Abstract: Suture passer systems for tissue suspension and tissue compression, and more particularly for tongue suspension, are described. The system can include at least a first elongate tubular body or shaft, a needle having a lateral bias carried by the elongate body, and a retrieval element operably connected to the elongate tubular body. The needle can have a substantially straight configuration when located within the elongate tubular body, and be configured to exit an opening at or near a distal end of the elongate tubular body and assume a laterally biased or curved shape to form a path through tissue. The needle is configured to carry a suture. The retrieval element can be configured to retrieve the suture carried by the needle after the needle has formed a curved or otherwise angled path through tissue. The system can also include one or more bone anchors to secure the suture loops. Methods of placing one or more suture loops into tissue, such as the base of the tongue, are also described.

Abstract: Suture passer systems for tissue suspension and tissue compression, and more particularly for tongue suspension, are described. The system can include at least a first elongate tubular body or shaft, a needle having a lateral bias carried by the elongate body, and a retrieval element operably connected to the elongate tubular body. The needle can have a substantially straight configuration when located within the elongate tubular body, and be configured to exit an opening at or near a distal end of the elongate tubular body and assume a laterally biased or curved shape to form a path through tissue. The needle is configured to carry a suture. The retrieval element can be configured to retrieve the suture carried by the needle after the needle has formed a curved or otherwise angled path through tissue. The system can also include one or more bone anchors to secure the suture loops. Methods of placing one or more suture loops into tissue, such as the base of the tongue, are also described.

Abstract: Synthetically produced substantially pure biologically active compounds having the general formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, alkylcycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkenyl, alkylcycloalkenyl, or cycloalkenylalkyl;R.sub.2 is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl or an amide-substituted alkyl having up to 10 carbon atoms;R.sub.3 is a cyclic, straight or branched chain hydrocarbon group having 2-12 carbon atoms, particularly --(CH.sub.2).sub.n --, wherein n is 2-12; orR.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are linked together to form an alkylene chain; andR.sub.4 is selected from ##STR2## (substituted or unsubstituted carbamimidoyl), ##STR3## (dimethylpyrimidyl), or ##STR4## (carbamyl) wherein each of R.sub.5, R.sub.6, and R.sub.7 is hydrogen or the same or different C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl group. The compounds are useful as bactericides for a wide variety of bacteria, including S.pyogenes, B.subtilis, K.pneumoniae, M.avium, B.fragilis, C.perfringens and C.albicans.