Minimally invasive implant and method

• US 9,017,243 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2011
• Issued: 04/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Ams Research Corporation (Endo International PLC)
• Inventors: Roll, Jessica L., Otte, John Fritz, Dahdah, Mona N., Fischer, Brian G.
• Primary Examiner(s): LACYK, JOHN P
• Application Number:
  US13/335,472
• Publication Number:
  US 20120203060A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,223 Days
• Field of Search: 600 29- 32, 600/37, 128/DIG.25
• 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 2017/0464 for soft tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0045 Support slings
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0016 with sharp anchoring protrusions, e.g. barbs, pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0097 Visible markings, e.g. indicia

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are provided for treating urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and other pelvic defects or dysfunctions, in both males and females, using one or more lateral implants to reinforce the supportive tissue of the urethra. The implants can be configured as a sling device having at least one extension arm and a tissue support portion having an eyelet, wherein a portion of the at least one extension arm is adapted to slide through and adjustably attach with the eyelet.

Claims

1. An elongate implantable incontinence sling system, comprising:

a tissue support portion having a first eyelet and a second eyelet;

a first extension arm having an anchor portion, a mesh portion, and a polymer rod element, with at least a length of the first extension arm adapted to slide through the first eyelet of the tissue support portion; and

a second extension arm having an anchor portion, a mesh portion, and a polymer rod element, with at least a length of the first extension arm adapted to slide through the second eyelet of the tissue support portion, such that the tissue support portion spans under and provides support to the urethra.

2. The sling system of claim 1, wherein a portion of the tissue support portion is constructed of a mesh material.

3. The sling system of claim 1, further including a grommet adapted to engage at least one of the first and second eyelets to facilitate attachment of the first extension arm or the second extension arm.

4. The sling system of claim 1, further including one or more alignment indicia provided along a portion of the tissue support portion.

5. The sling system of claim 4, wherein the one or more indicia includes three indicia adapted to guide placement of the elongate sling relative to tissue targeted for support.

6. The sling system of claim 1, wherein the anchor portion of at least one of the first and second extension arms is adapted to engage with obturator tissue.

7. The sling system of claim 1, wherein the anchor portion of at least one of the first and second extension arms is adapted to engage with rectus fascia.