Post-radical prostatectomy continence implant

• US 20040143343A1
• Filed: 01/17/2003
• Published: 07/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Massachusetts General Hospital (Mass General Brigham, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Massachusetts General Hospital (Mass General Brigham, Inc.)
• Inventors: Grocela, Joseph A.
• Application Number:
  US10/345,936
• Publication Number:
  US 20040143343A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/23.66
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0036 implantable A61F2/0018 takes precedence

Abstract

A spacer useful for relieving excess pressure exerted on a sphincter muscle by an anatomical structure. A preferred embodiment relates to a urethral spacer. The urethral spacer is a disk-like element formed of an absorbable, biodegradable material, and includes a slot through a portion of the device which permits the disk to be opened up and positioned around the urethra. The urethral spacer is sutured in place around the urethra adjacent to or around the urinary sphincter, preferably after a radical prostatectomy.

Claims

1. An implant for treating incontinence in a patient having a urethra, bladder, and a natural sphincter, comprising:

a spacer comprising an opening therein sized and configured for accommodating the urethra; and

a slot extending from said opening to an outer edge of said spacer;

wherein said spacer has bendable portions on opposing sides of said slot that can be forced away from each other creating an open path for disposing the implant around the urethra and between the bladder and the urinary sphincter.

2. The implant of claim 1 wherein the implant is made from a bioabsorbable material.

3. The implant of claim 2 wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of fascia, dermis, collagen, Polydiaxonone Suture, and Vicryl.

4. The implant of claim 3 wherein the material is cross-linked.

5. The implant of claim 1 wherein the implant is made from a biocompatible material.

6. The implant of claim 5, wherein the material is selected form the group consisting of a polymer, nylon, silicon, nitinol, and surgical stainless steel.

7. The implant of claim 1 wherein said spacer is disc-like in shape.

8. The implant of claim 1 wherein said opening for accommodating the urethra is circular.

21. An implant according to claim 7 wherein the opening includes a diameter between 0.4 to 1.0 centimeters.

22. An implant according to claim 7 wherein the implant includes an outer diameter between 2.0 to 5.0 centimeters.

23. An implant according to claim 7, wherein the implant includes a cylindrical height between 2 millimeters to 1 centimeter.

9. An implant for treating incontinence comprising:

spacing means for spacing a human anatomical structure apart from a human sphincter and relieving pressure exerted on the sphincter by the anatomical structure.

10. The implant of claim 9 further comprising means for retaining said spacing means between a urinary sphincter and a bladder.

11. An implant according to claim 9 wherein said spacing means is disc-like in shape.

12. An implant according to claim 9 wherein said spacing means comprises a means for at least partially encircling a urethra.

13. An implant according to claim 10 wherein said means for retaining said spacing means is at least one suture.

14. An implant according to claim 9 wherein the spacing means is formed from a sufficiently soft material that may be cut to custom-fit the size of the implant to a patient'"'"'s anatomy.

24. An implant according to claim 9 wherein said spacing means comprises a means for at least partially encircling at least one-half of a circumference of a urethra.

25. An implant according to claim 9, wherein said spacing means comprises a means for at least partially encircling at least two-thirds of a circumference of a urethra.

15. A method of alleviating male incontinence due to radical prostatectomy in a patient having a urethra, bladder, bladder neck, and urinary sphincter, the method comprising:

inserting a spacer between the bladder and the urinary sphincter.

16. A method according to claim 15 comprising:

inserting sutures for holding said spacer in place.

17. A method according to claim 15 wherein inserting comprises inserting said spacer at least partially surrounding a human urethra.

18. A method according to claim 15, comprising, before inserting the spacer:

inserting a catheter through the urethra and at least partially into the bladder;

removing a portion of the urethra and the bladder neck, leaving remaining portions of the urethra and the bladder neck; and

pulling the remaining portions of the urethra and the bladder neck towards each other; and

joining the remaining portions together.

19. A method according to claim 15, further comprising:

removing the prostate gland prior to inserting the spacer.

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein inserting the spacer comprises inserting the spacer in approximately the same position adjacent to the urethra as where the prostate gland was positioned.