Abstract: A tool for removing non-visually, urinary tract stents placed within the urinary tract of a patient, comprising a distal end, a longitudinally-extending stem, and a handle. The distal end has a conical head with a groove for hooking a stent, stent string or similar stent configuration. The snare head may have a channel for advancing the tool through a urethra over a guide wire. The snare head has a narrow conical front end for dilating urethral strictures. The stem connects the snare head to the snare handle and is made to be flexible or bend on encountering resistance.

Abstract: A tool for removing non-visually, urinary tract stents placed within the urinary tract of a patient, comprising a distal end, a longitudinally-extending stem, and a handle. The distal end has a conical head with a groove for hooking a stent, stent string or similar stent configuration. The snare head may have a channel for advancing the tool through a urethra over a guide wire. The snare head has a narrow conical front end for dilating urethral strictures. The stem connects the snare head to the snare handle and is made to be flexible or bend on encountering resistance.

Abstract: Multiple needle biopsy instruments, guides, and systems and methods for forming and using the same are disclosed. In some embodiments, the multiple needle biopsy instrument can include a handle, a first needle and second needle, an inner core platform, an outer sheath platform, and a set of trigger mechanism controls. The first and second needles can include inner cores formed with tissue notches, and outer sheaths. The inner core and outer sheath platforms can be joined to the inner cores and outer sheaths, and coupled to inner core and outer sheath springs. The set of trigger mechanism controls can control movement of the inner core and outer sheath platforms as well as the inner core and outer sheath springs. Releasing the inner core and outer sheath springs causes the outer sheaths and inner core to eject such that tissue cut by the outer sheath is deposited into the tissue notches.

Abstract: A tool for removing non-visually, urinary tract stents placed within the urinary tract of a patient, comprising a distal end, a longitudinally-extending stem, and a handle. The distal end has a conical head with a groove for hooking a stent, stent string or similar stent configuration. The snare head may have a channel for advancing the tool through a urethra over a guide wire. The snare head has a narrow conical front end for dilating urethral strictures. The stem connects the snare head to the snare handle and is made to be flexible or bend on encountering resistance.

Abstract: Embodiments for a Mooreville Needle Introducer, and methods for using and making the same are disclosed. The Mooreville Needle Introducer can be constructed of a first part and a second part that can be joined together to form an enclosure for receiving a pusher. The first part and the second part can also be formed with pairs of complementing adapters that fasten together for secure alignment. The first part can be detached from the second part by applying force to a set of handles. When the first part and the second part are detached, they can be effectively cleansed and sterilized, eliminating any lingering bacteria.

Abstract: Urethrotome dilators for dilating a urethral stricture, and methods for forming and using the same are disclosed. In some embodiments, the urethrotome dilator includes a first distal end with a dilating head, a second proximal end with a handle, and a stem for connecting the first end to the second end. The dilating head may have a first region, a second region, and a channel for receiving a guidewire. The first region of the dilating head may have a substantially conical surface, with a vertex at its distal end and a base at its proximal end. The second region may have a substantially flat surface and a blade for stretching tissue. The blade may be integrally formed within the second region and may extend from the flat surface. The top edge of the blade may be tapered and blunt, while the two opposing sides of the blade may be formed with sharp corners for cutting tissue.

Abstract: A tool for removing non-visually, urinary tract stents placed within the urinary tract of a patient, comprising a distal end, a longitudinally-extending stem, and a handle. The distal end has a conical head with a groove for hooking a stent, stent string or similar stent configuration. The snare head may have a channel for advancing the tool through a urethra over a guide wire. The snare head has a narrow conical front end for dilating urethral strictures. The stem connects the snare head to the snare handle and is made to be flexible or bend on encountering resistance.

Abstract: A tool for removing non-visually, urinary tract stents placed within the urinary tract of a patient, comprising a distal end, a longitudinally-extending stem, and a handle. The distal end has a conical head with a groove for hooking a stent, stent string or similar stent configuration. The snare head may have a channel for advancing the tool through a urethra over a guide wire. The snare head has a narrow conical front end for dilating urethral strictures. The stem connects the snare head to the snare handle and is made to be flexible or bend on encountering resistance.

Abstract: Urethrotome dilators for dilating a urethral stricture, and methods for forming and using the same are disclosed. In some embodiments, the urethrotome dilator includes a first distal end with a dilating head, a second proximal end with a handle, and a stem for connecting the first end to the second end. The dilating head may have a first region, a second region, and a channel for receiving a guidewire. The first region of the dilating head may have a substantially conical surface, with a vertex at its distal end and a base at its proximal end. The second region may have a substantially flat surface and a blade for stretching tissue. The blade may be integrally formed within the second region and may extend from the flat surface. The top edge of the blade may be tapered and blunt, while the two opposing sides of the blade may be formed with sharp corners for cutting tissue.

Abstract: A tool for removing non-visually, urinary tract stents placed within the urinary tract of a patient, comprising a distal end, a longitudinally-extending stem, and a handle. The distal end has a conical head with a groove for hooking a stent, stent string or similar stent configuration. The snare head may have a channel for advancing the tool through a urethra over a guide wire. The snare head has a narrow conical front end for dilating urethral strictures. The stem connects the snare head to the snare handle and is made to be flexible or bend on encountering resistance.

Abstract: A tool, for forming a cavity in a corpus cavernosa of a penis, includes a distal end (14), a longitudinally-extending cutting surface (16), and a main body portion (18). The cutting portion may be cylindrical or tapered, and may contain more than one longitudinally disposed cutting surface (24). The tool may be made from stainless steel, or may include plastic portions. A method using the invention includes the steps of making an incision in the side of the penis adjacent the corpus cavernosa, and inserting the distal end of the tool into the spongy tissue, to define a cavity. If fibrous or resistant tissue is encountered, the cutting portion is brought adjacent the region, and the tool either moved axially to cut the tissue, or rotated about its longitudinal axis (8) to cut or shave the tissue. Multiple tools of a kit of tools may be sequentially inserted to expand the cavity to the desired dimension.

Abstract: A penile prosthesis includes a rotary pump for pressurizing a bag or chamber within the penis. The rotary pump includes a magnetically active rotor which, in one embodiment, is located within the penis, which can be made to spin by a rotary magnetic field generator. The rotary magnetic field generator may be similar to those used in conjunction with brushless DC motors, or it may be a permanent magnet spun about an axis. In operation of one embodiment, the magnetic field generator surrounds the penis at a location near the rotor. The rotor drives an impeller or blades which pressurize fluid from a reservoir, and tends to pressurize the bag or chamber to thereby render the penis rigid. A valve arrangement prevents loss of pressure when the rotating field is removed. In one embodiment, the valve arrangement includes a spring-operated check valve in conjunction with another valve, and in another embodiment, a single centrifugally-operated valve performs the same function.