Surgical template and surgical method employing same
AssigneeMedworks Corporation
InventorRonald J. Thompson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A template for guiding the placement of a fixation device during a surgical procedure. The template comprises: (a) a body portion; and (b) at least one guide disposed in a predetermined spacial relationship to the body portion; wherein the template is configured such that at least a portion of the template may be aligned within the vagina of a patient such that the guide may be employed to direct the placement of a fixation device or other medical instrument through at least a portion of the tissue adjacent the vagina. A surgical method employing this template is also provided, along with an urethral sling used in conjunction with one embodiment of the template.
Claims81
A template for guiding the placement of a fixation device during a surgical procedure, said template comprising:
- (a) a body portion;
- and
- (b) at least one guide disposed in a predetermined spacial relationship to said body portion;
- said template adapted to be aligned at least partially within the vagina of a patient such that said guide may be employed to direct the placement of a fixation device or other medical instrument through at least a portion of the tissue adjacent the vagina.
A template for guiding the placement of a fixation device during a surgical procedure to correct incontinence, said template comprising:
- (a) a body portion;
- (b) at least one guide disposed in a predetermined spacial relationship to said body;
- said template adapted to be aligned at least partially within the vagina of a patient such that said guide may be employed to direct the placement of a fixation device through the periurethral tissue at a predetermined location.
A surgical method of connecting at least a portion of the tissue adjacent a patient's vagina relative to a structure within the patient's body, comprising:
- (a) providing a vaginal template, said template having at least one guide for ensuring proper positioning of a fixation device;
- (b) aligning at least a portion of said template within the vagina of a patient;
- and
- (c) connecting a portion of the tissue adjacent a patient's vagina relative to a structure within the patient's body with a fixation device by:
- connecting one portion of said fixation device relative to said structure within the patient's body;
- and
- passing another portion of said fixation device through at least a portion of the tissue adjacent the patient's vagina, using said guide to direct placement of the fixation device through the tissue.
A method for directing placement of a fixation device through at least a portion of a patient's periurethral tissue during a surgical procedure to correct incontinence, comprising:
- (a) providing a vaginal template, said template having at least one guide for ensuring proper positioning of said fixation device;
- (b) aligning at least a portion of said template within the vagina of a patient;
- and
- (c) passing a portion of said fixation device through at least a portion of the patient's periurethral tissue, using said guide to direct placement of the fixation device therethrough.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.