Apparatus and method for treating female urinary incontinence
DCFirst Claim
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1. A method for providing support to a urethra in a patient comprising the steps of:
- introducing through an incision in the vaginal wall, a surgical implant comprising at least two soft tissue anchors and a suburethral support having a first end attached to one of the at least two soft tissue anchors and a second end attached to the other of the at least two soft tissue anchors, wherein the suburethral support is suspended from the soft tissue anchors;
positioning the suburethral support under the urethra;
introducing one of the at least two soft tissue anchors on one side of the urethra;
introducing the other of the at least two soft tissue anchors on the other side of the urethra; and
positioning each of the soft tissue anchors in tissue comprising soft tissue without penetrating the rectus sheath.
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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 suburethral support. The soft tissue anchors retain each anchor in soft tissue, suspending each side of the suburethral support. The suburethral support passes under the urethra to support the urethra. The implant has uses including treating urinary incontinence and uterovaginal prolapse.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for providing support to a urethra in a patient comprising the steps of:
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introducing through an incision in the vaginal wall, a surgical implant comprising at least two soft tissue anchors and a suburethral support having a first end attached to one of the at least two soft tissue anchors and a second end attached to the other of the at least two soft tissue anchors, wherein the suburethral support is suspended from the soft tissue anchors; positioning the suburethral support under the urethra; introducing one of the at least two soft tissue anchors on one side of the urethra; introducing the other of the at least two soft tissue anchors on the other side of the urethra; and positioning each of the soft tissue anchors in tissue comprising soft tissue without penetrating the rectus sheath. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of treating incontinence in a patient, the method comprising:
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forming a vaginal incision; inserting an anchor into the vaginal incision and directing the anchor to a location behind a pubic bone of the patient; anchoring the anchor into tissue without penetrating an abdominal wall of the patient; and supporting a urethra of the patient by suspending a suburethral support from the anchor. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification