Abstract: An instrument for the penetration of tissue, including a backstop assembly having a shaft and a backstop; and a penetration member slidingly engaged with the backstop shaft, and configured for penetrating tissue. The backstop assembly and the penetration member are configured such that the backstop may be positioned adjacent tissue to be penetrated, such that as the penetration member is urged through the tissue along the backstop shaft, the backstop will limit the depth of penetration of the penetration member through the tissue. A method of using this instrument is also provided.

Abstract: A method of treating urinary incontinence in a patient by: providing a pressure monitor probe comprising a catheter having a pressure responsive region and a distal portion, the pressure responsive region spaced a predetermined distance from the distal portion; inserting the pressure monitor probe into the patient's urethra such that the distal portion is positioned in the patient's bladder adjacent the UVJ, thereby positioning the pressure responsive region of the catheter within the urethra a predetermined distance from the UVJ; and surgically modifying the pressure applied against the urethra while monitoring the pressure applied against the urethra using the probe. An intraurethral pressure monitor probe and an intraurethral pressure monitoring assembly are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for implantation of an embryo by a flexible delivery catheter onto a pre-selected optimum site on the endometrium of a female uterus. The method comprises the steps of securing the embryo onto the endometrium of the uterus with an adhesive carried by a distal end of the flexible catheter, and depositing the embryo in a medium of Hyaluronic Acid prior to its disposition onto the endometrium of the uterus. The method also includes the steps of positioning the flexible delivery catheter within the uterus, under the guidance of a flexible visualization device carried by the catheter, and arranging a plurality of lumens within the catheter to permit the introduction of the adhesive medium through one lumen, and the visualization device through another of the lumens, to permit the delivery site selection.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an apparatus and method for the application of a treatment medium to the intrauterine cavity of a female. The method includes the steps of introducing a first pressurizable chamber within a intrauterine cavity of a female; introducing a second pressurizable chamber readily outwardly of the first pressurizable chamber; filling the first pressurizable chamber with a treatment medium; and filling the outer pressurizable chamber with a pressurizable fluid, so as to affect discharge of the treatment medium from the innermost first pressurizable chamber over an extended period of time. The method includes the step of introducing the treatment medium into the first pressurizable chamber through an elongated catheter. The treatment medium may be comprised of a medicament or of spermatozoa for insemination of the female.

Abstract: A template for guiding the placement of a fixation device during a surgical procedure. The template comprises:(a) a body portion; and(b) at least one guide disposed in a predetermined spacial relationship to the body portion;wherein the template is configured such that at least a portion of the template may be aligned within the vagina of a patient such that the guide may be employed to direct the placement of a fixation device or other medical instrument through at least a portion of the tissue adjacent the vagina. A surgical method employing this template is also provided, along with an urethral sling used in conjunction with one embodiment of the template.

Abstract: The present invention covers a method for the emplacement of an embryo against an endometrium wall of a uterus. The method comprises the steps of: placing the embryo onto a balloon; inserting the balloon into a uterus; inflating the balloon in the uterus, so as to expand the balloon and the embryo thereon against the endometrium for implantation in the uterus. The invention also includes an apparatus for the emplacement of that embryo against an endometrium wall of a uterus. The apparatus includes a balloon having an outer surface for the receipt of an embryo thereon, a hollow inserter tube having a proximal and a distal end, and an optical fiber viewing device movably arranged within the hollow inserter tube. The balloon is arranged on the distal end of the inserter tube. A cavity is arranged adjacent the distal end of the inserter tube, for receipt of a portion of the balloon during insertion of the balloon on the inserter tube into a uterus.

Abstract: A tiltable table has a pneumatic actuator and a locking system for establishing and maintaining a table position. The locking system is operated by an air cylinder that engages a dog with a ratchet plate secured to the table. The ratchet permits the table to be raised but not lowered while locked. The ratchet must be unlocked before the table can be lowered. The dog is spring-biased to locking position, and is air-operated for release against the action of the biasing spring. On lowering the table, air from the actuator can be used to unlock the ratchet. The air can be permitted to escape through a restriction orifice at a slow enough rate to maintain sufficient air pressure to keep the locking system disengaged, but sudden release of all the air pressure will again permit the spring to re-lock the system to prevent a downward slamming of the table surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a suture is provided. The apparatus comprises a housing having at least one groove therein; and a knife moveable between retracted and extended positions, and positioned within the housing such that the knife passes through the groove as it is moved from the retracted position to the extended position, thereby cutting a suture positioned within the groove. A suture retainer for preventing a suture from escaping the groove prior to the cutting step is also provided. A method of cutting a pair of suture tails extending from a knot is also provided.

Abstract: A surgical method for performing laparoscopic urethropexy on a patient is provided. This surgical method comprises the steps of dissecting at least a portion of the space of Retzius in the patient, laparoscopically creating a bore in the pubic bone adjacent the space of Retzius, providing at least one anchor having at least one suture extending therefrom, laparoscopically inserting the anchor in the bore such that the anchor is thereby secured in the bore, and securing the suture to the periurethral tissue adjacent to the urethra to thereby elevate the urethra to the desired angle. The suture is secured to the periurethral tissue by pulling the suture through the periurethral fascia and vaginal mucosa into the vagina, and tying the suture within the vagina. A drill tamper tool for laparoscopically creating the bore in the pubic bone is also provided, along with an anchor-insertion tool, a loaded anchor-insertion tool, and a surgical kit comprising the drill tamper tool and the anchor-insertion tool.

Abstract: An anchor securable within a bore created in bone is provided. The anchor comprises: a body having a longitudinal axis, and proximal and distal ends; at least three wing members extending outwardly from, and secured to the body, each of the wing members capable of being elastically flexed from a normal deployed position to a compressed position, each of the wing members further having an external end positioned away from the body, at least a portion of the external ends of the wing members substantially aligned along a first imaginary plane extending through the body at an angle to a transverse cross-section through the body, this transverse cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body; and an aperture positioned adjacent the proximal end of the body. An anchor-insertion tool, a loaded anchor-insertion tool, and a surgical kit are also provided.

Abstract: A suture retrieval tool for use in a laparoscopic urethropexy procedure is provided. The suture retrieval tool comprises a retrieving end and a handle. The retrieving end has a rigid, rod-like shaft and a sharp tip capable of penetrating periurethral tissue, whereby the retrieving end may be inserted into a vagina, through the vaginal mucosa and periurethral tissue adjacent a urethra, and into the space of Retzius, such that the retrieving end may be employed to snare a suture positioned in the space of Retzius for retrieving the suture into the vagina. The suture retrieval tool also preferably comprises a midshaft positioned between the retrieving end and the handle.

Abstract: A template for guiding at least one suture through the periurethral fascia and vaginal mucosa adjacent a patient's urethra during a urethropexy procedure, wherein the at least one suture is attached to an anchor secured within the body of the patient above the patient's urethra, is provided. The template comprises first and second wing members extending laterally from opposite sides of the template; and at least one suture guide aperture positioned in each of the wing members at a predetermined location; the template configured to be alignable within the vagina of a patient such that one of the wing members will be positioned adjacent either side of the urethra with the at least one guide aperture in each wing member positioned such that a suture may be retrieved from within the patient's body through the at least one aperture. A method for performing a urethropexy procedure employing this template is also provided.

Abstract: A tiltable table has a pneumatic actuator and a locking system for establishing and maintaining a table position. The locking system is operated by an air cylinder that engages a dog with a ratchet plate secured to the table. The ratchet permits the table to be raised but not lowered while locked. The ratchet must be unlocked before the table can be lowered. The dog is spring-biased to locking position, and is air-operated for release against the action of the biasing spring. On lowering the table, air from the actuator can be used to unlock the ratchet. The air can be permitted to escape through a restriction orifice at a slow enough rate to maintain sufficient air pressure to keep the locking system disengaged, but sudden release of all the air pressure will again permit the spring to re-lock the system to prevent a downward slamming of the table surface.

Abstract: A dispersion of hard, wear-resistant particles such as aluminum oxide is embedded within a shaft-engaging surface of a bearing such that the service life of a shaft and bearing assembly is extended. The relatively hard aluminum oxide particles exert a polishing action on the shaft surface to improve the wear resistance and seizure resistance of the bearing and shaft system. A tumbling barrel, vibratory bowl, air jet, brush or similar apparatus can be used to apply and embed tumbling media particles within the shaft-engaging surface. During the application period, aluminum oxide particles are transferred to the bearing member surfaces by the sliding, rubbing contact between the abrasive bodies and the individual bearing members.

Abstract: A tiltable table has a pneumatic actuator and a locking system for establishing and maintaining a table position. The locking system is operated by an air cylinder that engages a dog with a ratchet plate secured to the table. The dog is spring-biased to locking position, and is air-operated for release against the action of the biasing spring. On lowering the table, air is permitted to escape through a restriction orifice at a slow enough rate to maintain sufficient air pressure to keep the locking system disengaged, but sudden release of all the air pressure will again permit the spring to re-lock the system to prevent a downward slamming of the table surface.

Abstract: A split crankshaft bearing assembly includes two flanged half bearings adapted to collectively encircle a crankshaft. The flanges are formed with oil supply grooves that subdivide the flange surface into thrust bearing pads. Each pad includes a positively sloped ramp surface leading to a raised land surface. The rotating crankshaft drags a film of oil onto the land surface where it provides hydrodynamic thrust support for the shaft. To facilitate close tolerance control on the thrust bearing pad contour, the manufacturing process is carried out so that the oil supply grooves are formed and the thrust face presized prior to formation of the pad final contour. The pad contour is formed by a coining operation.

Abstract: Tough transparent thermoplastics blends may be prepared by blending 10 to 99 weight percent of a block copolymer; 0.1 to 1 weight percent of particulate rubber having a particle size from 0.1 to 10 microns; and the balance a clear glassy polymer. These clear polymers are useful in a number of application, particularly for those applications requiring quite high toughness and transparency such as packaging, containers or protective covering.

Abstract: Tough transparent thermoplastics blends may be prepared by blending 10 to 99 weight percent of a block copolymer; 0.1 to 1 weight percent of particulate rubber having a particle size from 0.1 to 10 microns; and the balance a clear glassy polymer. These clear polymers are useful in a number of applications, particularly for those applications requiring quite high toughness and transparency such as packaging, containers or protective covering.

Abstract: A split crankshaft bearing assembly includes two flanged half bearings adapted to collectively encircle a crankshaft. The flanges are formed with oil supply grooves that subdivide the flange surface into thrust bearing pads. Each pad includes a positively sloped ramp surface leading to a raised land surface. The rotating crankshaft drags a film of oil onto the land surface where it provides hydrodynamic thrust support for the shaft. To facilitate close tolerance control on the thrust bearing pad contour, the manufacturing process is carried out so that the oil supply grooves are formed and the thrust face presized prior to formation of the pad final contour. The pad contour is formed by a coining operation.

Abstract: Tough transparent thermoplastics blends may be prepared by blending 10 to 99 weight percent of a block copolymer; 0.1 to 1 weight percent of particulate rubber having a particle size from 0.1 to 10 microns; and the balance a clear glassy polymer. These clear polymers are useful in a number of applications, particularly for those applications requiring quite high toughness and transparency such as packaging, containers or protective covering.