Abstract: A method and system for the creation or modification of the wear surface of orthopedic joints, involving the preparation and use of one or more partially or fully preformed and procured components, adapted for insertion and placement into the body and at the joint site. In a preferred embodiment, component(s) can be partially cured and generally formed ex vivo and further and further formed in vivo at the joint site to enhance conformance and improve long term performance. In another embodiment, a preformed balloon or composite material can be inserted into the joint site and filled with a flowable biomaterial in situ to conform to the joint site. In yet another embodiment, the preformed component(s) can be fully cured and formed ex vivo and optionally further fitted and secured at the joint site.

Abstract: A kit to facilitate self-placement of an incontinence prevention device within the urethra includes a deployment base member, a deployment tube, a deployment pusher along with the incontinence prevention device in a sterile pack. The base member includes a rigid shaft of a predetermined length having a finger grip member at one end and a hook member at its opposite end. The shaft of the base member is adapted to fit through the lumen of the deployment tube with the hook projecting out from a proximal end of the deployment tube and with the hook engaging a retention loop on the incontinence prevention device when in its sterile package. Upon removal of the kit components, the deployment tube is slid off the deployment base member and, in doing so, the incontinence prevention device becomes loaded into the deployment tube. The pusher is then used to urge the incontinence prevention device from the deployment tube into the urethra.

Abstract: A method and system for the creation or modification of the wear surface of orthopedic joints, involving the preparation and use of one or more partially or fully preformed and procured components, adapted for insertion and placement into the body and at the joint site. In a preferred embodiment, component(s) can be partially cured and generally formed ex vivo and further and further formed in vivo at the joint site to enhance conformance and improve long term performance. In another embodiment, a preformed balloon or composite material can be inserted into the joint site and filled with a flowable biomaterial in situ to conform to the joint site. In yet another embodiment, the preformed component(s) can be fully cured and formed ex vivo and optionally further fitted and secured at the joint site.

Abstract: A kit to facilitate self-placement of an incontinence prevention device within the urethra includes a deployment base member, a deployment tube, a deployment pusher along with the incontinence prevention device in a sterile pack. The base member includes a rigid shaft of a predetermined length having a finger grip member at one end and a hook member at its opposite end. The shaft of the base member is adapted to fit through the lumen of the deployment tube with the hook projecting out from a proximal end of the deployment tube and with the hook engaging a retention loop on the incontinence prevention device when in its sterile package. Upon removal of the kit components, the deployment tube is slid off the deployment base member and, in doing so, the incontinence prevention device becomes loaded into the deployment tube. The pusher is then used to urge the incontinence prevention device from the deployment tube into the urethra.

Abstract: A method and system for the creation or modification of the wear surface of orthopedic joints, involving the preparation and use of one or more partially or fully preformed and procured components, adapted for insertion and placement into the body and at the joint site. In a preferred embodiment, component(s) can be partially cured and generally formed ex vivo and further and further formed in vivo at the joint site to enhance conformance and improve long term performance. In another embodiment, a preformed balloon or composite material can be inserted into the joint site and filled with a flowable biomaterial in situ to conform to the joint site. In yet another embodiment, the preformed component(s) can be fully cured and formed ex vivo and optionally further fitted and secured at the joint site.

Abstract: A method and system for the creation or modification of the wear surface of orthopedic joints, involving the preparation and use of one or more partially or fully preformed and procured components, adapted for insertion and placement into the body and at the joint site. In a preferred embodiment, component(s) can be partially cured and generally formed ex vivo and further and further formed in vivo at the joint site to enhance conformance and improve long term performance. In another embodiment, a preformed balloon or composite material can be inserted into the joint site and filled with a flowable biomaterial in situ to conform to the joint site. In yet another embodiment, the preformed component(s) can be fully cured and formed ex vivo and optionally further fitted and secured at the joint site.

Abstract: A method, and related composition and apparatus for repairing a tissue site. The method involves the use of a curable polyurethane biomaterial composition having a plurality of parts adapted to be mixed at the time of use in order to provide a flowable composition and to initiate cure. The flowable composition can be delivered using minimally invasive means to a tissue site and there fully cured provide a permanent and biocompatible prosthesis for repair of the tissue site. Further provided are a mold apparatus, e.g., in the form of a balloon or tubular cavity, for receiving a biomaterial composition, and a method for delivering and filling the mold apparatus with a curable composition in situ to provide a prosthesis for tissue repair.

Abstract: A method and system for the creation or modification of the wear surface of orthopedic joints, involving the preparation and use of one or more partially or fully preformed and procured components, adapted for insertion and placement into the body and at the joint site. In a preferred embodiment, component(s) can be partially cured and generally formed ex vivo and further and further formed in vivo at the joint site to enhance conformance and improve long term performance. In another embodiment, a preformed balloon or composite material can be inserted into the joint site and filled with a flowable biomaterial in situ to conform to the joint site. In yet another embodiment, the preformed component(s) can be fully cured and formed ex vivo and optionally further fitted and secured at the joint site.

Abstract: A method, and related composition and apparatus for repairing a tissue site. The method involves the use of a curable polyurethane biomaterial composition having a plurality of parts adapted to be mixed at the time of use in order to provide a flowable composition and to initiate cure. The flowable composition can be delivered using minimally invasive means to a tissue site and there fully cured provide a permanent and biocompatible prosthesis for repair of the tissue site. Further provided are a mold apparatus, e.g., in the form of a balloon or tubular cavity, for receiving a biomaterial composition, and a method for delivering and filling the mold apparatus with a curable composition in situ to provide a prosthesis for tissue repair.

Abstract: A method, and related composition and apparatus for repairing a tissue site. The method involves the use of a curable polyurethane biomaterial composition having a plurality of parts adapted to be mixed at the time of use in order to provide a flowable composition and to initiate cure. The flowable composition can be delivered using minimally invasive means to a tissue site and there fully cured provide a permanent and biocompatible prosthesis for repair of the tissue site. Further provided are a mold apparatus, e.g., in the form of a balloon or tubular cavity, for receiving a biomaterial composition, and a method for delivering and filling the mold apparatus with a curable composition in situ to provide a prosthesis for tissue repair.

Abstract: A method, and related composition and apparatus for repairing a tissue site. The method involves the use of a curable polyurethane biomaterial composition having a plurality of parts adapted to be mixed at the time of use in order to provide a flowable composition and to initiate cure. The flowable composition can be delivered using minimally invasive means to a tissue site and there fully cured provide a permanent and biocompatible prosthesis for repair of the tissue site. Further provided are a mold apparatus, e.g., in the form of a balloon or tubular cavity, for receiving a biomaterial composition, and a method for delivering and filling the mold apparatus with a curable composition in situ to provide a prosthesis for tissue repair.

Abstract: An instrument for achieving rapid hemostasis at the conclusion of a catheterization procedure comprising a hemostatic agent injection device for use with a conventional introducer sheath used to gain access to the blood vessel. The injection device includes an elongated tubular member having ejection ports proximate its distal end. A hub member includes an elongated groove or track located in its surface with a transparent cover. The enclosed track is sealed from the lumen extending through the tubular member with a compliant membrane and filled with a predetermined amount of fluid. After the catheterization procedure, the device is inserted into the introducer sheath. Blood flows into the lumen of the device and pulsates against the compliant membrane. The fluid in the track pulsates within the enclosed track, clearly indicating that the ports are located in the blood vessel and subjected to variations in blood pressure.

Abstract: An electrosurgical coagulation instrument specifically designed to be insertable through a cannula for use in coagulating tissue during a laparoscopic or other scope-type procedure. The instrument has both bipolar forceps jaw paddles and bipolar needle electrodes. The needle electrodes are selectively extendable from the distal end of the instrument by manipulation of a knob member in a proximal handle. The needle electrodes can be extended to thereby enter certain tissue such as a tumor to thereby effectuate desiccation thereof and a gradual shrinkage.

Abstract: A method, and related composition and apparatus for repairing a tissue site. The method involves the use of a curable polyurethane biomaterial composition having a plurality of parts adapted to be mixed at the time of use in order to provide a flowable composition and to initiate cure. The flowable composition can be delivered using minimally invasive means to a tissue site and there fully cured provide a permanent and biocompatible prosthesis for repair of the tissue site. Further provided are a mold apparatus, e.g., in the form of a balloon or tubular cavity, for receiving a biomaterial composition, and a method for delivering and filling the mold apparatus with a curable composition in situ to provide a prosthesis for tissue repair.

Abstract: A sling for supporting the urethra and neck of the bladder to prevent urinary incontinence is disclosed. The sling is designed to provide sufficient support to inhibit the unintended flow of urine, yet stretch in a controlled fashion so that the bladder can be voided at approximate times.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical cutting and coagulating instrument for cutting and coagulating tissue in open surgery. The instrument comprises a handle member from which an electrically conductive first forceps rod and an electrically conductive second forceps rod extend in opposing relationship to each other. An electrically conductive wire extends from the handle member to reside within a longitudinal lumen of the second forceps rod. The first forceps rod is partially movable proximally within the handle member wherein a movable electrical conduit resides. Proximal movement of the first forceps rod causes the rod to contact and move the conduit which, in turn, causes distal movement of the conductive wire with which the conduit is in contact. Such distal wire movement causes the distal end of the wire to extend distally from the second forceps rod.

Abstract: A device for mixing and delivering a curable biomaterial using minimally invasive techniques. The device provides a mixing path that is configured to contribute a longitudinal distance dimension to the device that is considerably less than the length of the mixing path itself. In so doing, the device can provide improved ergonomic control and single-handed operation in the course of mixing biomaterial components, in order to initiate cure, and delivering the mixed biomaterial through a delivery conduit and to a tissue site in vivo. Optional features of the device include the ability to warm the biomaterial components, to position or retract a protective sheath covering the delivery conduit, and the ability to divert or shunt an initial volume of mixed biomaterial.

Abstract: A sling for supporting the urethra and neck of the bladder to prevent urinary incontinence is disclosed. The sling is designed to provide sufficient support to inhibit the unintended flow of urine, yet stretch in a controlled fashion so that the bladder can be voided at approximate times.

Abstract: An instrument for implanting radioactive and/or thermal seeds in body tissue for radiation and/or heat therapy comprises a tubular hypodermic needle barrel affixed to a pistol-grip shaped handle incorporates a reciprocally movable push rod for stripping one such seed from a cartridge containing a plurality of seeds and advancing it to the end of the barrel. Actuation of a trigger in the pistol grip handle causes the barrel to retract relative to the push rod, causing the seed to be deposited in the channel in the body tissue created by the original puncturing thereof by the instrument's barrel.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical scissors for use in open or endoscopic surgery has a pair of opposed blade members pivotally joined to one another and to the distal end of the scissors itself by a rivet which extends through a insulated bushing member. Each of the blade members comprises a blade support and a blade itself, each fabricated from metal, such as stainless steel. The blades are affixed to their associated supports by means of a suitable adhesive or adhesive composite material such as a fiberglass reinforced epoxy exhibiting dielectric properties. Cutting is performed, steel-on-steel, without causing a short circuit between the two blade supports which themselves function as the bipolar electrodes.