Abstract: A passive artificial sphincter includes a tension member, an outer sleeve, and a connecter. The tension member has first and second ends. The outer sleeve contains the tension member and is formed of a biocompatible material. The connecter is configured to couple the first and second ends together to form an artificial sphincter ring. The artificial sphincter ring is configured for implantation around the lumen to provide passive constriction of the lumen. In a method, an artificial sphincter comprising a tension member contained within an outer sleeve is positioned around a lumen of a patient. The lumen is constricted responsive to the tension in the tension member. The passage of material through the lumen and past the artificial sphincter ring is resisted responsive to the constriction of the lumen.

Abstract: Described are various embodiments of surgical procedures, systems, implants, devices, tools, and methods, useful for treating pelvic conditions in a male or female, the pelvic conditions including incontinence (various forms such as fecal incontinence, stress urinary incontinence, urge incontinence, mixed incontinence, etc.), vaginal prolapse (including various forms such as enterocele, cystocele, rectocele, apical or vault prolapse, uterine descent, etc.), and other conditions caused by muscle and ligament weakness, the devices and tools including devices and tools for anchoring an implant to tissue.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an implant system for treating fecal incontinence are provided. The devices and systems can include a mesh or like device that can include a variable porosity to control the degree of expansion of the anal canal. The mesh can be constructed at least in part of patterned strut members allowing for various geometric configurations, with varying load and tension properties for the designated portions of the device according to the needs for a particular patient application.

Abstract: Described are various embodiments of surgical procedure systems, devices, tools, and methods, useful for treating pelvic conditions such as vaginal prolapse and other conditions caused by muscle and ligament weakness, the devices and tools being useful for accessing a posterior region of pelvic anatomy, and related methods. Such devices can include retractors, introducers, and other devices for accessing desired areas of a patient's anatomy.

Abstract: A unitary or homogeneous patterned implant is provided. The implant is constructed of patterned cells formed by way of a molding, die casting, laser etching, laser cutting, extruding, and the like. Portions of the implant can be formed into sinusoid or other waveform strut members to control and promote elongation, expansion or contraction along single or multiple axes. As such, controlled and designated stress, tension and compression distribution is promoted across specific or localized areas of the implant.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a mesh or implant system are provided for treating pelvic conditions such as incontinence, vaginal prolapsed, and other conditions caused by muscle and ligament weakness. Embodiments of the implants can include a material, substrate, configuration or coating adapted to provide immediate or timed release of various therapeutic agents or drugs to treat the surrounding tissue.

Abstract: Contraceptive and/or sterilization methods and devices are disclosed which may improve the speed of tubal occlusion and mechanisms for anchoring for a contraceptive device. In accordance with some embodiments, improvements may be made to the delivery catheter to induce trauma and create faster tubal occlusion, improvements may be made to the occlusion device to prevent migration and induce trauma, and improvements may be made to the occlusion device to reduce the total volume of in-growth required compared to conventional expansive occlusion devices.

Abstract: An occlusion device is described and depicted for occluding a body lumen. The device can comprise an occluding body member and one or more protruding portions or members disposed on the body member such that the protruding portion is provided with spacing, or surface area, to allow for tissue in-growth. The device can also comprise an expandable plug. The expandable plug may be twisted or otherwise formed into a shape, e.g., helical, in its initial deployment configuration, and untwist upon deployment.

Abstract: Contraceptive and/or sterilization methods and devices are disclosed which may improve the speed of tubal occlusion and mechanisms for anchoring for a contraceptive device. In accordance with some embodiments, improvements may be made to the delivery catheter to induce trauma and create faster tubal occlusion, improvements may be made to the occlusion device to prevent migration and induce trauma, and improvements may be made to the occlusion device to reduce the total volume of in-growth required compared to conventional expansive occlusion devices.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an implant system for treating fecal incontinence are provided. The devices and systems can include a mesh or like device that can include a variable porosity to control the degree of expansion of the anal canal. The mesh can be constructed at least in part of patterned strut members allowing for various geometric configurations, with varying load and tension properties for the designated portions of the device according to the needs for a particular patient application.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an implant system for treating fecal incontinence are provided. The devices and systems can include a mesh or like device that can include a variable porosity to control the degree of expansion of the anal canal. The mesh can be constructed at least in part of patterned strut members allowing for various geometric configurations, with varying load and tension properties for the designated portions of the device according to the needs for a particular patient application.

Abstract: Described are various embodiments of surgical procedures, systems, implants, devices, tools, and methods, useful for treating pelvic conditions in a male or female, the pelvic conditions including incontinence (various forms such as fecal incontinence, stress urinary incontinence, urge incontinence, mixed incontinence, etc.), vaginal prolapse (including various forms such as enterocele, cystocele, rectocele, apical or vault prolapse, uterine descent, etc.), and other conditions caused by muscle and ligament weakness, the devices and tools including devices and tools for anchoring an implant to tissue.

Abstract: A unitary or homogeneous patterned implant is provided. The implant is constructed of patterned cells formed by way of a molding, die casting, laser etching, laser cutting, extruding, and the like. Portions of the implant can be formed into sinusoid or other waveform strut members to control and promote elongation, expansion or contraction along single or multiple axes. As such, controlled and designated stress, tension and compression distribution is promoted across specific or localized areas of the implant.

Abstract: A unitary or homogeneous patterned implant is provided. The implant is constructed of patterned cells formed by way of a molding, die casting, laser etching, laser cutting, extruding, and the like. Portions of the implant can be formed into sinusoid or other waveform strut members to control and promote elongation, expansion or contraction along single or multiple axes. As such, controlled and designated stress, tension and compression distribution is promoted across specific or localized areas of the implant.

Abstract: A passive artificial sphincter includes a tension member, an outer sleeve, and a connecter. The tension member has first and second ends. The outer sleeve contains the tension member and is formed of a biocompatible material. The connecter is configured to couple the first and second ends together to form an artificial sphincter ring. The artificial sphincter ring is configured for implantation around the lumen to provide passive constriction of the lumen. In a method, an artificial sphincter comprising a tension member contained within an outer sleeve is positioned around a lumen of a patient. The lumen is constricted responsive to the tension in the tension member. The passage of material through the lumen and past the artificial sphincter ring is resisted responsive to the constriction of the lumen.

Abstract: Described are various embodiments of surgical procedure systems, devices, tools, and methods, useful for treating pelvic conditions such as vaginal prolapse and other conditions caused by muscle and ligament weakness, the devices and tools being useful for accessing a posterior region of pelvic anatomy, and related methods. Such devices can include retractors, introducers, and other devices for accessing desired areas of a patient's anatomy.

Abstract: A system and method of occluding a reproductive body lumen to prevent the passage of reproductive cells through body lumen is disclosed. The system can include a catheter delivery system having a handle device, a catheter operatively coupled with the handle device, and an occluding device adapted for deployment within the body lumen. The handle device can include a damper device adapted to reduce the vibration on the handle device from deployment of the occluding device from the catheter. Further, the handle device can include an indexing member operatively coupled with the catheter to provide indexing of the catheter.

Abstract: A system and method of occluding a reproductive body lumen (34) to prevent the passage of reproductive cells through body lumen is disclosed. The system can include a catheter delivery system (10) having a handle device (18), a catheter (10) operatively coupled with the handle device (20), and an occluding device adapted for deployment within the body lumen. The handle device can include a damper device adapted to reduce the vibration on the handle device from deployment of the occluding device from the catheter. Further, the handle device can include an indexing member operatively coupled with the catheter to provide indexing of the catheter.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a mesh or implant system are provided for treating pelvic conditions such as incontinence, vaginal prolapsed, and other conditions caused by muscle and ligament weakness. Embodiments of the implants can include a material, substrate, configuration or coating adapted to provide immediate or timed release of various therapeutic agents or drugs to treat the surrounding tissue.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an implant system for treating fecal incontinence are provided. The devices and systems can include a mesh or like device that can include a variable porosity to control the degree of expansion of the anal canal. The mesh can be constructed at least in part of patterned strut members allowing for various geometric configurations, with varying load and tension properties for the designated portions of the device according to the needs for a particular patient application.