Abstract: An artifical endocrine gland for supplying a hormone to a patient including an implantable housing placed in the body and having an impermeable extracorpeal segment and a semipermeable subcutaneous segment. A replaceable envelope containing live hormone-producing cells such as pancreatic islet cells is then removably positioned in the housing to provide hormones to the patient.

Abstract: A non-invasive birth control device in the form of a custom-formed, valved cervical cap is disclosed. The cervical cap comprises a cup-shaped elastomeric shell substantially complementary with contiguous surface of portio vaginalis cervicis when in contact therewith, having an aperture at the apex of the shell, and a depending skirt that is thinner than said shell and is provided with a plurality of spaced slits. The aperture is covered by an elastomeric web secured to the shell and defines, together with the shell, a one-way valve means having a discharge port offset from the aperture. The cervical cap can be fabricated from a specially designed blank of a thermoplastic elastomeric material using a replica of cervix uteri as a mold.

Abstract: A prefabricated cervical cap includes a generally dome-like flexible shell of a depth sufficient to receive therein a major portion but not all of cervix uteri and a resilient, form-assuming internal liner for the shell. The liner is integral with the shell and is deformable upon contact with cervix uteri without substantial deformation of a contiguous portion of the cervix uteri. The liner may extend beyond the shell. In a preferred embodiment the cervical cap includes a one-way valve means that accomodates the flow of a uterine discharge without need to remove the cap.