Pubovaginal sling device
First Claim
1. A sling device for surgical implantation in a human recipient to support the urethra, the sling device comprising:
- an elongated strip of supple material which is biologically acceptable for implantation into the human recipient, the elongated strip of supple material having a looping limb and an extending limb extending from either side of a center portion, the center portion including a slot through which the looping limb can pass to thereby form a loop in the elongated strip of supple material for encircling the urethra to exert circumferential pressure on the urethra for the prevention of urinary incontinence.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sling device for surgical implantation into human recipient to support the urethra, the sling including an elongated strip of supple material. The elongated strip has a center portion, opposite first and second side portions, and a slot passing through the center portion, through which one of the side portions can pass, thereby forming a loop in the elongated strip. The material is a biological acceptable material for implantation into the human recipient, preferably selected from the group consisting of synthetic polymers, processed animal tissues, and combination thereof. A method of reducing the incidence of involuntary urination or restoring urinary continence in an incontinent human subject is also disclosed, including the steps of providing a sling device of the type previously described and surgically implanting the sling device in the human subject so that the urethra is biased upward so as to elevate the urethra.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A sling device for surgical implantation in a human recipient to support the urethra, the sling device comprising:
an elongated strip of supple material which is biologically acceptable for implantation into the human recipient, the elongated strip of supple material having a looping limb and an extending limb extending from either side of a center portion, the center portion including a slot through which the looping limb can pass to thereby form a loop in the elongated strip of supple material for encircling the urethra to exert circumferential pressure on the urethra for the prevention of urinary incontinence. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A sling device for surgical implantation in a human recipient to support the urethra, the sling device comprising:
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an elongated strip of material having variable dimensions including a thickness, a width and a length; wherein the length is greater than the width and the width is greater than the thickness; the elongated strip having a center portion and opposite first and second side portions interconnected with and extending away from the center portion, the side portions including an extending limb and a looping limb, the looping limb having a smallest width which is less than a largest width of the center portion, the center portion including a slot through which the looping limb can pass, thereby forming a loop in the elongated strip which encircles and supports the urethra to prevent urinary incontinence; wherein the material is a supple material which is sterile or can be effectively sterilized, and is otherwise biologically acceptable for implantation into the human recipient. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method of reducing the incidence of involuntary urination in an incontinent human subject, wherein said incontinent human subject is a woman having a urethra, other tissues in general proximity to the urethra, and an abdominal rectus sheath, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a sling device for surgical implantation into said incontinent human subject, said sling device including an elongated strip of supple material having a looping limb and an extending limb extending from a center portion, said center portion having a slot through which said looping limb can pass, said material being biologically acceptable for implantation into said incontinent human subject; and (b) surgically implanting said sling device in said incontinent human subject such that said looping limb passes through said slot to form a loop which encircles said urethra, such that said looping limb and said extending limb encircle said other internal tissues, and such that said looping limb and said extending limb are fixed together to exert sufficient tension to restrain said loop such that said urethra is biased upward, closer to said other internal tissues within said incontinent human subject, when said incontinent human subject is in a standing position. - View Dependent Claims (31)
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Specification