Protective sheath for transvaginal anchor implantation device

• US 6,440,154 B2
• Filed: 03/12/2001
• Issued: 08/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Scimed Life Systems Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Scimed Life Systems Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Brenneman, Rodney, Gellman, Barry N., Sauvageau, David J., Morin, Armand A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Jeffrey A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Priddy, Michael B.
• Application Number:
  US09/804,500
• Publication Number:
  US 20010010008A1
• Time in Patent Office: 533 Days
• Field of Search: 606/139, 606/148, 606/193, 606/198, 606/232, 600/29, 600/30
• US Class Current: 606/232
• 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 17/0493 Protective devices for suturing, i.e. for protecting the patient's organs or the operator
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00805 Treatment of female stress urinary incontinence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0409 Instruments for applying suture anchors for applying suture clamps, clips or locks A61B2017/0488
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0801 Prevention of accidental cutting or pricking
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/40032 Details regarding a bus interface enhancer
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/413 with random access, e.g. carrier-sense multiple-access with collision detection [CSMA-CD]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/062 using different frequency bands for speech and other data

Abstract

Bone anchor implantation devices and methods for their use are disclosed. The bone anchor implantation devices and methods find particular application in maintaining or improving urinary continence by suspending or stabilizing the bladder neck. Protective sheaths for covering a bone anchor on a bone anchor implantation device are disclosed. The protective sheaths protect the bone anchor from contacting tissue during insertion and prevent contamination of the bone anchor.

Claims

1. A bone anchor implantation device, comprising:

a hook-shaped shaft having a first end and a second end;

a bone anchor releasably engaged to one end of the shaft; and

a protective sheath for encapsulating the bone anchor prior to implantation, wherein the protective sheath comprises a gelatin structure.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said gelatin structure contains an antibiotic.

3. The device of claim 1 further comprising a port which extends from the first end to the second end of said shaft into the gelatin structure.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein said antibiotic is released when the gelatin structure is perforated.

5. The device of claim 2, wherein said antibiotic is selected from the group consisting of nafcillin, aminoglycoside, ciprofloxin, clindamcin, piperacillin/tazobactum, ampicillin/sulbactum, aminoglycoside, vancomycin, cephalosporin, TMP/SMX, ampicillin, gentaminicin, tobramycin and ciprofloxacin.