Systems and methods for soft tissue reconstruction

• US 20050283189A1
• Filed: 08/26/2005
• Published: 12/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Peter L. Rosenblatt
• Original Assignee: Peter L. Rosenblatt
• Inventors: Rosenblatt, Peter L.
• Application Number:
  US11/212,274
• Publication Number:
  US 20050283189A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/216
• 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 17/0482 Needle or suture guides guides for drills, pins or wire A61B17/17; for puncturing needles A61B17/3403
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/06109 Big needles, either gripped by hand or connectable to a handle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/064 Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0643 with separate closing member, e.g. for interlocking with staple
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0644 penetrating the tissue, deformable to closed position
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/068 Surgical staplers , e.g. containing multiple staples or clampsstaplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105; for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; staplers in general B25C5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0682 for applying U-shaped staples or clamps, e.g. without a forming anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/072 for applying a row of staples in a single action , e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/076 for removing surgical staples or wound clamps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/08 Wound clamps or clips, i.e. not or only partly penetrating the tissue suture bridges A61B17/0466; Devices for bringing together the edges of a wound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/10 for applying or removing wound clamps, e.g. containing only one clamp or staple A61B17/076 takes precedence; containing multiple wound clamps A61B17/068; Wound clamp magazines containers, packaging elements or packages specially adapted for particular articles or with special means for dispensing contents B65D83/00, B65D85/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/29 Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/42 Gynaecological or obstetrical instruments or methods ligaturing clamps or clips for the umbilical cord A61B17/122; curettage A61B17/320708; dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable or resorptive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00805 Treatment of female stress urinary incontinence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00867 shape memory effect
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0409 Instruments for applying suture anchors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0412 having anchoring barbs or pins extending outwardly from suture anchor body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0417 T-fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/042 : plastically deformed during insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0422 : by insertion of a separate member into the body of the anchor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0427 : having anchoring barbs or pins extending outwardly from the anchor body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0435 : the barbs being separate elements mechanically linked to the anchor, e.g. by pivots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0437 : the barbs being resilient or spring-like
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/044 : with a threaded shaft, e.g. screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0441 : the shaft being a rigid coil or spiral
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06052 : Needle-suture combinations in which a suture is extending inside a hollow tubular needle, e.g. over the entire length of the needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0648 : threaded, e.g. tacks with a screw thread
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0649 : Coils or spirals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 : the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0077 : Special surfaces of prostheses, e.g. for improving ingrowth A61F2/30767 takes precedence

Abstract

Systems and methods for soft tissue reconstruction using one or more soft tissue fixation devices are disclosed. In certain embodiments, these systems and methods are used to reconstruct defects or abnormalities in the female pelvic floor by using one or more fixation devices to correct the defect or abnormality.

Claims

1. A method of soft tissue reconstructive surgery, the method comprising approximating at least one soft tissue fixation device to a first supporting anatomic structure to correct a soft tissue laxity.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising approximating the at least one soft tissue fixation device to a first supporting anatomic structure to correct a pelvic floor laxity.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising correcting the pelvic floor laxity by holding a graft material between a first soft tissue fixation device and a second soft tissue fixation device.

4. The method of claim 3 in which at least one of the first and second soft tissue fixation devices is approximated to ATFP, a sacrospinous ligament, a levator ani muscle or a uterosacral ligament.

5. The method of claim 3 further comprising using an applicator to approximate at least one of the first soft tissue fixation device or the second soft tissue fixation device.

6. The method of claim 3 further comprising configuring the graft material as a mesh.

7. The method of claim 3 further comprising correcting the pelvic floor laxity without any incision in a vaginal wall.

8. The method of claim 3 further comprising approximating three or more soft tissue fixation devices to hold the graft material between the soft tissue fixation devices.

9. An applicator constructed and arranged to approximate at least one soft tissue fixation device to a first supporting anatomic structure to correct a soft tissue laxity.

10. The applicator of claim 9 in which the applicator is constructed and arranged to correct a pelvic floor laxity.

11. The applicator of claim 10 in which the applicator is constructed and arranged to correct the pelvic floor laxity without making an incision in a vaginal wall.

12. The applicator of claim 9 in which the applicator is configured to receive at least one soft tissue fixation device.

13. A kit for soft tissue reconstructive surgery comprising:

an applicator constructed and arranged to approximate at least one soft tissue fixation device to a first supporting anatomic structure to correct a soft tissue laxity; and

instructions for use of the applicator in a soft tissue reconstructive procedure.

14. The kit of claim 13 in which the applicator is constructed and arranged to approximate at least one soft tissue fixation device to a first supporting anatomic structure to correct a pelvic floor laxity.

15. The kit of claim 13 in which the applicator is constructed and arranged for inserting at least two soft tissue fixation devices simultaneously.

16. The kit of claim 13 further comprising a graft material.

17. The kit of claim 16 in which the graft material is a mesh.

18. The kit of claim 13 further comprising a soft tissue fixation device.

19. The kit of claim 16 further comprising a soft tissue fixation device.

20. The kit of claim 19 wherein the soft tissue fixation device is selected from the group consisting of staples, screws, barbed tacks, and anchors.