Surgical system for supporting pelvic anatomy

• US 8,047,983 B2
• Filed: 04/04/2011
• Issued: 11/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Coloplast A/S
• Original Assignee: Coloplast A/S
• Inventors: Browning, James
• Primary Examiner(s): LACYK, JOHN P
• Application Number:
  US13/079,682
• Publication Number:
  US 20110178365A1
• Time in Patent Office: 211 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
• 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
• 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 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.

Claims

1. A system for providing support to an anatomical structure of the pelvis, the system comprising:

a surgical implant including;

a first soft tissue anchor having a proximal end and a distal end, the first soft tissue anchor including a base, a plurality of barbs, and a tip, the first soft tissue anchor having an introducer aperture extending through the first soft tissue anchor from the base and out the tip;

a second soft tissue anchor having a second introducer aperture; and

a support having first and second ends, the first soft tissue anchor being connected to the first end of the support and the second soft tissue anchor being connected to the second end of the support; and

an introducer having an elongate shaft and a handle, the elongate shaft having a proximal end at the handle and a distal end, the elongate shaft defining a narrowed portion toward the distal end of the elongate shaft that forms an abutment where the elongate shaft widens from the narrowed portion, the narrowed portion passing through the introducer aperture of the first soft tissue anchor such that the distal end of the elongate shaft protrudes from the distal end of the first soft tissue anchor and the first soft tissue anchor rests on the abutment to limit the first soft tissue anchor from moving further down the elongate shaft of the introducer.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the support is formed of a polymeric tape material.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the tip of the first soft tissue anchor is tapered toward the distal end of the first soft tissue anchor.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the first soft tissue anchor is substantially flat.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second soft tissue anchors are secured directly to the support.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the handle has a first face and a second face opposite the first face, with an edge between the first and second faces, and further wherein the elongate shaft has a curvature in a direction perpendicular to the first and second faces of the handle.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the elongate shaft of the introducer is curved.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the elongate shaft of the introducer is curved through an angle of about 30 degrees.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the elongate shaft forms a tip adapted to penetrate soft tissue.