Sling delivery system and method of use

• US 6,612,977 B2
• Filed: 07/27/2001
• Issued: 09/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: David Staskin
• Original Assignee: American Medical Systems Incorporated (Endo International PLC)
• Inventors: Neisz, Johann J., Staskin, David R., Westrum, John W. Jr., Rocheleau, Gary A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gilbert, Samuel G.
• Application Number:
  US09/917,443
• Publication Number:
  US 20020099258A1
• Time in Patent Office: 767 Days
• Field of Search: 600/29-32, 128/897, 128/898, 128/DIG.25, 606/119, 606/148, 606/222-225
• US Class Current: 600/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/04 for suturing wounds; Holders or packages for needles or suture materials suture materials A61L17/00
• 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 17/0469 Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
• 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 17/0487 Suture clamps, clips or locks, e.g. for replacing suture knots; Instruments for applying or removing suture clamps, clips or locks suture anchors A61B17/0401; wound clamps or clips A61B17/08; ligaturing clamps or clips A61B17/122
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/06004 Means for attaching suture to needle tipping A61B17/06195; connecting wire to other metallic objects B21F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/06066 Needles, e.g. needle tip configurations making needles B21G1/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/06109 Big needles, either gripped by hand or connectable to a handle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/30 Surgical pincettes without pivotal connectionsfor holding suture needles or materials A61B17/0483; wound clamps A61B17/08 ; hand-held gripping tools without pivotal connections in general B25B9/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3211 Surgical scalpels, knives; Accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3468 for implanting or removing devices, e.g. prostheses, implants, seeds, wires devices for implanting seeds A61M37/0069
• 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 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable for prosthetic joint-implanting tools A61F2/4603
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00805 Treatment of female stress urinary incontinence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0454 the anchor being crimped or clamped on the suture
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06009 having additional means for releasably clamping the suture to the needle, e.g. actuating rod slideable within the needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06014 spring-loaded
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06042 located close to needle tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06085 having a blunt tip blunt dissectors A61B2017/320044
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320044 Blunt dissectors blunt suture needles A61B2017/06085
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/30 : Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments for wound clamps A61B17/10; for ligaturing clips A61B17/122; packages or dispensers for surgical gloves or finger-stalls A61B42/40
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/02 : Devices for expanding tissue, e.g. skin tissue implements for holding wounds open, surgical tractors A61B17/02; implantable mammary prosthesis A61F2/12; dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0045 : Support slings

Abstract

An apparatus and method of use are disclosed to treat urological disorders. The biocompatible device includes a handle, needle, dilator and sling assembly configured to be minimally invasive and provide sufficient support to the target site. In addition, the configuration of the sling assembly also allows the sling to be adjusted during and/or after implantation. The device and treatment procedure are highly effective and produce little to no side effects or complications. Further, operative risks, pain, infections and post operative stays are reduced, thereby improving patient quality of life.

Claims

1. A method of implanting a sling to treat urinary incontinence in a female patient comprising the steps of:

creating at least one incision in the vaginal region of the patient,

creating at least one incision in the suprapubic region of the patient,

providing first and second guide needles,

creating a first pathway on a first side of the patient'"'"'s urethra by initially passing the distal end of the first needle through the incised suprapubic region and then passing the distal end of the first needle through the incised vaginal region,

creating a second pathway on a side of the patient'"'"'s urethra generally opposite the first side by initially passing the distal end of the second needle through the incised suprapubic region and then passing the distal end of the second needle through the incised vaginal region,

providing first and second connectors and a synthetic implantable material, each connector including a taper on the leading edge thereof,

connecting one of the connectors to the distal end of the first needle after the first needle emerges from the incised vaginal region,

connecting the other connector to the distal end of the second needle after the second needle emerges from the incised vaginal region, and

moving the distal ends of the first and second needles and the connectors from the incised vaginal region toward the incised suprapubic region to implant the implantable material in a therapeutically effective position, wherein the moving step includes the step of,

expanding the first and second pathways provided by the first and second needles with the tapered surfaces of the connectors.