Devices and methods for treating e.g. urinary stress incontinence
AssigneeSurgical Connections, Inc.
InventorsClaire T. Hovland, Jerome H. Abrams, Paul J. Robinson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Embodiments of the invention provide a permanent implanted support for e.g. the urethral neck of the bladder, generally preventing urinary leakage caused by transmission of intra-abdominal pressure pulse waves. The support is implanted in a straightforward manner without the significant complexity and invasiveness associated with known surgical techniques. Pelvic trauma is dramatically reduced. Embodiments of the invention can be used in treatment of stress incontinence, and other types of incontinence, in both males and females.
Claims46
An implantable surgical staple, comprising:
- a main body generally in the form of a coil, the main body having a sharp, tissue-penetrating tip at one end thereof and an engagement portion at an opposite end thereof;
- wherein the engagement portion is constructed to engage a staple advancing device for longitudinal and rotational advancement of the staple into an implanted configuration;
- further wherein the staple has a generally circular shape defining a circumferential path when viewed from an end of the staple, the engagement portion being generally disposed along the circumferential path;
- further wherein the staple is composed of a generally stiff biocompatible material to maintain the same shape of the staple in the implanted configuration and during advancement into the implanted configuration.
A surgical treatment device, comprising:
- an implantable surgical staple having a main body generally in the form of a coil, the main body having a sharp, tissue-penetrating tip at one end thereof and an engagement portion at an opposite end thereof, the engagement portion being constructed to engage a staple advancing device for longitudinal and rotational advancement of the staple into an implanted configuration, wherein the staple has a generally circular shape defining a circumferential path when viewed from an end of the staple, the engagement portion being generally disposed along the circumferential path, the staple being composed of a biocompatible material;
- delivery structure for supporting the surgical staple and delivering the surgical staple to a desired anatomical site of a patient;
- movement structure, operatively coupled with the delivery structure, for moving anatomical tissue into position for engagement by the staple;
- and
- a staple advancing device for rotationally and longitudinally advancing the staple through the anatomical tissue to hold the anatomical tissue in a desired configuration.
A surgical treatment device, comprising:
- delivery structure for supporting a coil-shaped surgical staple and delivering the coil-shaped surgical staple to a desired anatomical site of a patient;
- movement structure, operatively coupled with the delivery structure, for moving anatomical tissue into position with respect to the coil-shaped surgical staple;
- and
- a staple advancing device for rotating the coil-shaped surgical staple into the anatomical tissue to hold the anatomical tissue in a desired configuration.
A method of treating urinary incontinence in a patient, the method comprising:
- inserting a surgical treatment device into at least the urethra of the patient;
- applying a vacuum with the surgical treatment device to draw at least a urethra portion and/or bladder neck portion of the patient into a desired configuration;
- delivering a coil-shaped surgical staple to the patient with the device, the staple holding the desired configuration;
- and
- withdrawing the device from the patient.
Urinary incontinence treatment apparatus, comprising:
- means for applying a vacuum to draw at least a urethra portion and/or bladder neck portion of a patient into a desired configuration;
- means for delivering a coil-shaped surgical staple to the patient, the staple holding the desired configuration;
- and
- means for withdrawing the means for delivering from the patient such that the coil-shaped surgical staple remains within the patient.
Apparatus for implanting a staple into a patient, the staple generally defining a spiral shape, the apparatus comprising:
- a first generally cylindrical member, the staple being disposed generally concentrically over the first cylindrical member;
- a second generally cylindrical member disposed generally concentrically over the first cylindrical member, rotation of the second cylindrical member by an operator of the apparatus causing rotation of the staple into anatomical tissue of the patient.
Apparatus for implanting a staple into a patient, the apparatus comprising:
- structure for delivering the staple to a desired anatomical site and implanting the staple at the site;
- and
- structure, operably coupled with the structure for delivering and implanting, for supporting an optical viewing device within a body of the staple during implantation to allow an operator of the apparatus to view the implantation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.