Implantable article
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An implantable article for urological applications such as a sling procedure, the article comprising:
- an elongate biocompatible material having first and second major surfaces, edges and first and second ends defining an overall longitudinal axial length therebetween, at least one fold about the longitudinal axis so as to reduce the overall axial length, and releasable holding means for retaining the at least one fold in a folded position and, upon release, for affording unfolding of the at least one fold to reduce the tension of the implantable article.
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Abstract
An implantable article is disclosed. The implantable article includes features for tightening or loosening the implantable article. In preferred embodiments, the adjustment may occur post or perioperatively.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. An implantable article for urological applications such as a sling procedure, the article comprising:
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an elongate biocompatible material having first and second major surfaces, edges and first and second ends defining an overall longitudinal axial length therebetween, at least one fold about the longitudinal axis so as to reduce the overall axial length, and releasable holding means for retaining the at least one fold in a folded position and, upon release, for affording unfolding of the at least one fold to reduce the tension of the implantable article. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. An implantable article for urological applications such as a sling procedure, the article comprising:
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an elongate biocompatible material having first and second major surfaces, a pair of edges, first and second ends defining an overall longitudinal axial length therebetween, a mid portion and first and second end portions, an adjustment filament element axially woven through the biocompatible material so as to alternatively project above one major surface and then another major surface along the first end portion, the adjustment filament being associated with the biocompatiable material to afford a reduction or an increase in the tension of the implantable article, and wherein the article is constructed and arranged such that the mid portion of the biocompatible material may be placed adjacent to target anatomical tissue such as the urethra without any filament element situated between a major surface of the mid portion of the biocompatible material and the target anatomical tissue. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method of treating incontinence comprising the steps of:
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providing a sling comprising an elongate biocompatible material having first and second major surfaces, edges, and first and second ends defining an overall longitudinal axial length therebetween, at least one fold about the longitudinal axis so as to reduce the overall axial length of the sling, and releasable holding means for retaining the at least one fold in a folded position and, upon release, for affording unfolding of the at least one fold to increase the overall axial length, implanting the sling, and releasing the releasable holding means to reduce the tension of the sling. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32)
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33. A method of treating incontinence comprising the steps of:
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providing a sling comprising an elongate biocompatible material having first and second major surfaces, first and second ends defining an overall longitudinal axial length therebetween, a mid portion and first and second end portions, axially weaving a first filament element through the biocompatible material so as to alternatively project above one major surface and then another major surface along the first end portion such that the length of the biocompatible material may be adjusted, implanting the sling such that the mid portion of the biocompatible material is situated adjacent the urethra without any filament element situated between a major surface of the mid portion of the biocompatible material and the urethra; and
manipulating the filament element to increase or decrease the tension of the sling. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35)
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Specification