Apparatus and method for treating female urinary incontinence

• US 7,789,821 B2
• Filed: 08/08/2005
• Issued: 09/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Coloplast A/S
• Original Assignee: Gyne Ideas Limited
• Inventors: Browning, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Lacyk; John P
• Application Number:
  US11/199,061
• Publication Number:
  US 20060041185A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,856 Days
• Field of Search: 600 29- 31, 600/37, 128/DIG.25, 128897-898, 606139-144, 606151-158, 606232-233
• US Class Current: 600/37
• 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 17/06109 Big needles, either gripped by hand or connectable to a handle
• 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 2017/0412 having anchoring barbs or pins extending outwardly from suture anchor body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0414 having a suture-receiving opening, e.g. lateral opening lateral eyelet for attaching suture to needle A61B2017/06019
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0417 T-fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0427 having anchoring barbs or pins extending outwardly from the anchor body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0435 the barbs being separate elements mechanically linked to the anchor, e.g. by pivots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0464 for soft tissue
• 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 2230/0067 conical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0007 for adjusting length

Abstract

The present invention provides a surgical implant and method for supporting the urethra, the implant comprising a suburethral support suspended between two soft tissue anchors that do not penetrate the lower abdominal wall and are attached at either side of the sururethral support. The soft tissue anchors retain each anchor in soft tissue, suspending each side of the suburethrasl support. The suburethral support passes under the urethra to support the urethra. The implant has uses including treating urinary incontinence and uterovasginal prolapse.

Claims

1. A method for providing support to a urethra in a patient comprising the steps of:

(a) introducing through an incision in the vaginal wall, a surgical implant comprising, a suburethral support, at least two soft tissue anchors, and at least two suspending strips, each suspending strip extending between the suburethral support and one of the at least two soft tissue anchors;

(b) positioning the suburethral support under the urethra;

(c) introducing one of said at least two soft tissue anchors through a para-urethral tunnel on one side of the urethra;

(d) introducing the other of said at least two soft tissue anchors through a para-urethral tunnel on the other side of the urethra; and

(e) positioning each of said soft tissue anchors in tissue comprising soft tissue without penetrating the rectus sheath.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein said suburethral support is joined to said suspending strip by an attachment tab.

3. The method according to claim 2 wherein said joining of said attachment tab is releasable.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the soft tissue anchors may be repositioned within the soft tissue to adjust the position of the suburethral support.

5. The method according to claim 1 further comprising introducing a tool into the soft tissue for accessing and placing one or more of the soft tissue anchors in said soft tissues, wherein the tool comprises a housing for receiving the one or more soft tissue anchors.

6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the method provides support to the urethra for treating incontinence.

7. The method according to claim 1 wherein the method provides support to the urethra for treating a uterovaginal prolapse.

8. The method according to claim 1 wherein the soft tissue comprises fibro-fatty tissue.

9. The method according to claim 1 wherein positioning said soft tissue anchors comprises positioning a plurality of projections extending from said soft tissue anchors into said soft tissue.

10. The method according to claim 1 wherein positioning said suburethral support comprises positioning a suburethral support having a length in the range of about 15-35 mm and a width in the range of about 5-15 mm under the urethra.

11. The method according to claim 1 wherein the position of the suburethral support is adjustable by adjusting the length of the suspending strip.