Abstract: In a sterilization method a plethora of magnetizable metal particles are deposited into a uterus of a living female organism. Subsequently, a magnet is placed near an external skin surface of the female organism near the uterus to thereby cause at least some of the metal particles to embed in a myometrium or endometrium of the uterus. The metal particles may be magnetized prior to deposition in the uterus. The particles are advantageously formed to have a sharp end which easily penetrates into the uterine lining. Each particle is magnetized so that the sharp end has a predetermined magnetic pole, whereby a magnet with the opposite pole placed against the organism results in an embedding of the sharp end in the uterine lining. In addition, microwave radiation is optionally transmitted into the female organism in a region about the uterus after the embedding of the metal particles in the myometrium or endometrium.

Abstract: In a method for removing a myoma, an antenna electrode is placed into a patient so that the antenna electrode is in contact with the patient's uterus. A cutting electrode is also inserted into the patient and placed into contact with uterine tissues about a myoma. The antenna electrode and the cutting electrode are energized with radio frequency energy so that the cutting electrode cuts through the uterine tissues.

Abstract: In a method for removing a myoma, an antenna electrode is placed into a patient so that the antenna electrode is in contact with the patient's uterus. A cutting electrode is also inserted into the patient and placed into contact with uterine tissues about a myoma. The antenna electrode and the cutting electrode are energized with radio frequency energy so that the cutting electrode cuts through the uterine tissues.

Abstract: A clothing material comprises a first fabric layer connected to a tear-resistant second layer. The second layer includes a plurality of first threads extending generally parallel to one another in a first direction and a plurality of second threads extending generally parallel to one another in a second direction different from the first direction. The threads all extend substantially in a common plane. The first threads are all connected to each of the second threads at cross-over points between the first threads and the second threads. A third layer of fabric is attached to the second layer of the material on a side thereof opposite the first layer. The threads of the intermediate, tear-resistant layer may be interconnected by a plurality of connecting thread segments tied in knots about the cross-over points.

Abstract: In a pelvic or peritoneal surgical method, a funnel shaped membrane is inserted in a closed configuration through a laparoscopic trocar sleeve into the abdominal cavity of a patient. The membrane is spread from the closed configuration to an opened configuration upon emergence of the membrane into the abdominal cavity. The opened membrane and an internal organ of the patient are then positioned relative to one another so that the organ is disposed essentially vertically above the opened membrane. Upon proper positioning, the organ is subjected to a laparoscopic surgical operation while the organ is disposed above the opened membrane, whereby tissue particles and fluid escaping the organ during the operation fall into the opened membrane. The membrane and collected tissue particles and fluid are removed from the abdominal cavity upon termination of the operation.

Abstract: A laparoscopic suturing device includes an elongate shaft having a distal end and a proximal end and an arcuate tissue piercing element permanently fixed to the shaft at the distal end, the arcuate tissue piercing element lying in a plane disposed substantially transversely to the shaft. The tissue piercing element is provided at a free end, spaced from the shaft, with an eyelet, and the device has a suture thread extending through the eyelet. A distal end portion of the device is inserted through a laparoscopic trocar sleeve and the shaft of the device is turned in one direction to insert the tissue piercing element with a first end portion of the suture thread into internal tissues of the patient, a second end portion of the suture thread remaining disposed outside the patient. The first end portion of the suture thread is grasped upon insertion through the tissues and then the shaft of the suturing device is turned in the opposite direction to remove the tissue piercing element from the internal tissues.

Abstract: A medical method comprises the steps of scanning a female patient in a pelvic region to obtain electrically encoded data specifying the patient's pelvic structure, stacking a series of transparent sheets, and during the step of stacking, depositing a hardenable opaque liquid substance on the sheets in accordance with the electrically encoded data to form a three-dimensional model of the patient's pelvic structure. Also during the step of stacking, the liquid substance is subjected, upon deposition thereof on the sheets, to an energy tending to cure the liquid substance. The sheets are bonded to one another to form a substantially unitary body incorporating the model.

Abstract: A laparoscopic surgical device comprises an elongate shaft having a plurality of electrically conductive flexible ribs connected to the distal end of the shaft and to one another to form a cage or basket. Upon placement of an organic body in the cage, the ribs are electrically energized. The organic body is pressed against the ribs to dissect the ribs in a single cauterization operation.

Abstract: In a method for closing a ressection in muscular tissues, distal ends of two surgical instruments are juxtaposed to a muscular organ on opposite sides thereof. The organ is compressed between the distal ends of the instruments by moving those distal ends towards one another. Subsequently, a tack is ejected from one instrument through the ressected region of the organ towards the other instrument so that an end of the tack projects beyond the organ. Then, a locking element is positioned on or attached to the projecting end of the tack. The entire operation can be performed laparoscopically, when the ressected organ is the uterus.

Abstract: In a laparoscopic surgical closure method, a distal end portion of a laparoscopic instrument is inserted into an abdominal cavity of a patient through a trocar sleeve disposed in an abdominal wall of the patient. A surgical device such as a clip or a suture having two portions made of polymeric material is applied to an organic structure inside the patient. The instrument is manipulated to place the bonding component in operative contact with the surgical device upon application of the surgical device to the organic structure. Subsequently, the bonding component is operated to bond the two portions of the surgical device to one another to lock the surgical device to the organic structure. The bonding component at the distal end of the laparoscopic instrument may include a heat exchanger and/or an ultrasonic transducer.

Abstract: In a method for removing a myoma, a distal end portion of a tubular member is inserted through laparoscopic trocar sleeve disposed in the patient's abdomen. The distal end portion of the tubular member is inserted into the myoma tissues to form a core thereof inside the tubular member. The myoma core is fragmented via an energizable laparoscopic instrument and the fragments are aspirated from the tubular coring member. The tubular member may be provided along a distal edge with a cauterizing element for facilitating the insertion of the distal end portion of the tubular member into the myoma.

Abstract: In a method for use in peritoneal or pelvic surgery on a female patient, a trocar sleeve is positioned in the vagina of the patient so that the sleeve traverses a portion of a vaginal wall located behind the cervix of the patient and so that distal end portion of the sleeve penetrates to the pouch of Douglas. The membrane is then inserted in a closed configuration through the sleeve and the pouch of Douglas into a peritoneal cavity of the patient and is spread from the closed configuration to an opened configuration upon emergence into the pertioneal cavity. Subsequently, the opened membrane and an internal organ of the patient are positioned relative to one another so that the organ is disposed essentially vertically above the opened membrane. Upon the proper positioning, the organ is operated on while it is disposed above the opened membrane, whereby tissue particles and fluid escaping the organ during the operation fall into the opened membrane.