Self-anchoring sling and introducer system
First Claim
1. A system for treating urinary incontinence, the system comprising:
- an introducer including a handle and a shaft, the shaft having a tip portion having an opening; and
a surgical implant for treating urinary incontinence, the surgical implant including,a support portion configured to be implanted to support a urethra of a patient, the support portion having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, anda first connector coupled to the first end of the support portion and having an anchoring portion, the first connector configured to form a snap-fit connection between the tip portion of the introducer and the surgical implant, the snap-fit connection being configured to facilitate passage of the surgical implant into the patient using the introducer, the opening in the tip being configured to receive at least one projection of the first connector to form the snap-fit connection with another portion of the first connector.
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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.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A system for treating urinary incontinence, the system comprising:
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an introducer including a handle and a shaft, the shaft having a tip portion having an opening; and a surgical implant for treating urinary incontinence, the surgical implant including, a support portion configured to be implanted to support a urethra of a patient, the support portion having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and a first connector coupled to the first end of the support portion and having an anchoring portion, the first connector configured to form a snap-fit connection between the tip portion of the introducer and the surgical implant, the snap-fit connection being configured to facilitate passage of the surgical implant into the patient using the introducer, the opening in the tip being configured to receive at least one projection of the first connector to form the snap-fit connection with another portion of the first connector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A system for treating urinary incontinence, the system comprising:
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an introducer including, a handle, and a shaft, the shaft including a flat spatulated portion having a rectangular opening, and a surgical implant configured to be implanted to support a urethra of a patient to treat urinary incontinence, the surgical implant including, a support portion configured to be implanted to support a urethra of a patient, the support portion having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and a first endpiece coupled to the first end of the support portion, the first endpiece having an anchor feature configured for anchoring in soft tissue and a connection feature, the rectangular opening being configured to receive a portion of the first endpiece to releasably secure the first endpiece to the shaft of the introducer and form a connection with another portion of the first endpiece. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for treating urinary incontinence, the system comprising:
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an introducer including a handle and a shaft, the shaft having a tip portion having an opening; and a surgical implant for treating urinary incontinence, the surgical implant including, a support portion configured to be implanted to support a urethra of a patient, the support portion having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and a first connector coupled to the first end of the support portion and having an anchoring portion, the first connector including a cylindrical projection having a tapered portion configured to form first a snap-fit connection between the tip portion of the introducer and the surgical implant and a second snap-fit connection between other portions of the first connector, the first snap-fit connection being configured to facilitate passage of the surgical implant into the patient using the introducer, the opening in the tip portion being configured to receive at least a portion of cylindrical projection of the first connector.
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Specification