Adjustable tension incontinence sling assemblies
First Claim
1. A system for providing support to body tissue to alleviate incontinence in a patient, the system comprising:
- an elongated incontinence sling having a central support portion adapted to be positioned to support urethra or anus, a first sling end portion extending from a first end of the central support portion to a first sling end, and a second sling end portion extending from a second end of the central support portion to a second sling end;
a first tension adjustment suture coupled to the first sling end portion between the central support portion and the first sling end, the first tension adjustment suture extending along the first sling end portion and away from the first sling end portion to a first suture free end; and
first tensioning means comprising an opening coupled to the first suture free end, the first tensioning means adapted to be implanted subcutaneously to bear against a tissue layer at a right-side pelvic location on a right side of the patient while the opening maintains the first suture free end in alignment with a location at which the first suture free end passes through the right-side tissue layer, the first tensioning means adapted to allow or cause the first tension adjustment suture to be drawn toward the right-side tissue layer and right-side pelvic location to apply tension through the first tension adjustment suture to the central support portion and reduce a distance between the first tensioning means and the central support portion;
a second tension adjustment suture coupled to the second sling end portion between the central support portion and the second sling end, the second adjustment suture extending along the second sling end portion and away from the second sling end portion to a second suture free end; and
second tensioning means comprising a second opening coupled to the second suture free end, the second tensioning means adapted to be implanted subcutaneously to bear against a tissue layer at a left-side pelvic location on a left side of the patient and spaced from the right-side pelvic location while the second opening maintains the second suture free end in alignment with a location at which the second suture free end passes through the left-side tissue layer, the second tensioning means adapted to allow or cause the second tension adjustment suture to be drawn toward the left-side tissue layer and left-side pelvic location to apply tension through the second tension adjustment suture to the central support portion and reduce a distance between the second tensioning means and the central support portion in a manner independent of the distance between the first tensioning means and the central support portion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems for providing support to body tissue to alleviate incontinence are disclosed that comprise an elongated incontinence sling having a central support portion adapted to be positioned to support any one of the urethra or anus and first and second sling end portions extending from the central support portion through body tissue and a tension adjustment mechanism acting on or within one or both of the sling end portions. The sling tension adjustment mechanism comprises one or more of a sling tensioning suture or band, a tensioning device coupled to a suture or band free end, a tissue anchor coupled to one or more of a suture free end and a sling end, a mesh fold, a suture tube, and a sling sheath in various combinations.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A system for providing support to body tissue to alleviate incontinence in a patient, the system comprising:
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an elongated incontinence sling having a central support portion adapted to be positioned to support urethra or anus, a first sling end portion extending from a first end of the central support portion to a first sling end, and a second sling end portion extending from a second end of the central support portion to a second sling end; a first tension adjustment suture coupled to the first sling end portion between the central support portion and the first sling end, the first tension adjustment suture extending along the first sling end portion and away from the first sling end portion to a first suture free end; and first tensioning means comprising an opening coupled to the first suture free end, the first tensioning means adapted to be implanted subcutaneously to bear against a tissue layer at a right-side pelvic location on a right side of the patient while the opening maintains the first suture free end in alignment with a location at which the first suture free end passes through the right-side tissue layer, the first tensioning means adapted to allow or cause the first tension adjustment suture to be drawn toward the right-side tissue layer and right-side pelvic location to apply tension through the first tension adjustment suture to the central support portion and reduce a distance between the first tensioning means and the central support portion; a second tension adjustment suture coupled to the second sling end portion between the central support portion and the second sling end, the second adjustment suture extending along the second sling end portion and away from the second sling end portion to a second suture free end; and second tensioning means comprising a second opening coupled to the second suture free end, the second tensioning means adapted to be implanted subcutaneously to bear against a tissue layer at a left-side pelvic location on a left side of the patient and spaced from the right-side pelvic location while the second opening maintains the second suture free end in alignment with a location at which the second suture free end passes through the left-side tissue layer, the second tensioning means adapted to allow or cause the second tension adjustment suture to be drawn toward the left-side tissue layer and left-side pelvic location to apply tension through the second tension adjustment suture to the central support portion and reduce a distance between the second tensioning means and the central support portion in a manner independent of the distance between the first tensioning means and the central support portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification