Methods and devices for the treatment of urinary incontinence
AssigneeBoston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
InventorRobert F. Rioux
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and devices for treating female stress urinary incontinence are disclosed. The methods include transvaginally accessing the pelvic cavity and introducing a suburethral sling into the retropubic space. In some embodiments the ends of the sling are attached to an anatomical support structure. In other embodiments, the ends of the suburethral sling are not attached to an anatomical support structure. The devices include a surgical instrument for blunt dissection of the pelvic cavity which includes a curved shaft and a blunt distal end. A hook deployment device may optionally be attached to the surgical instrument.
Claims7
1-9. (canceled)
A surgical instrument for treating urinary incontinence, the instrument comprising:
- a handle;
- a shaft extending in a distal direction from the handle;
- a tip disposed at a distal end of the shaft;
- and
- a L-shaped slot.
The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein said L-shaped slot comprises a longitudinal portion extending longitudinally along the distal end of the shaft.
The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein said L-shaped slot comprises a horizontal portion extending radially inward.
The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein said tip comprises a solid apex.
The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein said shaft comprises a curved portion.
The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein said L-shaped slot comprises an angle of about 90 degrees.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.