Abstract: This invention relates generally to apparatus and methods for tightening tissue of the female genitalia by heating targeted connective tissue with radiant energy, while cooling the mucosal epithelial surface over the target tissue to protect it from the heat. Embodiments include a handle and treatment tip that has both an energy delivery element and a cooling mechanism. The handle may be a two-handed handle allowing control even while rotating and maneuvering the treatment around the genital opening. The apparatus or system may also include an integrated controller, which may confirm tissue contact without applying RF energy, based only on the temperature of the applicator and the time since the last application of energy from the applicator.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to apparatus and methods for tightening tissue of the female genitalia by heating targeted connective tissue with radiant energy, while cooling the mucosal epithelial surface over the target tissue to protect it from the heat. Embodiments include a handle and treatment tip that has both an energy delivery element and a cooling mechanism. The handle may be a two-handed handle allowing control even while rotating and maneuvering the treatment around the genital opening. The apparatus or system may also include an integrated controller, which may confirm tissue contact without applying RF energy, based only on the temperature of the applicator and the time since the last application of energy from the applicator.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a door is used to provide uniform pressure to insert tubing into slots of a pump having walls that are narrower than the outer diameter of the tubing. In another embodiment, connectors are attached to receptacles on the pump, where the connectors insert and/or hold the tubing in slots of the pump. The connectors push the tubing into the slots while closing thereby covering the slots, which helps assure that the tubing is properly inserted into the slots. Optionally, the tubing may be partially affixed to the connectors so that detaching the connectors from the pump receptacles may remove the tubing from the slots. In one embodiment, as long as the connectors are connected to the pump receptacles properly, the tubing is properly inserted and/or retained in the slots.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to apparatus and methods for tightening tissue of the female genitalia by heating targeted connective tissue with radiant energy, while cooling the mucosal epithelial surface over the target tissue to protect it from the heat. Embodiments include a handle and treatment tip that has both an energy delivery element and a cooling mechanism. The handle may be a two-handed handle allowing control even while rotating and maneuvering the treatment around the genital opening. The apparatus or system may also include an integrated controller, which may confirm tissue contact without applying RF energy, based only on the temperature of the applicator and the time since the last application of energy from the applicator.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a door is used to provide uniform pressure to insert tubing into slots of a pump having walls that are narrower than the outer diameter of the tubing. In another embodiment, connectors are attached to receptacles on the pump, where the connectors insert and/or hold the tubing in slots of the pump. The connectors push the tubing into the slots while closing thereby covering the slots, which helps assure that the tubing is properly inserted into the slots. Optionally, the tubing may be partially affixed to the connectors so that detaching the connectors from the pump receptacles may remove the tubing from the slots. In one embodiment, as long as the connectors are connected to the pump receptacles properly, the tubing is properly inserted and/or retained in the slots.

Abstract: A capacitive discharge (CD) welder includes a charging circuit, a capacitor bank, an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT), a pulse transformer and a secondary circuit. The charging circuit takes incoming electricity and charges a capacitor bank. The capacitor bank stores energy. The IGBT electrically connects and disconnects the capacitor bank to the pulse transformer. The pulse transformer reduces voltage from that stored in the capacitor bank to the desired welding voltage. The secondary circuit electrically connected to the pulse transformer provides a welding current corresponding to the output to the material being welded.

Abstract: Connectors are attached to a pump housing. The pump squeezes tubing of a particular outer diameter creating a peristaltic contraction of the tubing to push the fluid in the tubing in a particular direction. The connectors hold the tubing in slots having walls that are narrower than the outer diameter of the tubing. To aid in pushing the tubing into the slots, a door is attached to the connectors that pushes the tubing into the slots while closing thereby covering the slots, which helps assure that the tubing is properly attached to the connector. Alternatively, the connector may be permanently attached to the tubing, but may be detached from the pump housing, so that as long as the connectors are connected properly, the tubing is connected properly.

Abstract: A capacitive discharge (CD) welder includes a charging circuit, a capacitor bank, an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT), a pulse transformer and a secondary circuit. The charging circuit takes incoming electricity and charges a capacitor bank. The capacitor bank stores energy. The IGBT electrically connects and disconnects the capacitor bank to the pulse transformer. The pulse transformer reduces voltage from that stored in the capacitor bank to the desired welding voltage. The secondary circuit electrically connected to the pulse transformer provides a welding current corresponding to the output to the material being welded.

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: The present invention relates to a photovoltaic system and methods of making same. The photovoltaic system has a plurality of layers attached to each other to form a unitary structure. More specifically, the photovoltaic system includes: a base, flexible membrane layer; a photovoltaic layer having at least one photovoltaic cell associated therewith; a semi-rigid layer for supporting the photovoltaic layer and imparting rigidity thereto; and a top, transparent, protective layer for protecting the base, flexible membrane layer, the semi-rigid layer and the photovoltaic layer from exposure to the environment. The photovoltaic layer and the semi-rigid layer are disposed between the base, flexible membrane layer and the top, protective layer. Additional layers of adhesive may be disposed between the various layers to facilitate bonding thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for therapeutically heating a target zone of a collagenous support tissue within a patient body. In exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides electronically determining an acceptable or unacceptable contact condition between an energy source and a first tissue layer disposed proximally to the target zone. Upon determining an acceptable contact condition, the target zone is irradiated or otherwise heated for a finite time period with energy. A determination of an unacceptable contact condition causes cessation of irradiating.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for diagnosing and/or treating urinary incontinence can accurately and reliably monitor both a vesicle pressure and a maximum urethral pressure of a patient during an abdominal pressure pulse so as to determine relationships between these pressures. Alignment between the location of maximum urethral pressure and a pressure sensor of a catheter can be maintained using an anchoring structure having a surface which engages a tissue surface along the bladder neck, urethra, or external meatus, which move with the urethra during abdominal pressure pulses. A pressuregram is generated graphically showing an increase in urethral pressure relative to an increase in vesicle pressure, and is often displayed in real time to a system operator adjacent the patient. Quantitative and/or qualitative diagnostic output allow selective remodeling of the patient's support structure so that the incontinence is inhibited.

Abstract: Methods and devices for improving contact between tissue and a probe. In exemplary embodiments, methods of the present invention include a deploying a needle into a target tissue and retracting the needle so that tenting around the needle is reduced. The retracting of the needle can increase the amount of tissue contact between a surface of the tissue and a surface contacting portion of a probe body.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for therapeutically heating a target zone of a collagenous support tissue within a patient body. In exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides electronically determining an acceptable or unacceptable contact condition between an energy source and a first tissue layer disposed proximally to the target zone. Upon determining an acceptable contact condition, the target zone is irradiated or otherwise heated for a finite time period with energy. A determination of an unacceptable contact condition causes cessation of irradiating.

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: The present invention enhances the effectiveness of treatment of support tissue structures. Generally, such tissue structures support organs and hold the organs in their proper position for appropriate functioning. When such tissue structures become weak, hyper-elastic, and/or excessively lengthy, the organs of are no longer supported in their proper position. This often leads to physical manifestations such as incontinence, hernias, and the like. Remedies often involve thermal treatment of the support tissue structures, such as thermally inducted controlled shrinkage, contraction, or stiffening of the support tissue structure. To enhance such thermal treatment and diminish the possibility of undesirable heating and damage to nearby tissue surfaces, vasoconstrictive agents are used.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for diagnosing and/or treating urinary incontinence can accurately and reliably monitor both a vesicle pressure and a maximum urethral pressure of a patient during an abdominal pressure pulse so as to determine relationships between these pressures. Alignment between the location of maximum urethral pressure and a pressure sensor of a catheter can be maintained using an anchoring structure having a surface which engages a tissue surface along the bladder neck, urethra, or external meatus, which move with the urethra during abdominal pressure pulses. A pressuregram is generated graphically showing an increase in urethral pressure relative to an increase in vesicle pressure, and is often displayed in real time to a system operator adjacent the patient. Quantitative and/or qualitative diagnostic output allow selective remodeling of the patient's support structure so that the incontinence is inhibited.

Abstract: Devices and methods for aligning a probe body and electrodes adjacent a target tissue. A guide shaft can be coupled to the probe body for entering a first body orifice The probe body can be positioned in a second body orifice such that coupling of the probe body and guide shaft positions the electrodes adjacent the target tissue. In exemplary embodiments, the guide shaft is coupled at an offset angular alignment from the probe body.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for diagnosing and/or treating urinary incontinence can accurately and reliably monitor both a vesicle pressure and a maximum urethral pressure of a patient during an abdominal pressure pulse so as to determine relationships between these pressures. Alignment between the location of maximum urethral pressure and a pressure sensor of a catheter can be maintained using an anchoring structure having a surface which engages a tissue surface along the bladder neck, urethra, or external meatus, which move with the urethra during abdominal pressure pulses. A pressuregram is generated graphically showing an increase in urethral pressure relative to an increase in vesicle pressure, and is often displayed in real time to a system operator adjacent the patient. Quantitative and/or qualitative diagnostic output allow selective remodeling of the patient's support structure so that the incontinence is inhibited.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for diagnosing and/or treating urinary incontinence can accurately and reliably monitor both a vesicle pressure and a maximum urethral pressure of a patient during an abdominal pressure pulse so as to determine relationships between these pressures. Alignment between the location of maximum urethral pressure and a pressure sensor of a catheter can be maintained using an anchoring structure having a surface which engages a tissue surface along the bladder neck, urethra, or external meatus, which move with the urethra during abdominal pressure pulses. A pressuregram is generated graphically showing an increase in urethral pressure relative to an increase in vesicle pressure, and is often displayed in real time to a system operator adjacent the patient. Quantitative and/or qualitative diagnostic output allow selective remodeling of the patient's support structure so that the incontinence is inhibited.