Abstract: An inflated implant, such as an attenuation device, previously implanted in a urinary bladder can later be removed according to a number of different methods. Preferably, removal is accomplished transurethrally. In one embodiment, removal is accomplished by reducing the inflated implant from an enlarged profile to a reduced profile so that it may be withdrawn transurethrally by a removal system. The removal system can be configured differently depending upon whether reduction from the enlarged profile to the reduced profile is accomplished by deflation, compression, and/or other ways.

Abstract: An inflated implant, such as an attenuation device, previously implanted in a urinary bladder can later be removed according to a number of different methods. Preferably, removal is accomplished transurethrally. In one embodiment, removal is accomplished by reducing the inflated implant from an enlarged profile to a reduced profile so that it may be withdrawn transurethrally by a removal system. The removal system can be configured differently depending upon whether reduction from the enlarged profile to the reduced profile is accomplished by deflation, compression, and/or other ways.

Abstract: An inflated implant, such as an attenuation device, previously implanted in a urinary bladder can later be removed according to a number of different methods. Preferably, removal is accomplished transurethrally. In one embodiment, removal is accomplished by reducing the inflated implant from an enlarged profile to a reduced profile so that it may be withdrawn transurethrally by a removal system. The removal system can be configured differently depending upon whether reduction from the enlarged profile to the reduced profile is accomplished by deflation, compression, and/or other ways.

Abstract: Measurement of a patient's leak point pressure in the bladder can be taken by a processor in communication with a pressure catheter in the bladder. When leakage occurs pressure data points can be recorded. In some embodiments, the peak pressure can be determined based on pressure data points measured during a set time just before receiving a clinician input indicative that leakage has occurred.

Abstract: Measurement of a patient's leak point pressure in the bladder can be taken by a processor in communication with a pressure catheter in the bladder. When leakage occurs pressure data points can be recorded. In some embodiments, the peak pressure can be determined based on pressure data points measured during a set time just before receiving a clinician input indicative that leakage has occurred.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of treating a patient with benign hypertrophy of the prostate, comprising providing a compressible attenuation device that is moveable from a first, introduction configuration to a second, implanted configuration and attenuating a pressure change within the bladder by reversibly changing the volume of the attenuation device in response to the pressure change. In one embodiment, the attenuation device is advanced percutaneously into the bladder. In another embodiment, the attenuation device is positioned within the bladder to inhibit a decrease in compliance of the bladder wall as a consequence of the benign hypertrophy of the prostate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an attenuation device, comprising a flexible housing and a high vapor pressure media having a permeability of less than 1 ml/day at body temperature through the outer wall of the flexible housing. In one embodiment, the high vapor pressure media comprises perfluorooctylbromide. In another embodiment, the high vapor pressure media comprises perfluorohexane. In yet another embodiment, the high vapor pressure media comprises perfluorodecalin. Also disclosed herein is a method of treating a patient, comprising providing a compressible attenuation device and introducing within the attenuation device at least one high vapor pressure media.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of treating a patient with benign hypertrophy of the prostate, comprising providing a compressible attenuation device that is moveable from a first, introduction configuration to a second, implanted configuration and attenuating a pressure change within the bladder by reversibly changing the volume of the attenuation device in response to the pressure change. In one embodiment, the attenuation device is advanced percutaneously into the bladder. In another embodiment, the attenuation device is positioned within the bladder to inhibit a decrease in compliance of the bladder wall as a consequence of the benign hypertrophy of the prostate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an attenuation device comprising a flexible housing and a medium capable of transformation to inflate the housing from the first configuration to the second configuration. Also disclose herein are methods of treating a patient, comprising: providing a self-inflating expandable attenuation device, containing a medium which is transformable from a first, reduced volume to a second, expanded volume; positioning the attenuation device within the patient at a treatment site; and transforming the medium from the first volume to the second volume. In one embodiment, a self-inflating expandable attenuation device is used to treat glaucoma.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of treating a patient with benign hypertrophy of the prostate, comprising providing a compressible attenuation device that is moveable from a first, introduction configuration to a second, implanted configuration and attenuating a pressure change within the bladder by reversibly changing the volume of the attenuation device in response to the pressure change. In one embodiment, the attenuation device is advanced transurethrally into the bladder. In another embodiment, the attenuation device is positioned within the bladder to inhibit a decrease in compliance of the bladder wall as a consequence of the benign hypertrophy of the prostate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an attenuation device, comprising a flexible housing and a high vapor pressure media having a vapor pressure approximately equal to the intravesical pressure of the bladder and a permeability of less than 1 ml/day at body temperature through the outer wall of the flexible housing. In one embodiment, the high vapor pressure media comprises perfluorooctylbromide. In another embodiment, the high vapor pressure media comprises perfluorohexane. In yet another embodiment, the high vapor pressure media comprises perfluorodecalin. Also disclosed herein is a method of treating a patient, comprising providing a compressible attenuation device and introducing within the attenuation device at least one high vapor pressure media.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of treating a patient, comprising providing a compressible attenuation device that is moveable from a first, introduction configuration to a second, implanted configuration. The attenuation device is introduced into a treatment site. In one embodiment, the treatment site is the bladder. In another embodiment, the treatment site is the abdominal cavity. The volume of the attenuation devices changes in response to pressure changes in the treatment site and attenuates pressure changes in the bladder.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an attenuation device comprising a flexible housing and a medium capable of transformation to inflate the housing from the first configuration to the second configuration. Also disclose herein are methods of treating a patient, comprising: providing a self-inflating expandable attenuation device, containing a medium which is transformable from a first, reduced volume to a second, expanded volume; positioning the attenuation device within the patient at a treatment site; and transforming the medium from the first volume to the second volume. In one embodiment, a self-inflating expandable attenuation device is used to treat urinary tract dysfunction. In another embodiment, a self-inflating expandable attenuation device is used to treat benign hypertrophy of the prostate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices for treating symptoms of a urinary tract dysfunction having an expanded volume within the range of from about 1 cc to about 400 cc. In one embodiment, the device comprises a valve having a first membrane and a second membrane with a flow passage therebetween for filling the attenuation device. In another embodiment, the device comprises a valve for permitting the filling of the attenuation device through a filling device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an attenuation device, comprising a flexible housing and a high vapor pressure media having a vapor pressure approximately equal to the intravesical pressure of the bladder and a permeability of less than 1 ml/day at body temperature through the outer wall of the flexible housing. In one embodiment, the high vapor pressure media comprises perfluorooctylbromide. In another embodiment, the high vapor pressure media comprises perfluorohexane. In yet another embodiment, the high vapor pressure media comprises perfluorodecalin. Also disclosed herein is a method of treating a patient, comprising providing a compressible attenuation device and introducing within the attenuation device at least one high vapor pressure media.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an attenuation device, comprising a flexible housing and a high vapor pressure media having a vapor pressure approximately equal to the intravesical pressure of the bladder and a permeability of less than 1 ml/day at body temperature through the outer wall of the flexible housing. In one embodiment, the high vapor pressure media comprises perfluorooctylbromide. In another embodiment, the high vapor pressure media comprises perfluorohexane. In yet another embodiment, the high vapor pressure media comprises perfluorodecalin. Also disclosed herein is a method of treating a patient, comprising providing a compressible attenuation device and introducing within the attenuation device at least one high vapor pressure media.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices for treating symptoms of a urinary tract dysfunction having an expanded volume within the range of from about 1 cc to about 400 cc. In one embodiment, the device comprises a valve having a first membrane and a second membrane with a flow passage therebetween for filling the attenuation device. In another embodiment, the device comprises a valve for permitting the filling of the attenuation device through a filling device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of treating a patient, comprising providing a compressible attenuation device that is moveable from a first, introduction configuration to a second, implanted configuration. The attenuation device is introduced into a treatment site. In one embodiment, the treatment site is the bladder. In another embodiment, the treatment site is the abdominal cavity. The volume of the attenuation devices changes in response to pressure changes in the treatment site and attenuates pressure changes in the bladder.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an attenuation device comprising a flexible housing and a medium capable of transformation to inflate the housing from the first configuration to the second configuration. Also disclose herein are methods of treating a patient, comprising: providing a self-inflating expandable attenuation device, containing a medium which is transformable from a first, reduced volume to a second, expanded volume; positioning the attenuation device within the patient at a treatment site; and transforming the medium from the first volume to the second volume. In one embodiment, a self-inflating expandable attenuation device is used to treat urinary tract dysfunction. In another embodiment, a self-inflating expandable attenuation device is used to treat benign hypertrophy of the prostate.

Abstract: An improved shirt/sweater which is reversible and comprised of two different sides, each having fabric of different color, pattern and/or texture. The sleeves are slightly tapered and extended in length over the conventional sleeve lengths so that when simply rolled up they can automatically serve as cuffs (18). The rolled-up cuff feature, while providing extra aesthetic contrast in color, pattern and/or texture, also eliminates the need for making and using separate cuffs (12) which in any case render the extra thick sleeves (because they are two layered) unattractive by necessitating drastic tapering to accommodate them. The shirts/sweaters can further be cut in such a fashion, e.g., in the collar (22) and bottom rim (20) as to simply yet elegantly provide contrast in color, pattern and/or texture in a stylish, comfortable form.