Device and method for transvaginally suspending the bladder neck
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A tissue suspender for elevating and suspending tissue from an internal support structure, comprising:
- a support body having a first tissue contacting side;
at least first and second projections extending from the support body, the projections being adapted for displacement between a first position in which the projections extend generally away from the first tissue contacting side of the support body for penetration of tissue, and a second position in which the first and second projections are inclined towards each other in the distal direction to grasp and retain an internal support structure, wherein the support body has an enlarged central portion relative to the projections, the enlarged central portion having a plurality of openings therein to allow for tissue inprowth and being enlarged in a plane which is generally parallel to the first tissue contacting side of the support body in order to distribute forces on the tissue about a larger area of the tissue.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to a tissue staple and staple applier for use in suspending tissue from an internal support structure. The present invention also relates to a transvaginal method of suspending a bladder neck from an internal support structure, such as the pubic bone, using the tissue staple and staple applier.
326 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A tissue suspender for elevating and suspending tissue from an internal support structure, comprising:
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a support body having a first tissue contacting side; at least first and second projections extending from the support body, the projections being adapted for displacement between a first position in which the projections extend generally away from the first tissue contacting side of the support body for penetration of tissue, and a second position in which the first and second projections are inclined towards each other in the distal direction to grasp and retain an internal support structure, wherein the support body has an enlarged central portion relative to the projections, the enlarged central portion having a plurality of openings therein to allow for tissue inprowth and being enlarged in a plane which is generally parallel to the first tissue contacting side of the support body in order to distribute forces on the tissue about a larger area of the tissue.
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2. A method of elevating the bladder neck and suspending the elevated bladder neck from an internal support structure in a female human patient having stress urinary incontinence, comprising the steps of:
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providing a tissue suspender comprising a support body having a first tissue contacting side, the tissue suspender also comprising at least a first and second projections extending from the support body, and adapted for displacement between a first position in which the projections extend generally away from the first tissue contacting side of the support body for penetration of tissue, and a second position in which the first and second projections are inclined towards each other in the distal direction to grasp and retain an internal suport structure; transvaginally introducing the tissue suspender into the patient'"'"'s body; advancing the first and second projections through the vaginal mucosa and towards an internal support structure to elevate the bladder neck; thereafter deflecting the distal ends of the first and second projections medially to engage the support structure, thereby retaining the tissue suspender. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of suspending a bladder neck from an internal support structure in a patient, comprising the steps of:
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providing a tissue staple with an enlarged central portion having a plurality of openings therethrough for allowing tissue ingrowth; transvaginally introducing the tissue staple into the patient'"'"'s body; locating a site on a vaginal mucosa generally adjacent the internal support structure; positioning the staple against the site on the vaginal mucosa; and advancing the staple through the site on the vaginal mucosa and into the internal support structure to suspend the bladder neck from the internal support structure. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A tissue support for use in treating urinary incontinence, comprising:
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a support body having a first tissue contacting side for contacting a tissue to be supported, said support body having a plurality of openings therethrough for allowing tissue ingrowth; a first securing section extending from a first end of said support body, said first securing section being adapted for securing said support body relative to the tissue to be supported when said first securing section is placed in a first securing tissue; and a second securing section located on a second end of said support body, said second securing section being adapted for securing said support body relative to the tissue to be supported when said second securing section is placed in a second securing tissue. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of treating urinary incontinence, comprising the steps of:
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providing a tissue support comprising a support body having a first tissue contacting side for contacting a tissue to be supported, said support body having a plurality of openings therethrough for allowing tissue ingrowth, a first securing section extending from a first end of said support body, said first securing section being adapted for securing said support body relative to the tissue to be supported when said first securing section is placed in a first securing tissue, and a second securing section located on a second end of said support body, said second securing section being adapted for securing said support body relative to the tissue to be supported when said second securing section is placed in a second securing tissue; transvaginally introducing said tissue support into the patient; and positioning said first and second securing sections in the first and second securing tissues to secure the first tissue contacting side against the tissue to be supported, wherein said tissue to be supported is generally adjacent to a urethra in order to treat the urinary incontinence. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification