Sling and method of forming same

A method of forming a medical sling device comprising:

• providing a strip of material having two end portions and an elongate body between the two end portions;
• tapering at least one of said two end portions without removing said material therefrom by creating a wave-like configuration in said material such that a terminus of said at least one end portion has a smaller width than an intersection between said at least one end portion and said elongate body, wherein tapering at least one of said two end portions without removing said material therefrom further comprises pulling said strip of material through a fixture assembly having a tapered circular end comprising a wave-form opening;
• placing said at least one end portion in a mold;
• forming an anchor around said terminus.

A medical sling comprising:

• an elongate strip of material having two ends and a support portion between said two ends, wherein said two ends and said support portion comprise a uniform cross-sectional material of said elongate strip;
• wherein each of said two ends comprise thermoset portions having a crescent shape;
• and,
• over-molded anchors positioned over said thermoset portions;
• wherein each anchor comprises a cavity having asymmetric surfaces and said cavity expands between a proximal end and a distal end of each anchor.

A method of forming a medical sling device comprising:

• providing a rectangular strip of material having two end portions and an elongate body between the two end portions;
• tapering at least one of said two end portions without removing said material therefrom by bunching said material in such a manner a terminus of said at least one end portion has a smaller width than an intersection between said at least one end portion and said elongate body;
• wherein bunching said material comprises pulling said rectangular strip through a fixture assembly;
• wherein said fixture assembly comprises:
• a fixture bottom having a groove with a wide end and a narrow end, the narrow end having a curved form with gaps on either side of said curved form;
• a fixture top having a groove with a wide end and a narrow end, the narrow end having a center fin and a curved form on either side of the center fin;
• wherein when said fixture top is placed on said fixture bottom and aligned therewith, said center fin points down toward said fixture bottom curved form, thereby creating a wave-like gap through which said rectangular strip may be pulled to create said smaller width in said at least one end portion;
• thermosetting said at least one end such that said at least one end maintains said smaller width when unconstrained;
• placing said at least one end portion in a mold;
• forming an anchor around said terminus.

A method of forming a medical sling device comprising:

• providing a rectangular strip of material having two end portions and an elongate body between the two end portions;
• tapering at least one of said two end portions without removing said material therefrom by bunching said material in such a manner a terminus of said at least one end portion has a smaller width than an intersection between said at least one end portion and said elongate body;
• wherein bunching said material comprises pulling said strip through a fixture assembly;
• wherein said fixture assembly comprises:
• a fixture bottom having a groove with a wide end and a narrow end, the narrow end having a curved form with gaps on either side of said curved form;
• and,
• a fixture top having a groove with a wide end and a narrow end, the narrow end having a center fin and a curved form on either side of the center fin;
• wherein when said fixture top is placed on said fixture bottom and aligned therewith, said center fin points down toward said fixture bottom curved form, thereby creating a wave-like gap through which said strip may be pulled to create said wave-like configuration in said at least one end portion.