Abstract: An apparatus includes an elongated member configured for transoral placement into a stomach, and a distal end effector including first and second members configured to engage stomach tissue, e.g., tissue beyond the: esophageal junction. The first and second members are movable relatively toward one another generally in a first plane, and the distal end effector is movable relative to the elongated member in a second plane generally transverse to the first plane. A third member of the distal end effector is configured to engage stomach tissue. The third member is movable in a distal direction relative to the first and second members. A tissue securement member of the apparatus is coupled to at least one of the first and second members for securing together tissue engaged thereby.

Abstract: A medical instrument for engaging tissue includes a flexible shaft, a tissue piercing coil at a distal portion of the shaft, and a tissue stabilizer positioned over the shaft and biased in a distal direction such that as the tissue piercing coil enters tissue, the tissue stabilizer is urged against a surface of the tissue. A medical instrument for reconfiguring tissue includes a flexible shaft defining a lumen housing actuating controls, and a distal actuating assembly with a sealing portion configured to substantially seal the shaft lumen from contact with bodily fluids. A cartridge assembly includes first and second members configured for releasable attachment to a medical instrument, and a holder configured to receive the first and second members and to be released from the first and second members upon action of the first and second members attaching to the medical instrument.

Abstract: A urinary continence device for males, having a body to cover and seal the urethra of the wearer and capable of conformably securing to the penis of the wearer. In the preferred embodiment, the body has a substantially hemispherical configuration and is sized to cover the glans penis. One or more adhesives may be used to adhere the device to the penis and the one or more adhesives may be in a continuous or discontinuous layer. The device may additionally include a locating member to assist in placement and may provide additional sealing properties. In use, the body seals the urethra so as to prevent urine leakage. To void, the wearer simply removes the device, and reapplies the device or a new device when evacuation is complete.

Abstract: A suture anchor and anchor driver device for securely and accurately positioning and installing the suture anchor in place. The anchor has a rounded or pointed head and one or more ridges around it to help force fit the anchor into a hole and to hold it in place. A suture is positioned through the anchor for subsequent use during the surgical procedure. The driver device has a handle and an elongated shaft and is used to position and install the anchor in place. The anchor preferably snap fits onto the end of the shaft. A depth guide can be integrally or removably positioned on the shaft to ensure correct depth of placement. Alternately, the driver shaft is hollow and the anchor is positioned inside it and is implanted with a pusher member. The ends of the suture are affixed to the driver handle. Grooves can be provided on the driver and the anchor to prevent the suture from interfering with the positioning and installation procedure.

Abstract: A locking mechanism having a locking element carried by one or more strands of suture material. One end of the suture is attachable to an anchor having a slot extending from a trailing end of the anchor toward a leading end. A portion of the suture is at least partially disposable in the slot. A separate locking member engages the locking element to secure tissue relative to the anchor.

Abstract: A suture anchor and anchor driver device for securely and accurately positioning and installing the suture anchor in place. The anchor has a rounded or pointed head and one or more ridges around it to help force fit the anchor into a hole and to hold it in place. A suture is positioned through the anchor for subsequent use during the surgical procedure. The driver device has a handle and an elongated shaft and is used to position and install the anchor in place. The anchor preferably snap fits onto the end of the shaft. A depth guide can be integrally or removably positioned on the shaft to ensure correct depth of placement. Alternately, the driver shaft is hollow and the anchor is positioned inside it and is implanted with a pusher member. The ends of the suture are affixed to the driver handle. Grooves can be provided on the driver and the anchor to prevent the suture from interfering with the positioning and installation procedure.

Abstract: A bone anchor, for securing a suture to a bone, has an open proximal end and a body that tapers to a solid distal tip. The anchor is placed deep in a borehole in a bone using an insertion instrument that is inserted through the open proximal end of the anchor. The tip of the instrument is a spherical knob that snaps into a corresponding recess inside the anchor. The instrument has an oval cross-section that does not bear against the walls of the anchor during insertion. Once the anchor is in place, however, the anchor is expanded by rotating the instrument to bring the exterior of the instrument into contact with the walls of the anchor. The anchor is free to pivot about the spherical knob on the instrument, which allows the anchor to orient itself to the shape and size of the borehole.

Abstract: A bone anchor (10) for securing a suture to a bone (38). The bone anchor (10) has a tip (16) at its distal end (18) and at least one resilient wall (27) extending to a trailing end (20) of the body (12) of the anchor. The wall (27) has a ridge (14), or barb, formed on an outer surface. The ridge (14) defines an edge (34) that digs into a hole (36) in the bone (38) in which it is positioned. A strand of suturing thread (22) extends through a suture receiving opening (24) in the tip (16) of the anchor. The method of the present invention employs the suture anchor (10) and includes the steps of forming a hole (36) in a bone (38) and inserting the suture anchor (10) to a desired depth in the hole (36) in the bone (38) using an inserter device (100). Suturing thread ( 22) extends from the suture receiving opening (24) in the tip and along the length of the walls (27,28) out of the hole (36) in the bone (38). An anchor spreader (130) is used to firmly seat the anchor (10) in the hole (36).

Abstract: An anchor and anchor driver device for securely and accurately positioning and installing a bone (suture) anchor in place are disclosed. The bone anchor has a rounded or pointed head and a series of ridges around it which are used to help force fit the anchor into a hole and to hold it in place. A suture is positioned through the anchor for subsequent use during the surgical procedure. The driver device has a handle and elongated shaft and is used to position and install the anchor in place. The anchor snap fits onto the end of the shaft over an anti-rotation pin which mates with slots in the anchor. The ends of the suture are affixed to the driver handle. Means are provided on the driver to prevent the suture from interfering with the positioning and installation procedure.

Abstract: A suture anchor (10) for securing a suture (20) to body tissue (38) in an athroscopic surgical procedure. The suture anchor is an elongatyed tubular member (12) having first and second ends (14,16). The distal or terminal end (24) of the suture is secured to the first or leading end (14) of the suture anchor (10) with the suture (20) extending through the suture anchor (10). A slot (18) is formed on the suture anchor (10) which extends from the second or trailing end (16) of the suture anchor (10) toward the leading end (14) of the suture anchor (10). The suture anchor (10) is inserted in a first position with the suture (20) extending through the suture anchor (10) from the leading end (14) of the suture anchor (10) to the trailing end (16).

Abstract: A bone anchor (10) for securing a suture to a bone (38). The bone anchor (10) has a tip (16) at its distal end (18) and at least one resilient wall (27) extending to a trailing end (20) of the body (12) of the anchor. The wall (27) has a ridge (14), or barb, formed on an outer surface. The ridge (14) defines an edge (34) that digs into a hole (36) in the bone (38) in which it is positioned. A strand of suturing thread (22) extends through a suture receiving opening (24) in the tip (16) of the anchor. When tension is applied to the suturing thread (22), it causes the ridge (14) to dig into the walls of the hole (36) in the bone (38). Two resilient walls (27,28) are preferably provided which include an annular ridge-shaped barb (14). The two resilient walls 27, 28 scissor outwardly upon application of tension to the suturing thread. The tip (16) is generally frustoconical with a rounded leading end.

Abstract: A tubular upstanding wall of a predetermined height and defining a central aperture has an integrally formed, inwardly facing flange on its upper end, and an integrally formed, outwardly facing flange on its lower end. The inwardly facing flange has a sharpened cutting edge thereby forming a razor blade. One or more razor blades are positioned through apertures in a top member and the outwardly facing flange cooperates with the lower face of the top member to control the vertical position of each razor blade.

Abstract: A safety razor assembly is provided comprising a plurality of stacked discrete shaving elements. Each of the shaving elements contains a shaving head mounted in an upwardly facing enclosure, and wall structure forming a downwardly facing cavity for receiving the shaving head enclosure of another shaving element in interfitting engagement therewith. The assembly comprises a sufficient quantity of elements that, when stacked one upon the other, form a gripping handle which is employed when using the topmost shaving head in the shaving process. An overcap is provided having an upwardly projecting protuberance with side wall dimensions equal to those of each shaving head enclosure and a downwardly facing cavity having interal dimensions equal to those of each shaving head cavity.

Abstract: A plurality of individual thin-walled generally disk-shaped blades are resiliently mounted in an elastomeric pad. The elastomeric pad, with its individually mounted blades, is disposed over a flexible sponge-like member. The shaving device is flexible and maintains maximum skin contact regardless of the contour of the area being shaved by providing that each individual blade is independently movable with respect to the other blades.