Abstract: An apparatus for safely handling a needle while removing the needle from a substrate such as an implanted access device having a resealable septum. The apparatus has a distal end and a proximal end and comprises a body, a cap member, and a basin-shaped member. The body defines interior boundaries and the cap member has an opening therein. The cap member is connected to and is distal to the body. The basin-shaped member defines a self-closing passageway and has a rim connected to the body. The rim of the basin-shaped member is disposed within the interior of the body intermediate the cap member and the proximal end of the apparatus. The basin-shaped member has an apical end facing the distal end of the apparatus. The cap member includes two resilient flaps, offset from one another. In one arrangement, the cap member and the body snap together to trap the basin-shaped member. In another arrangement, the apparatus is made of two identical halves joined together.

Abstract: An anchoring means for anchoring a suture in tissue comprises a housing, a substantially cylindrical means within said housing for receiving a suture, and an adjusting means. Another anchoring means comprises a housing, a rotating spool within said housing, a driving gear, and an adjusting means.

Abstract: A method for suspending the urethrovesical junction in females comprises inserting sutures through a puncture or incision in the suprapubic abdominal area or through a puncture or incision in the vaginal wall, suspending the urethrovesical junction with the sutures, and anchoring the sutures with an anchoring means at an anchoring site. The anchoring means is a relatively rigid helix having an attaching means to attach the suture, or a pad adapted to be delivered with a delivery means to the anchoring site, or a flip anchor in substantial axial alignment with a placement means and adapted to be flipped from the axial alignment to an angled position, or an adjustable tissue anchor having a means for adjustably attaching the sutures.