Abstract: A device and method for the removal and disposal of transected hair from the body of a patient in an operating room or other sterile location. The hand-held device is single-use, latex-free, sterile-packaged, non-conductive, fully disposable and comprises a hollow handle with a projecting wand ending in an enlarged distal tip. The other end of the hollow handle opposite the enlarged distal tip is connected to a vacuum source, such as the one readily available in most operating rooms, via flexible tubing. When the wand and the enlarged distal tip are passed over transected hair, the hair is suctioned into the hand-held device. The hand-held device includes a particulate filter to prevent the suctioned hair from entering the vacuum system, one or more internal circumferential ribs to create a turbulent flow within the handle, a reservoir to collect transected hair, and venturi apertures to regulate the suction pressure.

Abstract: A device and method for the removal and disposal of transected hair from the body of a patient in an operating room or other sterile location. The hand-held device is single-use, latex-free, sterile-packaged, non-conductive, fully disposable and comprises a hollow handle with a projecting wand ending in an enlarged distal tip. The other end of the hollow handle opposite the enlarged distal tip is connected to a vacuum source, such as the one readily available in most operating rooms, via flexible tubing. When the wand and the enlarged distal tip are passed over transected hair, the hair is suctioned into the hand-held device. The hand-held device includes a particulate filter to prevent the suctioned hair from entering the vacuum system, one or more internal circumferential ribs to create a turbulent flow within the handle, a reservoir to collect transected hair, and venturi apertures to regulate the suction pressure.

Abstract: An implantable device and method for managing a patient's erectile dysfunction, wherein the device generally comprises: at least one power source member that is adapted to be implanted in the patient's lower abdominal wall; at least one pulse generating member that is adapted to be implanted in the patient's lower abdominal wall; and at least one electrode that is adapted to be implanted at the suprapubic level of the patient's neurovascular bundle of the phallus, is connected to said power source member and pulse generating member, and is adapted to electrically stimulate the neurovascular bundle upon selective activation by the patient.

Abstract: An absorbable pubovaginal sling system for surgical management of urinary incontinence, generally comprising: a latex-free, synthetic sling made entirely of absorbable materials of which at least one of the materials is adapted to stimulate fibroblast interposition; and a looped monofilament suture that is adapted to be transposed to the suprapubic position, supported by an external adjustable tension device, and connected to said sling.

Abstract: A method of identifying a patient's urethral anatomic course for the precise placement of a treatment element into the patient's prostate, wherein a catheter containing an imaging bladder is introduced into a urethra until it is generally aligned with a treatment site of the prostate. An imaging probe is positioned relative to the treatment site and the urethra and is activated to obtain a real time image of the treatment site. The bladder is filled to define an acoustic interface between its interior and the urethral wall. A boundary of the urethra is identified at the acoustic interface during placement of the treatment element to position it relative to the urethra. A urethral identification system includes a catheter having the bladder spaced from the tip thereof and inflated allowing the bladder to contact the urethral wall and define the acoustic interface that is visible utilizing an ultrasound imaging device.

Abstract: A method of identifying a patient's urethral anatomic course in real time for the precise placement of a treatment element into the patient's prostate, wherein a catheter containing an external, inflatable imaging bladder is introduced into a urethra of the patient until the image bladder is generally aligned with a treatment site of the prostate, an imaging probe of an imaging device is operatively positioned relative to the treatment site of the prostate and proximate portions of the urethra, the imaging device is activated so as to obtain a real time image of the treatment site of the prostate, the imaging bladder is filled when needed to essentially turn on and define an acoustic interface between the interior of the imaging bladder and the urethral wall, and a boundary of the urethra is identified and viewed at the acoustic interface during placement of the treatment element so as to identify proper positioning thereof relative to the urethra.

Abstract: An implantable delivery system of the invention for managing a patient's erectile dysfunction, generally comprises: one or more reservoir members adapted to be substantially implanted in the patient's scrotal pouch and to at least temporarily store one or more pharmacologic agents; one or more diaphragms for accessing and refilling one or more of the reservoir members with one or more of the pharmacologic agents; one or more distal end members comprising one or more perforations for dispensing at least a portion of the pharmacologic agents into one or both of the patient's cavernosal bodies; one or more conduits for transporting at least a portion of the pharmacologic agents from the reservoir member to the distal end member; and one or more pumps for causing at least a portion of the pharmacologic agents to be transported from the reservoir member to the distal end member.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the device of the invention, which is adapted to be applied circumferentially about a phallus, having a perimeter, and to facilitate intracavemosal anesthesia, generally comprises: a strip having a length at least slightly greater than the perimeter of the phallus, and a first end and a second end; and a hook and loop closure for releasably fixing at least a portion of the strip proximate the first end to a second portion of the strip

Abstract: An implantable device and method for managing a patient's erectile dysfunction, wherein the device generally comprises: at least one power source member that is adapted to be implanted in the patient's lower abdominal wall; at least one pulse generating member that is adapted to be implanted in the patient's lower abdominal wall; and at least one electrode that is adapted to be implanted at the suprapubic level of the patient's neurovascular bundle of the phallus, is connected to said power source member and pulse generating member, and is adapted to electrically stimulate the neurovascular bundle upon selective activation by the patient.

Abstract: An absorbable pubovaginal sling system for surgical management of urinary incontinence, generally comprising: a latex-free, synthetic sling made entirely of absorbable materials of which at least one of the materials is adapted to stimulate fibroblast interposition; and a looped monofilament suture that is adapted to be transposed to the suprapubic position, supported by an external adjustable tension device, and connected to said sling.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the device of the invention, which is adapted to be applied circumferentially about a phallus, having a perimeter, and to facilitate intracavernosal anesthesia, generally comprises: a strip having a length at least slightly greater than the perimeter of the phallus, and a first end and a second end; and a hook and loop closure for releasably fixing at least a portion of the strip proximate the first end to a second portion of the strip

Abstract: A surgical radiofrequency needle point electrode for delivering both coagulating and cutting currents, comprising, at least one housing member; at least one needle point electrode having a surgically active region that is adapted to deliver both coagulating and cutting currents; and a telescoping member for at least temporarily maintaining the surgically active region of the electrode in the housing member.

Abstract: A delivery device for fixing an anchor to a bone which features: a distal delivery member which includes, an articulating head, a bone anchor attached to a suture, and a joint for articulating the head relative to the hand piece; and a proximal hand piece which includes a power source, a motor and a torquing member for driving the anchor into the bone, and one or more corresponding members for attaching the distal delivery member to the hand piece.

Abstract: A urethral catheter adapted to facilitate transperineal brachytherapy, comprising, a sleeve having a proximal end, a distal end and at least one lumen filled with a masma comprising a plurality of hypoechoic microspheres; an inflatable balloon fixed about the sleeve proximate the distal end; an inflation valve proximate the proximal end; and a channel, integral with at least a portion of the sleeve, for transporting an inflation medium from the valve to the balloon.

Abstract: An endoscopic device adapted for use in both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, comprising, one or more sheaths; one or more endoscopes disposed within the sheath; one or more return electrodes disposed within the sheath; and one or more working channels disposed within the sheath.

Abstract: A pharmacological agent for use as preemptive analgesia, comprising, 1% lidocaine HCL and 0.25% bupivacaine HCL in a ratio sufficient to provide analgesic effect quickly and for an extended period of time, preferably equal to or less than 10:1.

Abstract: An implantable delivery system of the invention for managing a patient's erectile dysfunction, generally comprises: one or more reservoir members adapted to be substantially implanted in the patient's scrotal pouch and to at least temporarily store one or more pharmacologic agents; one or more diaphragms for accessing and refilling one or more of the reservoir members with one or more of the pharmacologic agents; one or more distal end members comprising one or more perforations for dispensing at least a portion of the pharmacologic agents into one or both of the patient's cavernosal bodies; one or more conduits for transporting at least a portion of the pharmacologic agents from the reservoir member to the distal end member; and one or more pumps for causing at least a portion of the pharmacologic agents to be transported from the reservoir member to the distal end member.

Abstract: A surgical radiofrequency needle point electrode for delivering both coagulating and cutting currents, comprising, at least one housing member; at least one needle point electrode having a surgically active region that is adapted to deliver both coagulating and cutting currents; and a telescoping member for at least temporarily maintaining said surgically active region of said electrode in said housing member.

Abstract: A multiple-lumen sheath which fits over a resectoscope and provides an electrosurgical resection energy (radio frequency) return path and at least one irrigant channel, comprising, a sheath body which fits over the resectoscope; a conductor disposed within the sheath body for carrying the electrosurgical resection energy; and an irrigant channel within the sheath body and outside of the conductor, for both carrying irrigant fluid and cooling the conductor.