SELF-ANCHORING SLING AND INTRODUCER SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A method of treating urinary incontinence, the method comprising:
- securing a tip portion of an introducer shaft to a first connector of a surgical implant using a snap fit connection, the surgical implant including a support portion having a first end and a second end;
positioning the support portion under the urethra of the patient by inserting the first end of the support portion into the pelvic area of a patient; and
releasing the snap fit connection and disconnecting the tip portion of the introducer from the surgical implant.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for supporting the urethra using an introducer needle, the ends of which are flattened and which have openings therethrough, a handle having a latch mechanism which engages the opening in the flattened portion of the first end of the introducer needle, an implant, and a connector joining the end of the implant to the flattened portion of one of the ends of the introducer needle. These components are used to draw the implant into position, either through vaginal or abdominal incisions, to form a U-shaped loop beneath the urethra. The ends of the implant are adjusted to provide proper support for the urethra.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method of treating urinary incontinence, the method comprising:
-
securing a tip portion of an introducer shaft to a first connector of a surgical implant using a snap fit connection, the surgical implant including a support portion having a first end and a second end; positioning the support portion under the urethra of the patient by inserting the first end of the support portion into the pelvic area of a patient; and releasing the snap fit connection and disconnecting the tip portion of the introducer from the surgical implant. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. A method for treating urinary incontinence, the method comprising:
-
positioning a support portion under a urethra of a patient by inserting a first end of a support portion of a surgical implant into a pelvic area of a patient, the surgical implant including a first connector element coupled to the first end of the support portion and releasably connected to a tip member of an introducer; and disconnecting the first connector element from the introducer by activating an actuation assembly of the introducer and longitudinally moving the tip member relative to a shaft of the introducer. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A method for treating urinary incontinence, the method comprising:
-
positioning a support portion under a urethra of a patient by inserting a first end of a support portion of a surgical implant into a pelvic area of a patient, the surgical implant including a first connector coupled to the first end of the support portion and releasably connected to a tip of an introducer, the first connector having an anchor feature configured for anchoring in soft tissue and a connection feature configured to releasably secure the first connector to the shaft of the introducer; and disconnecting the first connector from the introducer, the introducer having a flat spatulated portion forming a rectangular opening into which the first connector is received. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification