Abstract: A female urinary incontinence device is provided for preventing uncontrolled flow of urine. The device is in the form of a hollow plastic tube having an open proximal end for insertion into the bladder and a control device at the distal for controlling the flow of urine. The proximal end has an extensible and retractable mushroom shaped plastic which maintains the device in the bladder.

Abstract: A method for detecting prostatic cancer in patients by detecting the pressure of 5.alpha.-reductase type 2 isozyme in the serum or urine of the patients. The method preferably utilized a biomarker which is the polyclonal antibodies of a peptide representing amino acids 28 to 43 of the 5.alpha.-reductase type 2 isozyme.

Abstract: An esophageal probe comprising in combination EKG electrodes and ECHO electrodes selectively spaced from each other for monitoring or pacing an organ at a single location which allows for more controlled stimulation of the selected organ and to provide more accurate diagnostic data.

Abstract: A noninvasive blood pressure monitoring and controlling device is provided which selectively stimulates the human body's own baro-receptors with electromagnetic or ultrasonic wave energies.

Abstract: A female uninary incontinence device is provided for preventing uncontrolled flow of urine. The device is in the form of a hollow plastic tube having an open proximal end for insertion into the bladder and a control device at the distal for controlling the flow of urine. The proximal end has an extensible and retractable mushroom shaped plastic which maintains the device in the bladder. The distal end is provided with a valve and a timer for automatically closing the valve.

Abstract: A collapsible catheter is provided for irrigation or aspiration of the urinary bladder with fluid. The catheter consists of a collapsible hollow elastomeric tube which is open at the proximal end. The distal end portion has at least one stiffened aperture. A plurality of channels are provided along the length of the tube which contain removable wires or rods which stiffen the tube for insertion into the bladder. A balloon means is provided to hold the catheter in place.

Abstract: An extracorporeal radiation-therapy apparatus for use in treating the blood of a donor for diseased cells or organisms. The apparatus separates the blood by a density gradient device and treats the different blood fractions with drugs and/or high energy radiation.

Abstract: A collapsible catheter is provided for irrigation or aspiration of the urinary bladder with fluid. The catheter consists of a pair of telescoping collapsible hollow elastomeric tubes which form an opening at the proximal end. A drainage opening is provided at the distal end. The catheter is stiffened by inserting fluid between the tubes through a valve. A balloon is provided to hold the catheter in place in a patient.

Abstract: A collapsible catheter is provided for use with an inflatable stiffening or reinforcing member which is capable of being inflated with fluid. The catheter comprises a collapsible hollow elastomeric tube which is open at the proximal end. The distal end portion has at least one aperture. A valve is provided which is at the open end of the elastomeric tube. The valve permits access to inflate the stiffening member. The catheter can be used for draining and aspirating urinary tract or draining or feeding the gastro-intestinal tract.

Abstract: An automatic biopsy devices for taking plural samples of tissue of a patient. The device is pneumatically operated in response to an actuator activated by the operator and makes use of a removable cassette in which a plurality of stylets are located. The stylets are disposed on a moveable tray within the cassette and are arranged to be selectively positioned within the device for propulsion through a releasably mounted cannula at a high speed into the tissue to be sampled. Each stylet includes a groove adjacent its distal end into which the tissue to be sampled enters when the cannula is propelled into the tissue. Thereafter and in automatic response to the propulsion of the stylet through the cannula into the tissue, the cannula is propelled over the stylet to excise the tissue within the stylet's recess. The propulsion of the stylets and cannula is so rapid that the tissue sampling procedure is virtually pain-free. An indicator is provided so that the operator will know the number of samples taken.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device and method for coagulating, lasing, resecting and removing prostate and bladder tissue. The device is a laser resectoscope containing laser induced mechanical cutting. The tips of the cutting blades are coated with Teflon and Stainless Steel to prevent adherence of the lased or resected tissue. The contact laser head and cutting blades are heated by a laser beam. This allows the operator to lase and resect the targeted tissue without impairing the cellular integrity of the tissue. Consequently, the retrieved tissue is preserved for histological analysis.A method is also provided to coagulate, lase, resect and remove tissue from the prostate and bladder areas using the above mentioned laser resectoscope with laser induced heating.

Abstract: A resectoscope and a method of use for removing organic tissue, e.g., the prostate gland, from the body of a living being. The resectoscope includes an elongated member having a distal end adapted to be introduced into the body of the being at the situs of organic tissue to be removed via a tubular sheath. The resectoscope includes a laser for producing a laser beam adjacent the distal end of the elongated member to penetrate several millimeters through the surface of the tissue to coagulate. A rotatable cutter, e.g., a pair of angled offset planar blades, is disposed at the distal end of the elongated member and is arranged to be rotated at a high rate of speed by an associated drive assembly to cut the coagulated tissue. A lumen is provided to carry an irrigation liquid to the situs of the tissue. A suction lumen is provided to carry the tissue removed by the cutter so that it can be retrieved for histological examination.

Abstract: An automatic biopsy device for taking plural samples of tissue of a patient. The device is pneumatically operated in response to the depressing of a trigger by the operator and makes use of a removable cassette in which a plurality of stylets are located. The stylets are disposed on a moveable tray within the cassette and are arranged to be selectively positioned within the device for propulsion through a releasably mounted cannula at a high speed into the tissue to be sampled. Each stylet includes a groove adjacent its distal end into which the tissue to be sampled enters when the cannula is propelled into the tissue. Thereafter and in automatic response to the propulsion of the stylet through the cannula into the tissue, the cannula is propelled over the stylet to excise the tissue within the stylet's recess. The propulsion of the stylets and cannula is so rapid that the tissue sampling procedure is virtually pain-free.

Abstract: A resectoscope for prostate surgery is provided which includes a rotating cutting element mounted within an outer sheath adapted to be inserted into the urethra. The cutting element has helical threads along the length thereof and a cutting blade at its distal end. The outer sheath has a covered distal end portion which extends beyond and over the cutting blade and has an opening therethrough adjacent the cutting blade. Within the outer sheath is an inner sheath surrounding the cutting element except for the cutting blade. A fiber optic laser filament connected to a laser generator is positioned within the space between the inner and outer sheaths and extends along the length of the inner sheath to a position adjacent the cutting blade.

Abstract: A resectoscope for prostate surgery is provided which includes a rotating cutting element mounted within an outer sheath adapted to be inserted into the urethra. The cutting element has helical threads along the length thereof and a cutting blade at its distal end. The outer sheath has a covered distal end portion which extends beyond and over the cutting blade and has an opening therethrough adjacent the cutting blade. Within the outer sheath is an inner sheath surrounding the cutting element except for the cutting blade. A fiber optic laser filament connected to a laser generator is positioned within the space between the inner and outer sheaths and extends along the length of the inner sheath to a position adjacent the cutting blade.

Abstract: A continuous process for monitoring blood glucose level includes the steps of segregating a clear liquid component of blood from the protein and cells of the blood, wherein the clear liquid component includes the glucose to be monitored; continuously passing the clear liquid in a predetermined path between a light-emitting and a light-detecting device; detecting an optical property of the clear liquid component of the blood and employing the optical property to determine the glucose level in the blood. The invention also relates to the system for carrying out the continuous glucose monitoring process, and to a device for automatically controlling the pressure level in the system as a function of the breathing pattern of a patient in which the system is implanted.

Abstract: A resectoscope for prostate surgery is provided which includes a rotating cutting element mounted within an outer sheath adapted to be inserted into the urethra. The cutting element has helical threads along the length thereof and a cutting blade at its distal end. The outer sheath has a covered distal end portion which extends beyond and over the cutting blade and has an opening therethrough adjacent the cutting blade. Within the outer sheath is an inner sheath surrounding the cutting element except for the cutting blade. A fiber optic laser filament connected to a laser generator is positioned within the space between the inner and outer sheaths and extends along the length of the inner sheath to a position adjacent the cutting blade.

Abstract: A method of producing a composition for use in the treatment of a compromised human immune system is described. The active ingredient in the ingredient in the composition is a mixture of terpenoids derived from an extract of the tubers of the plant Cyperus rotundus Linn and is administered orally to a patient having a compromised immune system. The prepared extract can be in a powder form or in a volatile oil.The composition can also be administered parenterally. In clinical trials on humans a flavour enchanced composition derived from an agneous-based paste resulted in significant therapeutic benefit with no side effects.The production of the composition and method of a human patient having a compromised immune system is also described.

Abstract: A continuous process for monitoring blood glucose level includes the steps of segregating a clear liquid component of blood from the protein and cells of the blood, wherein the clear liquid component includes the glucose to be monitored; continuously passing the clear liquid in a predetermined path between a light-emitting and a light-detecting device; detecting an optical property of the clear liquid component of the blood and employing the optical property to determine the glucose level in the blood. The invention also relates to the system for carrying out the continuous glucose monitoring process, and to a device for automatically controlling the pressure level in the system as a function of the breathing pattern of a patient in which the system is implanted.

Abstract: A method of producing a composition for use in the treatment of insulin-dependent diabetes is described. The active ingredient in the composition is a mixture of terpenoids derived from an extract of the tubers of the plant Cyperus rotundus Linn and is administered orally to diabetic patients to provide therapeutic effects such as reducing blood sugar levels. The prepared extract can be in a powder form or in a volatile oil. A comparison of oral administration of equal volumes of the composition and insulin indicates that the composition has about 20% of the effect of insulin, which would be obviated by concentrating the composition. The composition can also be administered parenterally. In clinical trials on humans a flavor enhanced composition derived from an agneous-based paste resulted in significant therapeutic benefit with no side effects.The production of the composition and method of treatment of a diabetic patient is also described.