Abstract: A blepharoplasty device includes a handle member, an elongate, curved first jaw member coupled to the handle member and having a first tissue contacting surface, and an elongate, curved second jaw member coupled to the handle member and having a second tissue contacting surface. The first and second jaw members are moveable relative to one another between a closed position and an open position to capture eyelid tissue and facilitate the cutting and subsequent reattachment of the eyelid tissue.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for delivering items into the body of a subject. The device is elongated, and includes a flexible diaphragm having a proximal face and a distal face. The diaphragm is inverted into the device to form a receptacle that holds an item to be delivered. Fluid pressure is applied against the proximal face of the flexible diaphragm to deliver the item from the receptacle and out of the delivery device into the body. In one embodiment, the device is a one-piece device having compressible walls. The diaphragm, which may be a portion of the chamber wall, invaginates within the chamber to form the receptacle. Compression of the flexible walls of the device increases pressure on a proximal face of the diaphragm to evaginate the diaphragm out of the chamber and deliver an item contained in the chamber.

Abstract: A training device is disclosed for exercising the pubococcygeal or pelvic floor muscles, for example in the treatment of incontinence. The device includes a cylindrical, deformable probe for insertion into the vagina or rectum of a user. The probe is connected to a pressure transducer, which detects the pressure applied to the probe by contraction of the pelvic floor muscles and displays a-pressure indicator to the user to help direct the contraction of the appropriate muscles. The pressure indicator may take the form of a series of nested figures, such as curves or concentric semi-circles, that incrementally converge toward a common point as pressure on the probe increases. The nested figures incrementally retreat from the common point as pressure on the probe decreases. The training unit guides a user through an exercise routine by tracking the overall exercise time and the timing between flexing and relaxation cycles.

Abstract: A blepharoplasty device includes a handle member, an elongate, curved first jaw member coupled to the handle member and having a first tissue contacting surface, and an elongate, curved second jaw member coupled to the handle member and having a second tissue contacting surface. The first and second jaw members are moveable relative to one another between a closed position and an open position to capture eyelid tissue and facilitate the cutting and subsequent reattachment of the eyelid tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to personal hydration systems. The personal hydration system comprises a first chamber, a second chamber, and a delivery tube. The delivery tube is housed within the second chamber, and one end of the delivery tube is connected to the first chamber. A retraction member is connected at one end to the first or second chamber. The other end of the retraction member is connected to the delivery tube. A user accesses the fluid in the hydration system by pulling the delivery tube out of the second chamber through an opening, drinking the fluid through a mouthpiece and then releasing the delivery tube. The retraction member automatically causes the delivery tube to be retracted back into the second chamber. The system also includes a tether for preventing the delivery tube from being pulled too far.

Abstract: A brachytherapy instrument and method is disclosed for delivering therapeutic substances such as radioactive seeds, to internal organs, such as the prostate. The instrument includes a needle (602) and stylet (604) which are capable of reciprocating relative to one another, but which can be selectively fixed against such movement. The needle (602) is loaded with radioactive seeds, and the stylet (604) advances the seeds to the distal end of the needle.

Abstract: A training device is disclosed for exercising the pubococcygeal or pelvic floor muscles, for example in the treatment of incontinence. The device includes a cylindrical, deformable probe for insertion into the vagina or rectum of a user. The probe is connected to a pressure transducer, which detects the pressure applied to the probe by contraction of the pelvic floor muscles and displays a pressure indicator to the user to help direct the contraction of the appropriate muscles. The pressure indicator may take the form of a series of nested figures, such as curves or concentric semi-circles, that incrementally converge toward a common point as pressure on the probe increases. The nested figures incrementally retreat from the common point as pressure on the probe decreases. The training unit guides a user through an exercise routine by tracking the overall exercise time and the timing between flexing and relaxation cycles.

Abstract: A training device is disclosed for exercising the pubococcygeal or pelvic floor muscles, for example in the treatment of incontinence. The device includes a cylindrical, deformable probe for insertion into the vagina or rectum of a user. The probe is connected to a pressure transducer, which detects the pressure applied to the probe by contraction of the pelvic floor muscles and displays a pressure indicator to the user to help direct the contraction of the appropriate muscles. The pressure indicator may take the form of a series of nested figures, such as curves or concentric semi-circles, that incrementally converge toward a common point as pressure on the probe increases. The nested figures incrementally retreat from the common point as pressure on the probe decreases. The training unit guides a user through an exercise routine by tracking the overall exercise time and the timing between flexing and relaxation cycles.

Abstract: A bite valve (12) for a hydration bladder (14) includes a deformable sleeve (34) and an elongate valve body (36) that is received within the deformable sleeve. The valve body includes an inlet (28) that is coupleable by a tube (26) to receive fluid (16) from the hydration bladder. The inlet has a first sealing surface (56) in sealing engagement with an inner surface of the deformable sleeve. The inlet has a flow channel (48) therethrough defined along a first axis (50). The valve body also includes an outlet (30) that is in fluid communication with the flow channel. The outlet is defined by a bulkhead flange (72) with a second sealing surface (78) that is normally in sealing engagement with the deformable sleeve. The outlet is longitudinally spaced apart from the inlet by a cylindrical stem (32). The cylindrical stem has an axis (71) that is substantially aligned with the axis of the flow channel.

Abstract: A plural-characteristic-measuring radial erectometer is described for use by a male user in connection with treatment for impotency. The erectometer includes elongate band-like structure positionable around the user's flaccid penis and constructed to form a closed loop having a desired circumference corresponding to such penis. Also described is first measurement structure such as a detachable tab formed as one end of the band-like structure, and being manually movable to a first configuration providing an indication that the penis is in the flaccid condition. The detachable tab is also radially changeable to a second configuration as a result of radial-penile forces that will occur when the penis becomes erect. Also described is second measurement structure such as an elongate strip formed as the other end of the band-like structure, and also being manually movable to a first configuration providing an indication that the penis is in the flaccid condition.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for the placement of an instrument within a body cavity which comprises a placement device including an elongate element with an exposable tissue piercing tip, a first coupling means adjacent to the tip, and means for selectively exposing the tip; and an elongate instrument for placement including a second coupling means adapted to be coupled to the first coupling means to effect an end to end coupling of said device and said instrument whereby said instrument is positioned within said body cavity. Preferably the instrument is a suprapubic instrument for placement within a bladder. A method for placement of a suprapubic instrument is also disclosed. Also shown is a method and apparatus for end-to-end instrument coupling in the context of guidewire instrument placement. End-to-end coupling is accomplished by loop and slot arrangements, a tail and collapsing loop arrangement, and a tail captured between two slidably disposed sleeves.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for the placement of an instrument within a body cavity which comprises (i) a placement device including an elongate element with an exposable tissue piercing tip, a first coupler adjacent to the tip, and a structure for selectively exposing the tip; and (ii) an elongate instrument for placement including a second coupler adapted to be coupled to the first coupler to effect an end to end coupling of the device and the instrument whereby the instrument is positioned within the body cavity. Preferably the instrument is a suprapubic instrument for placement within a bladder. A method for placement of a suprapubic instrument is also disclosed.

Abstract: Elongate flexible elements are guided into place within a tortuous body passage by providing the elements with annular guides adjacent their distal ends and sliding the elements over a guide wire extended through the passage. Column strength to move the elements through the body passage may be provided by a tubular pusher slidably received on the guide wire. The annular guides are localized at the distal ends of the members so that a plurality of members may be sequentially or simultaneously guided into place over a single guide wire.

Abstract: An open ended tubular sheath is provided with an annular guide element to facilitate placement of the sheath within a body passage. In use a guide wire is directed into the passage and the guide element is then slid over the wire to direct the sheath into the passage. Once in place, the sheath may be used to direct instruments into the passage without significant abrasion or trauma. The guide element may take the form of a loop or tube. Column strength may be provided to the sheath either by the guide element or a stiffener engaged with the element or the sheath.

Abstract: In a refillable injection device for use with a dilation catheter, a large bore syringe is used to refill a small bore syringe without disconnecting the syringe assembly from the catheter. A one-way valve prevents fluid from moving in the opposite direction. Movement of the small bore syringe plunger produces a high pressure, low volume flow and can be repeated if necessary after the small bore syringe is refilled. Subsequent movement of the large bore syringe plunger produces a low pressure, high volume flow.