A pessary for the prevention of preterm birth, and in particular two pathological conditions of pregnancy known as isthmico-cervical incontinence and cervical shortening, both of which are associated with increased risks for pregnancy loss and/or premature deliveries of babies. The pessary includes a sleeve supported within a ring by an annular member. The sleeve is intended to contact the cervix and maximize the length of the cervix while the annular member and ring contact the vagina. The pessary may be fabricated from a pliable medical-grade silicon, and the pessary may include one or more sensors to measure various patient parameters indicative of a premature cervical contraction. The sleeve may be wirelessly powered from a charging device, such as a pillow, a table-top device, or a pelvic belt.

A delivery system for local drug delivery to a target site of internal body tissue is provided. The delivery system comprises a source electrode adapted to be positioned proximate to a target site of internal body tissue. A counter electrode is in electrical communication with the source electrode, and is configured to cooperate with the source electrode to form a localized electric field proximate to the target site. A reservoir is configured to be disposed such that the reservoir is capable of interacting with the localized electric field. The reservoir is configured to carry a cargo capable of being delivered to the target site when exposed to the localized electric field. Associated methods are also provided.

A pessary for the prevention of preterm birth, and in particular two pathological conditions of pregnancy known as isthmico-cervical incontinence and cervical shortening, both of which are associated with increased risks for pregnancy loss and/or premature deliveries of babies. The pessary includes a sleeve supported within a ring by an annular member. The sleeve is intended to contact the cervix and maximize the length of the cervix while the annular member and ring contact the vagina. The pessary may be fabricated from a pliable medical-grade silicon, and the pessary may include one or more sensors to measure various patient parameters indicative of a premature cervical contraction.

The present invention relates to a male contraception apparatus for obtaining a time-limited sterility of a male mammalian individual. The apparatus comprises a restriction device adapted to restrict the lumen of a vas deferens of the mammalian, and a controller operable to control the restriction device to restrict the lumen of the vas deferens during a controlled period to prevent sperms from reaching the urethra of the mammalian. The apparatus further comprises an implantable constriction device configured to gently constrict at least one portion of a tissue wall of the vas deferens to restrict the lumen of the vas deferens such that the flow of sperms in the vas deferens is restricted, and a stimulation device configured to stimulate the constricted wall portion of the tissue wall.

The present invention relates to a non-invasive device and method for treating and improving dysfunction or disorders associated with pelvic floor. In one advantageous form, the non-invasive device comprising a generator configured to generate a current with a predetermined intensity of milliampere at a desirable frequency; at least one electrical stimulation applicator comprising a probe unit configured to transmit the current to a target body surface of vulvar tissues and/or pelvic floor muscle for application of an electrical stimulation; wherein the probe unit comprises a negative electrode and at least one positive electrode and the probe unit is shaped for positioning on the target body surface of the vulvar tissues and/or the pelvic floor muscle.

Devices, systems and related methods for direct and in-vivo monitoring and stimulation of the endometrial cavity include a plurality of sensing modalities incorporated on a set of flexible conductive filaments that allows its insertion in an endometrial cavity through the vagina. The flexible set of conductive filaments is in direct contact with the endometrium to maximize recording sensitivity and acquire direct readings, which correspond to the functionality of the endometrium and/or electrically stimulate endometrial peristalsis in a controlled manner. The same electrodes can be used for a controlled stimulation to strengthen weakened muscle tissue before and after medical and surgical interventions on the uterus, to reset to normal contractility. The methods and systems disclosed herein can be used to improve the chances of success for artificial insemination, including in-vitro fertilization, embryo transfer, and intrauterine insemination, diagnostic tests, and may further improve the overall understanding of endometrial functionality.

An apparatus for controlling a flow of sperms in a uterine tube formed by a uterine tube wall of a patient's uterine tube comprises an implantable constriction device for gently constricting (i.e. without substantially hampering the blood circulation in the uterine tube wall) at least one portion of the uterine tube wall to influence the flow in the uterine tube, and a stimulation device for stimulating the wall portion of the uterine tube wall. A control device controls the stimulation device to stimulate the wall portion, as the constriction device constricts the wall portion, to cause contraction of the wall portion constricted by the constriction device to further influence the flow in the uterine tube. The apparatus can be used for restricting or stopping the flow in the uterine tube, or for actively moving the fluid in the uterine tube, with a low risk of injuring the uterine tube.

A surgical method of treating a patient is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: cutting the patient's skin and abdominal wall; dissecting an area of the patient's intestine; and dissecting a portion of the dissected intestinal area such that intestinal mesentery connected thereto is opened in such a way that supply of blood through the mesentery to the dissected intestinal area is maintained as much as possible on both sides of the dissected portion. The method further comprises the steps of dividing the patient's intestine in the dissected portion so as to create an upstream part of the intestine with a first intestinal opening and a downstream part of the intestine with a second intestinal opening with the mesentery still maintaining a tissue connection between the upstream and downstream intestine parts.

Methods and devices for treating erectile dysfunction are disclosed. Methods are aimed at reducing blood outflow from penile tissue by delivering energy to specific penile tissue that controls blood outflow from the penile tissue and causing remodeling of the specific penile tissue. Devices may be configured to generate RF energy and to apply the generated RF energy to a penis to thereby elevate a temperature of internal penile tissue above a predetermined temperature value while maintaining a penile surface below a predetermined temperature threshold. The predetermined temperature value may be set to initiate synthesis and/or a regeneration of collagen fibers in a collagen-rich penile connective tissue and/or to increase oxygenation of endothelial cells, initiate angiogenesis and neovascularization in a vascular penile tissue. Additionally, electrical penile stimulation is disclosed, possibly applicable in conjuncture with the erectile dysfunction treatment.

A system for electrical stimulation of nerves of a living being, including a pulse generator configured to provide a sequence of electrical pulses to at least one electrode that are maintained in close proximity to the nerve of interest with the use of a feature to secure the electrode to the skin or tissue of the living being.