the ureter comprises introducing into the ureter (U) of a catheter (10) with a vibrating head (12) which imparts radial oscillations to the walls of the ureter at a distance of 0 to 30 mm from the areas where the stone (S) is lodged. Catheter (10) is a flexible tube which has a head (12) which is expandable radially and axially by means of an oscillating element (24) driven from a reciprocating vibrational drive (26). Drive (26) has a tapering end (32) which, during its reciprocations, causes expansions and constrictions of the resilient head, due to its interaction with inner projections (18) and (20). The apparatus is universal in its application and can be used without any changes for pushing the stone, located in the upper part of the ureter, back to the kidney, where the stone can be more readily disintegrated by means of subsequent extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.

Abstract: A mechanically-expandable instrument (bougie), especially useful for treating diseases in the urethra and the neck of the urinary bladder, comprises an adjustable-speed driving unit (20) and a probe (22) composed of two rods (64) and (66) pivotally connected together at one end thereof and attached to output sliders (54, 56) of the driving unit at their other ends. Each of the rods (64) and (66) has a semicircular cross section so that in an assembled state the probe has a complete circular cross section. Reciprocations of the sliders cause expansions and contractions of the probe, thereby to stretch urethral constrictions in the radial direction and to subject the urethra and its surrounding tissue to massaging and vibrational actions which are extremely efficient for treating diseases of the urethra and the neck of the urinary bladder. Other embodiments of the rod employ cams, wedges, and threaded means for creating radial expansions and contractions of the probe.

Abstract: A mechanically-expandable instrument (bougie), especially useful for treating diseases in the urethra and the neck of the urinary bladder, comprises an adjustable-speed driving unit (20) and a probe (22) composed of two rods (64) and (66) pivotally connected together at one end thereof and attached to output sliders (54, 56) of the driving unit at their other ends. Each of the rods (64) and (66) has a semicircular cross section so that in an assembled state the probe has a complete circular cross section. Reciprocations of the sliders cause expansions and contractions of the probe, thereby to stretch urethral constrictions in the radial direction and to subject the urethra and its the surrounding tissue to massaging and vibrational actions which are extremely efficient for treating diseases of the urethra and the neck of the urinary bladder. Other embodiments of the rod employ cams, wedges, and threaded means for creating radial expansions and contractions of the probe.

Abstract: A combined bottle opener and stopper (10) comprises a metal plate (12) with side edges (14) and (16) bent downward and inwardly. A rubber pad 26 is attached to the bottom face of the plate. Teeth (38a, 38b) are formed on the inner sides of the bent edges for engagement with serrations on the periphery of the cap to be removed. These teeth allow removal of threaded crown caps by unscrewing the caps in the position of engagement between their serrations and the teeth of the opener. Bent edges (14, 16) have different heights with the difference corresponding to the pitch of the thread on a threaded bottle neck. For temporary closing the bottle, i.e., with beer or carbonated water, the device is screwed onto the threaded bottle neck as a nut until the rubber pad is tightly pressed to the upper face of the bottle to hermetically close the latter.

Abstract: A combined table and portable solar water heater comprises a suitcase-like rigid casing (20) molded from a rigid plastic material which contains a pair of solar collector panels (38) and (38a) connected in series. The panels can be exposed to solar radiation when the casing is opened. Each collector panel (38) or (38a) is formed by a copper plate with the solar radiation absorbing surface and copper pipe coil (56) or (56a) in heat-transferring relationship with said copper plate. The casing is provided with compartments (40) and (40a) for accessories, such as adjustable legs (42a, 42b, etc.) for supporting the casing, adjusting its angle to incident sunlight, and for converting the casing into a table; containers for feeding cold water to the solar collector and for receiving hot water from the collector; and a tripod stand (86) for supporting the feeding container at the level above the collector and for arranging a shower set.