Aiming device for surgical instrument and method for use for treating female urinary incontinence

• US 20020068948A1
• Filed: 04/23/2001
• Published: 06/06/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Hoepffner, Jochen, Stormby, Johan, Landgrebe, Susanne, Lehe, Jorn
• Granted Patent: US 6,596,001 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/151
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0469 Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
• 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 2017/0472 Multiple-needled, e.g. double-needled, instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06057 Double-armed sutures, i.e. sutures having a needle attached to each end
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0608 J-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06085 having a blunt tip

Abstract

Described is a surgical instrument and method for treating female urinary stress incontinence. The instrument includes a curved needle-like element defining in part a curved shaft having a distal end and a proximal end. A tape attaches to the needle for implanting into the lower abdomen of a female to provide support to the urethra. The tape may be made from synthetic and natural materials. The needle and tape may also be modified to allow the surgeon to attach and detach the tape during the surgical operation. The needle attaches to a handle on which attaches a mechanical arm to track the position of the needle point as it passes through the body and exits the abdominal wall.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument for treating female urinary stress incontinence comprising:

a) a handle having a proximal end and a distal end;

b) a surgical element defining in part a curved shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end connected to the distal end of the handle; and

;

c) an articulating mechanical arm having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein, the proximal end couples to the handle and in the distal end aligns with the distal end of the surgical element.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1 further comprising a tape for implanting into the lower abdomen of a female to provide support to the urethra.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the mechanical arm comprises a stationary element and a rotating element.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 3, wherein the stationary element is Z-shaped.

5. A method for treating female urinary incontinence comprising the steps of:

a) providing a first and second curved element, each defining a curved shaft having a distal end and a proximal end;

b) providing an articulating mechanical arm connected to a handle and configured for tracking the location of the distal end of the first and second curved elements;

c) passing the first needle and tape into the body via the vagina and on one side of the urethra and extending the tape over the pubic bone and through the abdomen wall; and

d) passing the second needle and tape into the body via the vagina and on the opposite side of the urethra than the first needle and extending the tape over the pubic bone and through the abdomen wall, creating a supporting sling below the urethra.

6. A method for treating female urinary incontinence comprising the steps of:

a) providing a curved element defining in part a curved shaft having a distal end and a proximal end and a tape attached thereto;

b) providing an articulating mechanical arm connected to a handle and configured for tracking the location of the distal end of the curved element; and

c) passing the needle and tape into the body via the vagina to form a sling around the urethra; and

7. A method for treating female urinary incontinence comprising the steps of:

a) providing a curved element defining in part a curved shaft and having a proximal and distal end;

b) providing an articulating mechanical arm connected to a handle and configured for tracking the location of the distal end of the curved element;

c) attaching a tape to the needle;

d) passing the needle and tape into the body to form a sling around the urethra.

8. A surgical kit for treating female urinary stress incontinence comprising:

a) a surgical element defining in part a curved shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal for connection to a handle; and

;

b) an articulating mechanical arm having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein, the proximal end couples to the handle and in the distal end aligns with the distal end of the surgical element.