Surgical instrument and method
AssigneeAmerican Medical Systems, Inc.
InventorsKimberly A. Anderson, Johann J. Neisz, Gary A. Rocheleau, John W. Westrum JR., David R. Staskin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method of use are disclosed to treat urological disorders. The invention is a repositionable handle for an arcuate needle configured to be minimally invasive. The invention is for use with a sling assembly that allows a sling to be controllably implanted in a therapeutically effective position. The device and treatment procedure are highly effective and produce little to no side effects or complications. Further, operative risks, pain, infections and post operative stays are reduced.
Claims17
A surgical needle and handle combination for implanting a sling, the needle and handle comprising:
- an elongate arcuate needle that is sized and shaped to withstand forces encountered during a sling implantation procedure;
- the needle having first and second ends;
- means for associating the needle with a sling, and at least one of the ends having a handle engagement surface,
- a handle having means for receiving at least one end of the needle, the handle including a needle end engagement surface, and
- handle repositioning means for moving at least one of the needle end engagement surface and the handle engagement surface between a) an engaged position with the needle end engagement surface contacting the handle engagement surface to resist relative movement between the needle and handle, and b) a release position, spaced from the engaged position, which affords relative movement between the handle and the needle.
A surgical needle for implanting a sling, the combination comprising:
- an elongate arcuate needle that is sized and shaped to withstand forces encountered during a sling implantation procedure;
- the needle having first and second ends;
- means for associating the needle with a sling,
- a first handle associated with an end of the needle;
- and
- a second handle, separate from the first handle and situated along the needle.
A method of implanting a sling comprising the steps of:
- providing an elongate arcuate needle that is sized and shaped to withstand forces encountered during a sling implantation procedure;
- the needle having first and second ends;
- and means for associating the needle with a sling, a first handle attached to an end of the needle;
- and a second handle, separate from the first handle and situated along the needle,
- inserting the end of the needle that is opposite the first handle into tissue of the patient;
- passing the needle through tissue of the patient by grasping the first or the second handle, the needle or any combination thereof, to control the passage of the needle into tissue.
A method of implanting a sling comprising the steps of:
- providing an elongate arcuate needle that is sized and shaped to withstand forces encountered during a sling implantation procedure;
- the needle having first and second ends;
- and means for associating the needle with a sling, a first handle attached to an end of the needle;
- and a second handle, separate from the first handle and situated along the needle, the second handle including releasable means for securing the second handle to the needle,
- placing the second handle in a first position spaced from the first handle to afford a controlled insertion of needle into tissue and to resist lurching movements of the needle within the tissue by affording engagement with abdominal tissue of the patient,
- inserting the end of the needle that is opposite the first handle into tissue of the patient;
- passing the needle through tissue of the patient an initial amount,
- then moving the second handle to a second position that is located closer to the first handle than the first position, and
- then further passing the needle through tissue of the patient.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.