Incontinence sling
First Claim
1. A urinary incontinence sling positionable in an abdomen between a urethra and a vagina to compress the urethra, said sling comprising an elongated tube having opposite end portions and an intermediate portion positioned between said end portions, said intermediate portion being bendable to form a substantially U-shaped cradle positionable adjacent to the urethra, said end portions being positionable so as to extend through the abdomen in a direction away from the vagina, said end portions being in anchoring engagement with living tissue forming said abdomen, said intermediate portion compressing said urethra with a predetermined force.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A sling for controlling urinary incontinence is disclosed. The sling is formed from a tube having substantially lengthwise inextensible end portions and an elastically lengthwise extensible intermediate portion between the end portions. The intermediate portion has a U-shape which cradles the urethra. The end portions extend through the abdominal tissue to anchor the intermediate portion in position. The sling places the urethra under a transverse compressive load to hold it closed and prevent inadvertent urination. The tube is formed from interlaced filamentary members. Interlacing may be by warp knitting, weaving using a leno weave or braiding using a tri-axial braid structure. The end portions have a rough texture to facilitate anchoring in the tissue of the abdominal wall. The intermediate portion is smooth and soft to prevent tissue erosion.
242 Citations
32 Claims
- 1. A urinary incontinence sling positionable in an abdomen between a urethra and a vagina to compress the urethra, said sling comprising an elongated tube having opposite end portions and an intermediate portion positioned between said end portions, said intermediate portion being bendable to form a substantially U-shaped cradle positionable adjacent to the urethra, said end portions being positionable so as to extend through the abdomen in a direction away from the vagina, said end portions being in anchoring engagement with living tissue forming said abdomen, said intermediate portion compressing said urethra with a predetermined force.
- 18. A urinary incontinence sling positionable in an abdomen between a urethra and a vagina to compress the urethra, said sling comprising elongated end portions oppositely disposed and an intermediate portion positioned between said end portions, said intermediate portion being bendable to form a substantially U-shaped cradle positionable adjacent to the urethra, said end portions being substantially inextensible, said end portions being positionable so as to extend through the abdomen in a direction away from the vagina, said end portions being in anchoring engagement with living tissue forming said abdomen, said intermediate portion compressing said urethra with a predetermined force.
Specification