Abstract: A surgical fixation tool (10) includes at least one fixation member (12) which protrudes from a leg (16) of a proximal grasping portion (20). The at least one fixation member (12) includes a needle (28) with a sharp distal tip (29). The needle (28) protrudes distally from a support structure (30) that includes one or more sloped support surfaces (34, 36) that are sloped with respect to a needle shaft (27).

Abstract: A system that is capable of performing a fully automated ultrasonic (US) scan. The subject that is undergoing the scan associates with the system and the scan is performed without any human intervention. The US probe comprises an US transducer that is configured to generate US signals and detect their reflections, to collect acoustic data during the scan. The US probe is moved by a probe-motioning unit that is affixed and is configured to move the US probe in up to six degrees of freedom according to the desired scan pattern that is determined by a processing circuitry of the system, i.e. a control unit. Therefore, any anatomical landmark of the eye can be scanned from any desired angle. The processing circuitry is configured to control the operation of the US probe and the probe-motioning unit to execute a desired scan pattern.

Abstract: A user-controllable urinary catheter prosthesis (20) is provided for minimally-invasive insertion into a subject. The prosthesis (20) includes a proximal intra-urethral assembly (22), configured to be inserted entirely within a urethra (102) via a meatus (104). A user-activatable hydraulic activator (50) is disposed along a flexible intra-urethral catheter (30, 430), which is shaped so as to define a urinary outlet (40, 440) at a proximal end (41, 441) thereof. A distal bladder assembly (32, 132, 232, 332) is configured to be disposed in a bladder of the subject, and includes a bladder anchor (48). A hydraulic valve (60, 160, 260, 360) is configured to assume an open state, in which urine flow is allowed between the distal bladder assembly (32, 132, 232, 332) and the urinary outlet (40, 440); and a closed resting state, in which urine is entirely blocked from entering the distal bladder assembly (32, 132, 232, 332) and exiting the urinary outlet (40, 440).

Abstract: A user-controllable urinary catheter prosthesis (20) is provided for minimally-invasive insertion into a subject. The prosthesis (20) includes a proximal intra-urethral assembly (22), configured to be inserted entirely within a urethra (102) via a meatus (104). A user-activatable hydraulic activator (50) is disposed along a flexible intra-urethral catheter (30, 430), which is shaped so as to define a urinary outlet (40, 440) at a proximal end (41, 441) thereof. A distal bladder assembly (32, 132, 232, 332) is configured to be disposed in a bladder of the subject, and includes a bladder anchor (48). A hydraulic valve (60, 160, 260, 360) is configured to assume an open state, in which urine flow is allowed between the distal bladder assembly (32, 132, 232, 332) and the urinary outlet (40, 440); and a closed resting state, in which urine is entirely blocked from entering the distal bladder assembly (32, 132, 232, 332) and exiting the urinary outlet (40, 440).

Abstract: An apparatus for treating urinary incontinence, comprising: (a) a support section adapted for providing urethral support; (b) an anchoring section adapted for resisting movement of the apparatus; (c) a normally open expansion mechanism adapted to urge the support radially outwards; and (d) a conversion mechanism adapted to sharply and selectively reduce an outward urging of said support.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating urinary incontinence with a support section adapted for providing urethral support; an anchoring section for resisting movement of the apparatus; an insert, a portion of which is adapted to be positioned where the support section attaches to the node; and, wherein the insert urges the support section radially outwards from a central axis of the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating urinary incontinence, comprising: (a) a support section adapted for providing urethral support; (b) an anchoring section adapted for resisting movement of the apparatus; (c) a normally open expansion mechanism adapted to urge the support radially outwards; and (d) a conversion mechanism adapted to sharply and selectively reduce an outward urging of said support.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating urinary incontinence, comprising: (a) a support section adapted for providing urethral support; (b) an anchoring section adapted for resisting movement of the apparatus; (c) a normally open expansion mechanism adapted to urge the support radially outwards; and (d) a conversion mechanism adapted to sharply and selectively reduce an outward urging of said support.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating urinary incontinence, comprising: a node; a support section adapted for providing urethral support attached to the node; and, an anchoring section adapted for resisting movement of the apparatus attached to the node opposite the support section. Optionally, the support section is adapted to treat incontinence according to at least one of: SUTFS, colpo-elevation or colpo-distension.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating urinary incontinence, comprising: a node; a support section adapted for providing urethral support attached to the node; and, an anchoring section adapted for resisting movement of the apparatus attached to the node opposite the support section. Optionally, the support section is adapted to treat incontinence according to at least one of: SUTFS, colpo-elevation or colpo-distension.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating urinary incontinence, comprising: a node; a support section adapted for providing urethral support attached to the node; and, an anchoring section adapted for resisting movement of the apparatus attached to the node opposite the support section. Optionally, the support section is adapted to treat incontinence according to at least one of: SUTFS, colpo-elevation or colpo-distension.

Abstract: A probe apparatus adapted for movement through a lumen, comprising: a linearly extendible and retractable element adapted for selective extension and retraction to provide the movement; a front balloon positioned forward of the linearly extendible and retractable element and adapted for selective inflation and deflation; a rear balloon positioned backward of the linearly extendible and retractable element and adapted for selective inflation and deflation; and, a twisting element adapted to twist at least one of the linearly extendible and retractable element, front balloon and rear balloon during inflation and deflation of the advancement balloon.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating urinary incontinence, comprising: a support section adapted for providing urethral support; an anchoring section for resisting movement of the apparatus; an insert, a portion of which is adapted to be positioned where the support section attaches to the node; and, wherein the insert urges the support section radially outwards from a central axis of the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating urinary incontinence, comprising: a support section adapted for providing urethral support; an anchoring section for resisting movement of the apparatus; an insert, a portion of which is adapted to be positioned where the support section attaches to the node; and, wherein the insert urges the support section radially outwards from a central axis of the apparatus.

Abstract: A probe apparatus adapted for movement through a lumen, comprising: a linearly extendible and retractable element adapted for selective extension and retraction to provide the movement; a front balloon positioned forward of the linearly extendible and retractable element and adapted for selective inflation and deflation; a rear balloon positioned backward of the linearly extendible and retractable element and adapted for selective inflation and deflation; and, a twisting element adapted to twist at least one of the linearly extendible and retractable element, front balloon and rear balloon during inflation and deflation of the advancement balloon.

Abstract: A probe apparatus adapted for movement through a lumen, comprising: a linearly extendible and retractable element adapted for selective extension and retraction to provide the movement; a front balloon positioned forward of the linearly extendible and retractable element and adapted for selective inflation and deflation; a rear balloon positioned backward of the linearly extendible and retractable element and adapted for selective inflation and deflation; and, a twisting element adapted to twist at least one of the linearly extendible and retractable element, front balloon and rear balloon during inflation and deflation of the advancement balloon.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating urinary incontinence, comprising: a node; a support section adapted for providing urethral support attached to the node; and, an anchoring section adapted for resisting movement of the apparatus attached to the node opposite the support section. Optionally, the support section is adapted to treat incontinence according to at least one of: SUTFS, colpo-elevation or colpo-distension.

Abstract: A probe apparatus adapted for movement through a lumen, comprising: a linearly extendible and retractable element adapted for selective extension and retraction to provide the movement; a front balloon positioned forward of the linearly extendible and retractable element and adapted for selective inflation and deflation; a rear balloon positioned backward of the linearly extendible and retractable element and adapted for selective inflation and deflation; and, a twisting element adapted to twist at least one of the linearly extendible and retractable element, front balloon and rear balloon during inflation and deflation of the advancement balloon.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating urinary incontinence, comprising: (a) a support section adapted for providing urethral support; (b) an anchoring section adapted for resisting movement of the apparatus; (c) a normally open expansion mechanism adapted to urge the support radially outwards; and (d) a conversion mechanism adapted to sharply and selectively reduce an outward urging of said support.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating urinary incontinence, comprising: a node; a support section adapted for providing urethral support attached to the node; and, an anchoring section adapted for resisting movement of the apparatus attached to the node opposite the support section. Optionally, the support section is adapted to treat incontinence according to at least one of: SUTFS, colpo-elevation or colpo-distension.