Method and apparatus for supporting a body organ

• US 20020007222A1
• Filed: 07/20/2001
• Published: 01/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Mentor Corporation (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Mentor Corporation (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Desai, Ashvin
• Application Number:
  US09/910,474
• Publication Number:
  US 20020007222A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/23.65
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0401 Suture anchors, buttons or pledgets, i.e. means for attaching sutures to bone, cartilage or soft tissue; Instruments for applying or removing suture anchors A61B17/0642 takes precedence; fixation devices for tendons or ligaments A61F2/0811
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/06109 Big needles, either gripped by hand or connectable to a handle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00805 Treatment of female stress urinary incontinence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0412 having anchoring barbs or pins extending outwardly from suture anchor body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0414 having a suture-receiving opening, e.g. lateral opening lateral eyelet for attaching suture to needle A61B2017/06019
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0427 having anchoring barbs or pins extending outwardly from the anchor body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0036 implantable A61F2/0018 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0045 Support slings
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/848 having means for fixation to the vessel wall, e.g. barbs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/88 the wire-like elements formed as helical or spiral coils forming a net-like or mesh-like structure A61F2/90
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/91 made from perforated sheet material or tubes, e.g. perforated by laser cuts or etched holes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/92 Stents in the form of a rolled-up sheet expanding after insertion into the vessel , e.g. with a spiral shape in cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/958 Inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30092 using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30199 Three-dimensional shapes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0033 electrically, e.g. heated by resistor
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0038 electromagnetically
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0008 Fixation appliances for connecting prostheses to the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0016 with sharp anchoring protrusions, e.g. barbs, pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0063 Three-dimensional shapes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0076 : ellipsoidal or ovoid
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0078 : hyperboloidal
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/604 : Biodegradation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/606 : Coatings
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/06 : obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds A61L31/041 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/082 : Inorganic materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/10 : Macromolecular materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/16 : Biologically active materials, e.g. therapeutic substances A61L31/047 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 67/04 : Polyesters derived from hydroxycarboxylic acids, e.g. lactones C08L67/06 takes precedence

Abstract

A structural apparatus positioned exterior of a body organ for providing support. In one configuration, the support is in the form of a strap that has a first length with holes in which a second length with saw tooth edges is inserted to form a band to surround and give support to a body organ. In a second configuration, a sling has a central portion with saw tooth edge lengths extending in opposite directions. The central portion provides a support surface for an organ, and each saw tooth extension is embedded in part in muscle tissue, forming a supportive sling for the organ. The structural apparatus is basically constructed from polymer material that can be either bioabsorbable or non-absorbable, and alternatively can be coated with one or more layers of material including treatment substances, and additional structural additions such as cushioning, balloon material and other surface configuration.

Claims

1. An apparatus for supporting/suspending a body organ comprising:

(a) an elongated member for supporting a body organ constructed of material selected from a first group consisting of polymers and co-polymers, said member including

(i) a first length having a plurality of protrusions and a first end portion with a guide hole for attachment of a tool; and

(ii) a second length having a first end attached to a second end of said first length.

2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said second length has a plurality of holes therethru for passage of a portion of said first length for forming an adjustable self locking band shaped structure for said supporting of a body organ.

3. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said elongated member further includes a third length having a first end attached to a second end of said second length forming a sling, and wherein said third length includes protrusions.

4. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said material further includes a treatment substance.

5. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein a selected said material is biodegradable.

6. An apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein a second end of said third length has at least one guide hole.

7. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said elongated member includes

(a) a first base layer constructed of said material;

and

(b) a second layer formed on said first layer, said second layer constructed from material selected from said first group and from a second group consisting of a treatment substance.

8. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said member is constructed by a method of material interleaving.

9. An apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein said member is textured to enhance tissue adherence.

10. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said member is constructed including one or more pockets containing a substance for providing shock absorption.

11. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said member includes a cavity construction for injection of a substance for providing adjustable tension or compressive force.

12. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said material is selected from a third group consisting of an FDA approved color dye and a color polymer blend to improve visibility against body tissue.

14. An apparatus as recited in claim 5 wherein said material is selected to achieve a desired mechanical property and absorption time in a body.

15. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said material changes length and shape in response to a change of temperature.

16. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said material changes length in response to application of electrical energy.

17. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said material changes in length in response to application of magnetic energy.

35. An apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein said protrusions provide adjustable self locking of said first and third lengths in body tissue.

13. An apparatus for installing a structure for supporting a body organ comprising:

(a) an elongated, curved needle with a hooked tip at each of first and second ends of said needle; and

(b) a removable handle for attachment on a selected one of said first and second ends of said needle.

18. A method of supporting a body organ including placing an elongated support apparatus in contact with an exterior of said organ.

19. A method as recited in claim 18 wherein said support is a band placed around said organ.

20. A method as recited in claim 18 wherein said support is a sling having ends anchored in muscle tissue.

21. A method as recited in claim 18 wherein said support is a sling with an integrated band.

22. A method as recited in claim 18 wherein said support is constructed from material including a polymer.

23. A method as recited in claim 22 wherein said support is constructed from material selected from the group consisting of bioabsorbable and nonbioabsorbable polymers, pharmaceutical drugs and chemical agents.

24. A method as recited in claim 19 wherein said band is constructed with a self locking adjustable feature.

25. A method as recited in claim 20 wherein said sling is adjustable and self locking in length.

26. A method as recited in claim 18 wherein said support includes a cavity and a valve for injection of a substance for expanding said cavity for providing compression around said body organ.

27. A method as recited in claim 18 wherein said support is installed through an incision into a body cavity containing said organ.

28. A method as recited in claim 19 wherein said band is for treatment of sphincter deficiency.

29. A method as recited in claim 28 wherein said organ is selected from the group consisting of a urethra, a colon, a stomach, rectum and uterus.

30. A method as recited in claim 20 wherein said sling has a multi-layered construction with inner and outer extension lengths that can be pulled and pushed to adjust tension on an organ.

31. A method as recited in claim 18 wherein a length of said support is adjustable using thermal energy.

32. A method as recited in claim 18 wherein a length of said support is adjustable using electrical energy.

33. A method as recited in claim 18 wherein a length of said support is adjustable using magnetic energy.

34. A method as recited in claim 18 wherein said support is constructed of bioabsorbable polymers and copolymers selected to meet a desired mechanical property and a desired absorption rate.

36. A method of supporting a body organ comprising injecting a substance between said organ and another body part.

37. A method as recited in claim 36 further comprising curing said substance to a solid phase.

38. A method as recited in claim 37 wherein said curing is a method selected from the group consisting of application of heat, cold, radio frequency radiation, a magnetic field, and application of a chemical.