Abstract: Incontinence systems and methods for directing treatment to a target tissue of a patient comprise a guide having a first palpation member and a probe body having a treatment zone and a second palpation member. The guide is configured to be inserted into a urethra of the patient. The first palpation member is positioned in a fixed relationship to an anatomical landmark, such as a bladder neck. The probe body is configured to be inserted into a vagina of the patient. The second palpation member is registered proximal the first palpation member so as to position the treatment zone of the probe adjacent the target tissue of the patient and away from the nerves and/or tissues in the area of the bladder neck and bladder.

Abstract: Noninvasive methods for therapeutically heating a collagenous target tissue of a pelvic support system to a desired temperature range are provided. Energy can be delivered to the target tissue via an applicator device having a plurality of spaced electrodes. The spaced electrodes are selectively activated in accordance with treatment groupings defined by input parameters generally associated with “standard” or “short” treatment modes. These treatment modes can correspond to the urethral length of the target tissue.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods can treat incontinence by heating between about 100 and about 800 cubic millimeters of endopelvic fascia for sufficient time to effect substantial collagenous tissue shrinkage. A probe body may directly engage the endopelvic fascia, or may be separated from the endopelvic fascia, heating through (for example) the vaginal wall. In either case, tissue-penetrating electrodes may be inserted from the probe body so as to heat the endopelvic fascia.

Abstract: Systems, software, devices, and methods are disclosed for therapeutically heating a collagenous structural support tissue within a pelvic support system of a patient body. The present invention may monitor the delivery of energy and dynamically adjust the delivery of energy during the treatment so that an actual treatment time for reaching a target temperature falls within a desired treatment time range of reaching the target temperature. The present invention may also dynamically adjust the power level after the target temperature has been reached so that the tissue is held at the target temperature for a desired dwell time.

Abstract: Noninvasive methods for therapeutically heating a collagenous structural support tissue of a pelvic support system to a desired temperature range are provided. One method comprises delivering energy to the structural support tissue to heat the tissue to the desired temperature range by ramping up a power level for a first period of time. A first constant high power level is then maintained for a second period of time. The power level is then ramped down for a third period of time. A second constant lower power level is then maintained for a fourth period of time. This power application treatment yields a favorable heat treatment maximizing predictability and efficacy while maintaining sufficient levels of safety. Further, such open loop power algorithms advantageously provide control without the need for subsidiary tissue temperature feedback measurements from sensors or tissue penetrating needles.

Abstract: Incontinence systems and methods for directing treatment to a target tissue of a patient comprise a guide having a first palpation member and a probe body having a treatment zone and a second palpation member. The guide is configured to be inserted into a urethra of the patient. The first palpation member is positioned in a fixed relationship to an anatomical landmark, such as a bladder neck. The probe body is configured to be inserted into a vagina of the patient. The second palpation member is registered proximal the first palpation member so as to position the treatment zone of the probe adjacent the target tissue of the patient and away from the nerves and/or tissues in the area of the bladder neck and bladder.

Abstract: Devices and methods for aligning a probe body and a treatment surface adjacent a target tissue. A guide shaft can be positioned in a first body orifice. The probe body can be positioned in a second body orifice in a predetermined position relative to the guide so as to position the treatment surface adjacent the target tissue.

Abstract: Systems, software, devices, and methods are disclosed for therapeutically heating a collagenous structural support tissue within a pelvic support system of a patient body. The present invention may monitor the delivery of energy and dynamically adjust the delivery of energy during the treatment so that an actual treatment time for reaching a target temperature falls within a desired treatment time range of reaching the target temperature. The present invention may also dynamically adjust the power level after the target temperature has been reached so that the tissue is held at the target temperature for a desired dwell time.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods can treat incontinence by heating between about 100 and about 800 cubic millimeters of endopelvic fascia for sufficient time to effect substantial collagenous tissue shrinkage. A probe body may directly engage the endopelvic fascia, or may be separated from the endopelvic fascia, heating through (for example) the vaginal wall. In either case, tissue-penetrating electrodes may be inserted from the probe body so as to heat the endopelvic fascia.

Abstract: Devices and methods for aligning a probe body and a treatment surface adjacent a target tissue. A guide shaft can be positioned in a first body orifice. The probe body can be positioned in a second body orifice in a predetermined position relative to the guide so as to position the treatment surface adjacent the target tissue.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are shown for controlling a weighing machine in which product is fed into one end a vibratable pan of a vibratory feeder and is discharged from the other end, for example into a weigh bucket. In a first embodiment, the amplitude of vibration of a pan is measured and is compared to a desired amplitude. The measured amplitude is compared to a desired amplitude, and the amplitude of vibration is adjusted by modifying an input signal to a vibrator attached to the pan until the measured amplitude equals the desired amplitude. In a second embodiment, a mechanism is included to stop the loading of product into a pan when a predetermined amount of product has been discharged from a pan into a weigh bucket, and the weight of product in the pan is monitored as additional product is discharged into the weigh bucket Only a preselected additional weight of product is subsequently discharged into the weigh bucket.

Abstract: The vibratory feeder utilizes a releasable attachment mechanism for connecting a feed tray to a vibrator for ease of removal and installation. The attachment mechanism has a first coupling in the form of z-blocks which when pressed together align the feed tray with the vibrator and firmly affix the tray against motion toward and away from the vibrator at the coupling. A second coupling displaced from the first coupling utilizes two pin blocks which are locked together by two press-fit pins. The pin blocks, when locked together, firmly fix the feed tray to the vibrator at the second coupling and simultaneously press the Z-blocks together at the first coupling.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are shown for controlling a weighing machine in which product is fed into one end a vibratable pan of a vibratory feeder and is discharged from the other end, for example into a weigh bucket. In a first embodiment, the amplitude of vibration of a pan is measured and is compared to a desired amplitude. The measured amplitude is compared to a desired amplitude, and the amplitude of vibration is adjusted by modifying an input signal to a vibrator attached to the pan until the measured amplitude equals the desired amplitude. In a second embodiment, a mechanism is included to stop the loading of product into a pan when a predetermined amount of product has been discharged from a pan into a weigh bucket, and the weight of product in the pan is monitored as additional product is discharged into the weigh bucket. Only a preselected additional weight of product is subsequently discharged into the weigh bucket.

Abstract: A combination weighing machine has a plurality of weigh scales for weighing quantities of product, and the scales are selectively dumped and loaded in a cyclic operation to form a package containing a number or weight of product that closely approximates a target amount. The machine includes a plurality of feeders and corresponding accumulators that are associated respectively with the scales for loading product into the scales after they are dumped. To ensure a more accurate feeding of product to a scale, a sensor is provided for detecting the pieces of product as they are loaded into the associated accumulator from a feeder, and the feeder is regulated in accordance with the pieces of product detected to control the duration of feeder operation.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating and sorting articles that are supplied in bulk employs a series of vibratory feeders for generating a stream of the articles and gradually reducing the size of the stream for discharging the articles one by one into an accumulator. Individual articles are dispensed alternately from the accumulator to a pair of weigh scales which supply weight data to a controller for classifying each article in accordance with its weight. The individual articles are released from the weigh scales onto a conveyor where the articles are tracked and then sorted into a series of collectors according to their weight.

Abstract: A novel combination weigher for producing a product charge of precise weight by combining the contents of a plurality of scales each of which contains a portion of the product charge is characterized by an auxiliary or standby weighing scale or hopper which provides a product charge if a controller determines that there is no combination of the scales which will provide a product charge within a specified weight range.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing a blended product charge includes a combinatorial weigher which receives a major product and a fill-to-cutoff weigher which receives a minor product. A controller selects a minor constituent product weight and then combinatorially searches through available major constituent product weighing scales for the combination of major product weighing scales which together with the minor product weighing scale yields a product charge nearest in weight to a target weight.

Abstract: A vertical form, fill and seal packaging machine is characterized by a sealing apparatus which provides for variable sealing jaw displacement having an externally selectable magnitude. The sealing apparatus also includes a displacement sensor for providing feedback signals indicative of a measured sealing jaw displacement.

Abstract: A combination weighing machine produces a weight of product closely approximating a target weight by selecting a combination of lesser weights from a plurality of weigh scales and discharging the selected combination into a container or packaging machine. Each weigh scale has multiple bins for weighing and discharging multiple quantities of product respectively, and a single weight sensor. The weight of product in each bin is determined separately by delivering product to one bin at a time and measuring the change in the aggregate weight of product on the scale after each delivery. The weights determined for each bin are stored and are used in searching for and selecting an acceptable combination for discharge.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing a metal detector is incorporated in a combination weighing system where the metal detector is located to monitor product as it passes through a discharge chute of the combination weighing machine into a package. The apparatus includes a computer programmable by an operator to initiate a metal detector test operation. Upon such initiation, the computer holds out a first one of the scales from one or more subsequent combination searches while a metal test object is deposited in a first scale. Then the computer performs a combination search of the scales to select a test combination which includes the first scale and other scales as needed to achieve the target weight, discharges the selected combination and monitors the output of the metal detector or determine if it is working. Related methods are also disclosed.