Surgical implant and methods of use

• US 8,157,822 B2
• Filed: 09/13/2011
• Issued: 04/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Coloplast A/S
• Original Assignee: Coloplast A/S
• Inventors: Browning, James
• Primary Examiner(s): WOO, JULIAN W
• Application Number:
  US13/231,746
• Publication Number:
  US 20110319706A1
• Time in Patent Office: 217 Days
• Field of Search: 606/151, 623 2372- 2374, 600/29, 600/30, 600/37, 424422-424, 128/898
• US Class Current: 606/151
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0036 implantable A61F2/0018 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0063 Implantable repair or support meshes, e.g. hernia meshes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0068 having a special mesh pattern
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0072 Delivery tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0081 directly machined on the prosthetic surface, e.g. holes, grooves A61F2/30771 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0086 for preferentially controlling or promoting the growth of specific types of cells or tissues of bone tissue onto implantable joints A61F2002/3093
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0071 breakable or frangible

Abstract

A method of treating a vaginal prolapse is provided. The method includes accessing a vaginal prolapse, inserting an implant comprising a knitted mesh into a patient, and securing the knitted mesh in place such that the implant supports the pelvic floor of the patient. The knitted mesh has a mass density of less than 20 g/m².

Claims

1. A method of treating a vaginal prolapse in a patient, the method comprising:

accessing the vaginal prolapse, wherein the vaginal prolapse is selected from the group consisting of urethrocoele prolapse, cystocoele prolapse, vault prolapse, uterine prolapse, enterocoele prolapse, and rectocoele prolapse;

inserting an implant into the patient, the implant comprising a knitted mesh having a mass density of less than 20 g/m²; and

securing the knitted mesh in place such that the implant supports the pelvic floor of the patient.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein securing the knitted mesh in place comprises securing the knitted mesh in place such that the implant supports a vaginal wall of the patient.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of accessing the vaginal prolapse comprises:

making an incision; and

making a subcutaneous cut through the incision.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein making an incision comprises making an incision in a vaginal wall.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein securing the knitted mesh in place comprises securing the knitted mesh in place with sutures.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the knitted mesh includes major spaces formed in the knitted mesh and configured to allow blood to pass through the implant.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the major spaces are between about 1 mm and 10 mm wide.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the knitted mesh includes pore spaces formed in the knitted mesh and configured to allow fibroblast growth through the implant.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of accessing the vaginal prolapse comprises accessing the vaginal prolapse through a minimally invasive surgical procedure.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the steps of inserting the implant and securing the knitted mesh comprises employing a laparoscopic surgical procedure.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the knitted mesh includes biocompatible polypropylene monofilaments.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the monofilaments have diameters between about 0.02 mm to 0.15 mm.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the monofilaments have diameters between about 0.08 mm to 0.1 mm.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the knitted mesh includes strands that are spaced apart to form major spaces of about 1 mm to about 10 mm.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein pores are formed within the strands, and wherein the pores are between about 50 μ

m to 200 μ

m in diameter.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the mesh is a warp knit mesh.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the implant is about 1-10 cm wide.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the vaginal prolapse is a vault prolapse.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the vaginal prolapse is an enterocoele prolapse.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the implant further comprises first end having a first width and a second end having a second width, wherein the first width is greater than the second width.