APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THE TREATMENT OF STRESS URINARY INCONTINENCE

• US 20090137861A1
• Filed: 07/30/2008
• Published: 05/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Scherr, Douglas, Goldberg, Roger P.
• Granted Patent: US 9,402,705 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0493 Protective devices for suturing, i.e. for protecting the patient's organs or the operator
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/06004 Means for attaching suture to needle tipping A61B17/06195; connecting wire to other metallic objects B21F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/06066 Needles, e.g. needle tip configurations making needles B21G1/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/06109 Big needles, either gripped by hand or connectable to a handle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00438 connectable to a finger
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00805 Treatment of female stress urinary incontinence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06076 helically or spirally coiled for sutures A61B2017/06171
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0045 Support slings
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0007 for adjusting length
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 19/00 Local anaesthesia syringes therefor A61M5/00; Hypothermia A61M5/42 takes precedence; cooling blood in a bypass of the arterial system A61M1/36

Abstract

An apparatus and method for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence. The apparatus includes a suburethral sling having an adjustment member for adjusting the tension of the sling both during the procedure and post-procedure. The method includes using a needle to simultaneously implant the sling and to deliver a local anesthetic in the groin area while implanting the sling.

Claims

1. An apparatus for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence, comprising:

a sling body having an intermediate portion and two end portions, and

a suture, wherein the suture extends through the sling body and wherein the suture provides an adjustment loop proximate the intermediate portion for postoperative adjustment.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the suture has free ends, each extending from an end portion.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the free ends are at least 5 cm long.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the suture is secured to the body with a plurality of knots.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the suture is bioabsorbable.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sling body is constructed of a surgical mesh material.

7. A needle delivery device for implanting a medical device, comprising:

a needle body, wherein the needle body includes an aperture configured to receive a suture end of the medical device; and

a lumen extending through the length of the needle body, wherein the lumen is adapted to deliver a fluid therethrough.

8. The needle delivery device of claim 7, further comprising a handle, wherein the handle includes a supply of local anesthetic in fluid communication with the lumen.

9. The needle delivery device of claim 8, wherein the handle includes a trigger for releasing an amount of the local anesthetic.

10. The needle delivery device of claim 8, wherein the aperture is located proximate the handle.

11. The needle delivery device of claim 7, wherein the needle body further includes a tip and wherein the aperture extends through at least a portion of the tip.

12. A method for implanting a sling to treat urinary incontinence in a human or animal subject, comprising:

making an incision in the perineal or vaginal area;

inserting first and second needles, each carrying a portion of the sling, into the human or animal subject;

guiding the needles carrying the sling to an appropriate site in the groin or suprapubic area while simultaneously injecting local anesthesia through the needles;

removing the needles;

positioning the sling; and

leaving at least a portion of the sling accessible for post-operative adjustment of the sling.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the sling includes a suture having two free ends and wherein the step of leaving at least a portion of the sling accessible for post-operative adjustment of the sling further includes leaving the two free ends of the suture external to the subject'"'"'s body.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the sling includes a suture having an adjustment loop and wherein the step of leaving at least a portion of the sling accessible for post-operative adjustment of the sling further includes leaving the adjustment loop accessible.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising adjusting the sling'"'"'s tension post-operatively by manipulating the accessible portion of the sling.

16. A kit for the treatment of urinary incontinence, comprising:

a suburethral sling;

a pair of needle delivery needles, wherein each needle delivery needle is configured to deliver local anesthesia and to implant sling around the urethra; and

a finger guard, wherein all of the above items are packaged together in the kit.