Abstract: A cervical cup includes a body having a flange and a vacuum port so that application of a vacuum to the port will secure the cervical cup to a cervix disposed inside of the body of the cup. Example of the disclosed methodology to treat preterm birth includes inserting of a cervix into a cervical cup and applying a vacuum to a vacuum port of the cervical cup so as to secure the cervical cup to the cervix.

Abstract: An implantation tool for implanting a medical device subcutaneously includes a core extending along a longitudinal axis. The core is formed with a longitudinal recess extending along the longitudinal axis. A shell protrudes from an end of the core in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The shell defines a compartment for carrying the medical implant. The compartment is connected to the longitudinal recess. A rod that extends along the longitudinal axis is arranged in the longitudinal recess.

Abstract: An introducer used to insert a urinary incontinence device into a vagina. The introducer includes a housing including a vaginal insertion tube at a proximal end of the housing and a storage section at a distal end of the housing. The storage section is shaped and dimensioned for storage of the urinary incontinence device prior to insertion and the vaginal insertion tube is shaped and dimensioned for the passage of the urinary incontinence device therethrough. The dimensions of the storage section are such that the urinary incontinence device contained therein is in its deployed non-compressed state allowing the urinary incontinence device to be stored in its non-compressed state prior to use. The introducer also includes a plunger which travels within the housing.

Abstract: A vaginal ring applicator having a polymeric barrel and at least one friction reducing agent, wherein the barrel is a flattened cylinder having two slightly curved and opposing sides connected by two arcs, wherein the barrel extends between an insertion end and a plunger end; and a plunger extending between distal and proximal ends, wherein the distal end of the plunger engages the plunger end of the barrel and wherein the plunger fits telescopically within the barrel.

Abstract: A device includes a somewhat cylindrical working portion having an initial equivalent diameter ranging from about 20 to about 170 mm, an insertion equivalent diameter ranging from about 5 to about 25 mm, a use equivalent diameter ranging from about 20 to about 40 mm and a length ranging from about 20 to about 60 mm; and an anchoring portion extending beyond the working portion and having an initial equivalent diameter ranging from about 20 to about 60 mm, an insertion equivalent diameter ranging from about 10 to about 25 mm, a use equivalent diameter ranging from about 20 to about 60 mm and a length ranging from about 10 to about 50 mm.

Abstract: The various embodiments of the present inventions provide stabilization devices and methods for use of the stabilization devices with minimally invasive gynecological procedures such as methods of preventing pregnancy by inserting intrafallopian contraceptive devices into the fallopian tubes.

Abstract: Medical devices and related methods are disclosed for delivering an implant into the body of a patient. The devices include a damping assembly having an internal chamber with a varying inner diameter, and a piston slideably disposed therein. The piston is operably connected with a catheter portion such that movement of the piston is associated with concurrent movement of the catheter for implant delivery. The varying inner diameter of the damping assembly results in a decrease in damping force during implant delivery, thus providing a substantially constant velocity of implant delivery.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device adapted for occluding the ovarian pathway of a female body for sterilization purposes. The device delivers RF energy to wound tissue at a desired location within at least one fallopian tube and implants a porous foam plug adjacent to the wounded tissue at said location. Depending on the plug's pore sizes, vascularized tissue may grow into the plug to prevent or discourage the formation of scar tissue around the plug and/or a vascularized capsule may form around the plug, which limits the patient's foreign body response so that the capsule does not constrict around the plug.

Abstract: The various embodiments of the present inventions provide stabilization devices and methods for use of the stabilization devices with minimally invasive gynecological procedures such as methods of preventing pregnancy by inserting intrafallopian contraceptive devices into the fallopian tubes.

Abstract: Apparatus for preventing fluid transfer through an opening connecting an oviduct to a uterine cavity includes a body having a base with a periphery and a seal carried by the body for overlying and engaging uterine tissue leading to the opening. The seal receives fibroblast in-growth to create a hermetic seal between the oviduct and the uterine cavity. A peripheral anchor portion extends from the base for securing the body to the uterine tissue leading to the opening, the base overlying the opening.

Abstract: A female condom is provided that includes a pouch of resilient membranous material and a hydrophilic cling mechanism. According to an embodiment of the invention, the cling mechanism includes three or more foam cling elements attached to an outer surface of the pouch. Upon insertion, the foam cling elements cling lightly to vaginal walls proximate a transition zone between the vagina's introitus and its rugated internal tissue. The foam cling elements may be shaped to permit them to nestle into a user's rugated internal vaginal tissue. An inserter may be coupled to the pouch for facilitating insertion of the condom. The inserter may retain a distal portion of the pouch in a collapsed form. The cling mechanism may be contained within the dissolvable inserter. The inserter may be dissolvable in the presence of vaginal moisture. Methods are also provided for collapsing the pouch and compressing it into an insertion package.

Abstract: A cervical isolation and delivery apparatus having a cervical cap removably connected to a syringe such that a bottom opening of the cervical cap is in communication with an internal chamber of the syringe. The syringe is an elongated hollow tube with an elongated rod slidable disposed within an internal chamber of the elongated hollow tube. The cervical cap is removably connected to an application end of the elongated hollow tube such that upon insertion of the apparatus into a patient's vagina, the cervical cap covers the patient's cervix while protecting the tissue surrounding the cervix. The patient's cervix is treated by placing medication, e.g.

Abstract: This invention titled "Permanent Diaphragm" is a method of contraception. It is different from conventional diaphragms in that it is secured by suture to the cervix (mouth of the uterus). It is made of durable material that can be worn indefinitely. It can be inserted and can be removed as an office procedure.

Abstract: A kit for intravaginal, barrier-type prevention of conception and sexually-transmitted infection includes a barrier-type device and an applicator, the barrier-type device including a cervical dome having an upwardly facing opening and a curved surface extending from the opening to a downwardly-facing dome peak and including a continuous fornical rim defining the opening and transitioning therefrom into a continuous, annular vaginal brim which circumscribes the dome and extends both outwardly and downwardly, and wherein the brim defines a thickened grip portion extending inwardly toward the dome. The applicator includes an elongate handle having at its proximal end arcuate support means for supporting the barrier-type device, and gripping member for releasably holding the device upon the support means during intravaginal positionment of said device.

Abstract: An applicator device for insertion and removal of a cervical cap is described. The device utilizes manually controlled suction to grip the cervical cap during placement and a retrieval hook to facilitate removal.

Abstract: A device and method for intravaginal, barrier-type prevention of conception and infection by sexually-transmitted diseases based upon a barrier-type device including a flexible cervical dome having a continuous fornical rim defining an opening into the dome and a continuous, annular, vaginal brim which circumscribes and is attached to the cervical dome at the fornical rim. The vaginal brim is reverse-folded from the fornical rim, and has a dimension which continuously increases with circumferential symmetry from an anterior vaginal extension of the brim to a posterior vaginal extension of the brim which is diametrically opposite the anterior vaginal extension. The fornical rim is characterized in having a lip which extends inwardly from the opening toward the centerline of the dome. The brim has a curvature in a direction away from the dome.