Expandable surgical implants and methods of using them

An expandable surgical implant comprising a biocompatible material having a first end, a second end positioned opposite to the first end, and a central perpendicular axis located substantially equidistant from the first and second ends, and further comprising at least one expansion loop positioned lateral to the central perpendicular axis, wherein the expansion loop comprises at least one pair of control element attachment sites positioned on one side of the central perpendicular axis and at least one control element comprising bioabsorbable material, the at least one control element being associated with the attachment sites and drawing the attachment sites into close proximity.

An expandable surgical implant comprising a biocompatible material having a first end, a second end positioned opposite to the first end, and a central perpendicular axis located substantially equidistant from the first and second ends, and further comprising at least one expansion loop positioned lateral to the central perpendicular axis, wherein the expansion loop comprises at least one pair of control element attachment sites positioned on one side of the central perpendicular axis and at least one control element adapted to decompose upon application of an external stimuli, the at least one control element being associated with the attachment sites and drawing the attachment sites into close proximity.

An expandable surgical implant comprising a length of biocompatible material having a first end, a second end positioned opposite to the first end, and a central perpendicular axis located substantially equidistant from the first and second ends, and further comprising at least one expansion loop positioned lateral to the central perpendicular axis, wherein the expansion loop comprises multiple layers of biocompatible material of unequal length incorporated into the length of biocompatible material.

An expandable surgical implant comprising a length of biocompatible material having a first end, a second end positioned opposite to the first end, and a central perpendicular axis located substantially equidistant from the first and second ends, and further comprising at least one expansion loop positioned lateral to the central perpendicular axis, wherein the length of the biocompatible material comprises a combination of natural and synthetic material.

A method of treating urinary incontinence comprising:

• implanting an expandable surgical implant into a patient to thereby support the urethra, the expandable surgical implant comprising at least one expansion loop;
• and
• expanding the implant post-operatively to reduce tension applied on the urethra.

A method of treating urinary incontinence comprising:

• implanting an expandable surgical implant into a patient to thereby support the urethra, the expandable surgical implant comprising a central axis and at least one expansion loop;
• and
• expanding the implant by uncinching a control element which holds in close proximity a pair of control element sites located on one side of the central axis to reduce tension applied on the urethra.

A method of treating urinary incontinence comprising:

• implanting an expandable surgical implant into a patient to thereby support the urethra, the expandable surgical implant comprising a length of biocompatible material and at least one expansion loop;
• and
• expanding the implant by severing the shorter of at least two layers of material of unequal length incorporated into the length of biocompatible material to reduce tension applied on the urethra.