Abstract: A method of implanting a penile prosthetic in a patient includes providing an implantable cylinder with a resorbable component attached to an exterior surface of the implantable cylinder and a tow line engaged with the resorbable component. The method includes inserting the tow line into a corpora cavernosum of a penis, directing the tow line through a glans of the penis, and pulling on the tow line and moving the implantable cylinder into the corpora cavernosum of the penis. The method includes locating a distal end of the implantable cylinder in a distal location in the corpora cavernosum of the penis, and disengaging the tow line from the resorbable component.

Abstract: A method of implanting a penile prosthetic in a patient includes providing an implantable cylinder with a resorbable component attached to an exterior surface of the implantable cylinder and a tow line engaged with the resorbable component. The method includes inserting the tow line into a corpora cavernosum of a penis, directing the tow line through a glans of the penis, and pulling on the tow line and moving the implantable cylinder into the corpora cavernosum of the penis. The method includes locating a distal end of the implantable cylinder in a distal location in the corpora cavernosum of the penis, and disengaging the tow line from the resorbable component.

Abstract: A method of implanting a penile prosthetic includes confirming that a tow suture is coupled with a resorbable suture-engagement component attached to an exterior surface of a cylinder. The method includes inserting the tow suture into a corpora cavernosum of a penis and pushing the tow suture through a glans of the penis and pulling on the tow suture and towing the cylinder to a distal location within the penis. The tow suture is removed from the resorbable suture-engagement component.

Abstract: A method of implanting a penile prosthetic includes confirming that a tow suture is coupled with a resorbable suture-engagement component attached to an exterior surface of a cylinder. The method includes inserting the tow suture into a corpora cavernosum of a penis and pushing the tow suture through a glans of the penis and pulling on the tow suture and towing the cylinder to a distal location within the penis. The tow suture is removed from the resorbable suture-engagement component.

Abstract: Disclosed is a penile prosthetic including a cylinder and a resorbable suture-engaging component attached to an exterior surface of the cylinder. The suture-engaging component is attachable to a suture to allow a surgeon to pull the cylinder in a distal direction into the penis. During the healing time after the surgery, the resorbable suture-engaging component is resorbed into the tissue of the penis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a penile prosthetic including a cylinder and a resorbable suture-engaging component attached to an exterior surface of the cylinder. The suture-engaging component is attachable to a suture to allow a surgeon to pull the cylinder in a distal direction into the penis. During the healing time after the surgery, the resorbable suture-engaging component is resorbed into the tissue of the penis.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for ablating a target tissue are discussed. Such methods and apparatus include those that simplify tissue ablation. For example, a tissue ablation device having an actuator, such as a trigger mechanism, coupled to a power source and an electrode is discussed. A single step of engaging the actuator causes the electrode to be introduced into the target tissue and causes energy to be delivered from the power supply to the tissue via the electrode. By way of additional example, a tissue ablation device having an actuator coupled to a fluid source and an electrode is discussed. A single step of engaging the actuator causes conductive fluid to flow from the fluid source to the target tissue location and causes the electrode to be introduced to the target tissue location. The fluid source may be a conductive fluid, such as saline, which may increase the efficiency of ablation. Various other configurations and methods that simplify tissue ablation are also discussed.

Abstract: A locating guide for locating a target tissue site within a patient includes a body, a first substantially radiopaque reference marker on the body, and a second substantially radiopaque reference marker extending from a major surface of the body. The reference markers provide reference points that extend in at least two dimensions, and may be useful for registering a medical image of tissue with an actual location on or within the patient in order to more accurately and precisely locate a target tissue site within the patient. In some embodiments, the second reference marker is oriented at a predetermined angle relative to the major surface of the body, and provides a guide that a clinician may reference in order to orient a medical element introducer when introducing the introducer into the patient to access a particular target tissue site.

Abstract: The invention includes a delivery device for introducing a prosthesis beneath a tissue surface that includes an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end, an opening on the elongate body, which is at least partially covered by a mesh, and a deployment lumen extending through the body that has a longitudinal axis and a distal end, wherein the distal end of the deployment lumen is positioned proximal of the opening. Also included are delivery systems and kits that include delivery devices of the invention. Further, an overtube for receiving an endoscope, that includes an elongate, flexible tubular body, having a proximal end and a distal end and a longitudinal axis, at least one lumen extending therethrough for receiving an endoscope, an opening on the body, in communication with the lumen, and a tissue limiting surface within the body aligned with the opening, formed at least in part by a mesh. Methods of using the devices, and kits are also included in the invention.

Abstract: Article and method of restoring function to a flow control location in a patient. A biological agent is inserted into a region near the flow control location. The biological agent is stabilized in the region. The biological agent is a biological agent selected from a group consisting of growth factors, fibroblast cells, smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells, stem cells and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Method and article for restoring function to a region of a body selected from the group consisting of a gastrointestinal tract and a urinary tract of a patient. A biological agent is optionally associated with a carrier and inserted into the region of the body. The biological agent is stabilized in the region of the body. The biological agent is selected from a group consisting of nerve cells, interstitial cells of Cajal, stem cells and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A bulking device for implantation into a lumen wall that includes a bulking material that is configured to alter the portion of the lumen into which it is implanted and one or more therapeutic substances in association with the bulking material, wherein the device is configured to alter the portion of the lumen wall into which it is implanted. A method for inserting devices of the invention are also included.

Abstract: A bulking device for implantation into a lumen wall that includes a bulking material that is configured to alter the portion of the lumen into which it is implanted and one or more therapeutic substances in association with the bulking material, wherein the device is configured to alter the portion of the lumen wall into which it is implanted. A method for inserting devices of the invention are also included.

Abstract: A bulking device for implantation into a lumen wall that includes a bulking material that is configured to alter the portion of the lumen into which it is implanted and one or more therapeutic substances in association with the bulking material, wherein the device is configured to alter the portion of the lumen wall into which it is implanted. A method for inserting devices of the invention are also included.

Abstract: Delivery elements, including needle electrodes and sheaths of tissue ablation devices, containing a conductivity-enhancing agent are discussed. The delivery elements contain a body member and optionally one or more coating layers. The conductivity-enhancing agent is disposed on or in the body member and/or at least one of the one or more coating layers. The conductivity-enhancing agent is capable of eluting from the delivery element when the delivery element is contacted with bodily tissue or fluid and increases conductivity of the tissue, making tissue ablation more efficient.

Abstract: A gastric banding device contains an expandable material. The expandable material may include, for example, a hydrogel material that expands when hydrated. The hydrogel material may include a single or multiple monolithic components, and/or may include hydrogel material in particulate form, such as hydrogel beads, microspheres, or powder. The gastric banding device includes an elongate gastric band having an expandable lumen that forms a stoma opening in the stomach by encircling and partitioning the stomach into an upper stomach and a lower stomach. The hydrogel material is positioned in the lumen and expands when hydrated to at least partially expand the lumen, thus decreasing the size of the stoma opening.

Abstract: One or more tissue bulking devices are implanted to bulk a structure within a patient. The tissue bulking devices may be implanted between the structure and an adventitial layer that at least partially covers the structure, or within the adventitial layer. In some embodiments, the structure is a luminal wall that defines an inner lumen, and the bulking devices are implanted endoscopically via the lumen. In such embodiments, the tissue bulking devices may be implanted between a muscular layer of the luminal wall and an adventitial layer that at least partially covers the luminal wall, or within the adventitial layer. In exemplary embodiments, the luminal wall is the wall of the esophagus of the patient, and the tissue bulking devices are implanted proximate to the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) of the patient to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Abstract: Delivery elements, including needle electrodes and sheaths of tissue ablation devices, containing a conductivity-enhancing agent are discussed. The delivery elements contain a body member and optionally one or more coating layers. The conductivity-enhancing agent is disposed on or in the body member and/or at least one of the one or more coating layers. The conductivity-enhancing agent is capable of eluting from the delivery element when the delivery element is contacted with bodily tissue or fluid and increases conductivity of the tissue, making tissue ablation more efficient.

Abstract: A method of impregnating a polymeric medical device with an antimicrobial agent is disclosed. The method involves forming a solution by dissolving triclosan in a compressed fluid and contacting the polymeric medical device with the solution. After the solution has been infused into the polymeric medical device, the solution and the medical device are separated.