# US 2016/0256151 A1 · Implants, tools, and methods for treatments of pelvic conditions

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 2016/0256151 A1
- Document ID: US20160256151A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/155,516
- Filed: 2016-05-16
- Published: 2016-09-08
- Earliest claimed: 2011-06-30
- Assignees: Astora Women's Health, LLC
- Applicants: Astora Women's Health, LLC
- Inventors: James A. ALEXANDER; Chaouki A. Khamis; Justin H. Huelman; William S. Tremulis; Thomas O. Viker
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160256151A1

## CPC

- A61B 17/0469: {Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery}
- A61B 17/0482: {Needle or suture guides (guides for drills, pins or wire A61B17/17; guides for puncturing needles A61B17/3403)}
- A61B 17/0483: {Hand-held instruments for holding sutures (A61B17/0469 takes precedence; other holders for needles or sutures A61B17/06061; surgical forceps A61B17/28; surgical pincettes A61B17/30)}
- A61B 17/0625: {the needle being specially adapted to interact with the manipulator, e.g. being ridged to snap fit in a hole of the manipulator (A61B17/06109 takes precedence)}
- A61F 2/0045: {Support slings}
- A61B 2017/00539: {hydraulically}
- A61B 2017/00544: {pneumatically}
- A61B 2017/00805: {Treatment of female stress urinary incontinence}
- A61B 2017/06042: {located close to needle tip}
- A61F 2002/0072: {Delivery tools therefor}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)

## Abstract

Described are various embodiments of surgical procedures, systems, implants, devices, tools, and methods, useful for treating pelvic conditions in a male or female, the pelvic conditions including incontinence (various forms such as fecal incontinence, stress urinary incontinence, urge incontinence, mixed incontinence, etc.), vaginal prolapse (including various forms such as enterocele, cystocele, rectocele, apical or vault prolapse, uterine descent, etc.), and other conditions caused by muscle and ligament weakness, the devices and tools including devices and tools for anchoring an implant to tissue.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A suture passer comprising at least one tube through which a pressurized fluid travels from a first end to a second end to deliver a suture under pressure to a suturing site in a patient.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The suture passer of claim 1, wherein the at least one tube comprises a hypotube.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The suture passer of claim 2, further comprising a syringe, wherein the hypotube extends from a distal end of the syringe.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The suture passer of claim 1, further comprising a first arm and a second arm rotatably attached to the first arm at a hinge, wherein at least one of the first and second arms comprises an extending member at its distal end.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The suture passer of claim 4, wherein the at least one tube extends along at least a portion of one of the first and second arms.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The suture passer of claim 4, wherein at least one of the first and second arms comprises an aperture at its distal end that is sized to accept a suture.

### Claim 7 (depends on 4)

The suture passer of claim 4, wherein the first arm comprises a first extending member and the second arm comprises a second extending member that is engageable with the first extending member.

### Claim 8 (depends on 4)

The suture passer of claim 4, wherein the first arm comprises an extending member and the second arm comprises an aperture that is engagable with the extending member

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The suture passer of claim 1, in combination with a fluid source for pressurizing the fluid.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The combination of claim 9, wherein the fluid source comprises one of pressurized air and pressurized water.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The suture passer of claim 1, in combination with a length of suture material.