Self-anchoring sling and introducer system
First Claim
1. A system to implant a support member, comprising:
- an introducer needle having a first end and a second end, each of the first end and second end including a flattened portion with an opening therethrough;
a handle having a latch mechanism engaging the opening in the flattened portion of the first end of the introducer needle;
a support member having an end; and
a connector joining the end of the support member to the flattened portion of the second end of the introducer needle, the connector comprising;
a central portion;
a first pair of arms, including a first lower arm pivotally mounted to the central portion and having a first projection, and a first upper arm pivotally mounted to the central portion and having a first opening positioned to receive the first projection when the first lower arm and first upper arm are brought together into a locking relationship; and
a second pair of arms, each of the second pair of arms pivotally mounted to the central portion.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for supporting the urethra using an introducer needle, the ends of which are flattened and which have openings therethrough, a handle having a latch mechanism which engages the opening in the flattened portion of the first end of the introducer needle, an implant, and a connector joining the end of the implant to the flattened portion of one of the ends of the introducer needle. These components are used to draw the implant into position, either through vaginal or abdominal incisions, to form a U-shaped loop beneath the urethra. The ends of the implant are adjusted to provide proper support for the urethra. The implant can have slits that open under applied tensile force.
469 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A system to implant a support member, comprising:
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an introducer needle having a first end and a second end, each of the first end and second end including a flattened portion with an opening therethrough; a handle having a latch mechanism engaging the opening in the flattened portion of the first end of the introducer needle; a support member having an end; and a connector joining the end of the support member to the flattened portion of the second end of the introducer needle, the connector comprising; a central portion; a first pair of arms, including a first lower arm pivotally mounted to the central portion and having a first projection, and a first upper arm pivotally mounted to the central portion and having a first opening positioned to receive the first projection when the first lower arm and first upper arm are brought together into a locking relationship; and a second pair of arms, each of the second pair of arms pivotally mounted to the central portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A system to implant a support member, comprising:
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an introducer needle having a first end and a second end, each of the first end and second end including a flattened portion with an opening therethrough; a handle having a latch mechanism engaging the opening in the flattened portion of the first end of the introducer needle; a support member having an end; and a connector joining the end of the support member to the flattened portion of the second end of the introducer needle, the connector comprising; a central portion; a first pair of arms, including a first lower arm rigidly mounted to the central portion and having a first opening, and a first upper arm pivotally mounted to the central portion and having a first projection to be received in the first opening when the first upper arm is pivoted into locking relationship with the first lower arm; and a second pair of arms, including a second lower arm rigidly mounted to the central portion and having a second opening, and a second upper arm pivotally mounted to the central portion and having a second projection to be received in the second opening when the second upper arm is pivoted into locking relationship with the second lower arm.
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Specification