Sling adjustment and tensioning accessory

• US 6,702,827 B1
• Filed: 10/01/2001
• Issued: 03/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ASTORA Women's Health, LLC (Endo International PLC)
• Original Assignee: American Medical Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Neisz, Johann J., Watschke, Brian P., Westrum, John W. Jr., Lund, Robert E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Woo, Julian W.
• Application Number:
  US09/968,239
• Time in Patent Office: 890 Days
• Field of Search: 606/151, 606/159, 606/232, 600/29, 600/30, 600/175, 600/179, 600/149, 600/150, 600/37, 602/78, 24/68.CD, 24/71.ST, 241/96, 242/00, 241/36.K, 243/00, 241/29.A, 128/885, 128/898, 128/899
• US Class Current: 606/151
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1227 Spring clips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00805 Treatment of female stress urinary incontinence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0496 for tensioning sutures
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/061 for measuring dimensions, e.g. length
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/064 for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0045 Support slings
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0063 Implantable repair or support meshes, e.g. hernia meshes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0072 Delivery tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30617 Visible markings for adjusting, locating or measuring
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0097 Visible markings, e.g. indicia

Abstract

An anatomical support adjustment and tension control article for use in applying a tensioning force to anatomical support material disposed therein. The tension control article preferably comprises a base member disposing a plurality of tensioning members extending therefrom. The tensioning members create a tortuous pathway thereby providing a tensioning force to anatomical support material positioned therebetween. Additionally, at least one of the plurality of tensioning members may be removed from the device to alter the supportive tension applied by the device. The anatomical support material may be disposed between the plurality of tensioning members in a number of ways, thereby resulting in varying amounts of supportive tension being applied by the device.

Claims

1. A method comprising the steps of:

providing a sling and tensioning article,

associating the tensioning article with the sling,

implanting the sling and associated tensioning article in a position substantially adjacent the urethra so that the tensioning article provides a uniform distance between the urethra and the sling, and

then removing the tensioning article.

2. A method of providing a uniform distance between the urethra and a sling comprising:

providing a sling and tensioning article,

associating the tensioning article with the sling,

implanting the sling and associated tensioning article in a position substantially adjacent the urethra, and

then removing the tensioning article,

wherein the step of providing a sling and tensioning article includes the step of providing a removable insertion sheath surrounding the sling; and

the step of associating the tensioning article with the sling includes the step of associating the sling and sheath combination with the tensioning article.

3. A method comprising the steps of:

providing a sling and tensioning article,

associating the tensioning article with the sling,

implanting the sling and associated tensioning article in a position touching the urethra so that the tensioning article provides a uniform distance between the urethra and the sling, and

then removing the tensioning article.

4. A surgical kit comprising:

a sling for treating urinary incontinence,

surgical articles for implanting the sling, and

a tensioning article that is sized and shaped to be placed between the sling and the urethra of the patient and configured to provide uniform spacing between the sling and the uretha.

5. A method of treating incontinence comprising the steps of:

providing a support material with at least a portion that is elastically deformable,

elastically deforming at least a portion of the support material to tension the support material;

providing a tensioning article,

applying the tensioning article to the tensioning support material to retain at least a portion of the support material in an elastically deformed condition;

implanting the support material with applied tensioning article in a patient;

removing the tensioning article to increase the tension provided by the support material.