Distensible sling for urinary incontinence
AssigneesNicolaas Daniel Lombard Burger, Rudolf Werner Ottermann, Adam Jacobus Von Wielligh, Johannes Jacobus Pretorius
InventorJohannes Jacobus Pretorius
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Abstract
The invention provides a sling prosthesis (10) for urinary incontinence and also a method of treating urinary incontinence. The sling (10) has a flexible elongate member (12) and a distensible portion (14) and is configured to be inserted dorsally between the urethra and pelvic bone, with ends of the elongate member attachable to retropubic or ischial structures. A valve (18) which is subcutaneously implantable in a labial or scrotal region may be connected via a conduit (16) to the dispensible portion. Fluid is injected via the valve into the distensible portion (14) to that the distensible portion (14) sufficiently constricts the urethra to inhibit undesirable leakage of urine. Fluid can then either be injected into or extracted from the distensible portion in order to alter distension thereof.
Claims15
A urinary incontinence prosthesis including:
- a flexible elongate member which is configured to extend between left and right retropubic or ischial structures of a patient when the ends of the elongate member are secured to the respective retropubic or ischial structure;
- and
- a distensible portion which is positioned on the elongate member so that in use the distensible portion presses on one side of the urethra so as to apply a pressure sufficient to close the urethra and inhibit unintended passage of urine through the urethra,
- wherein the prosthesis is configured to form an inverted sling when inserted between the urethra and pelvic bone and the ends of the elongate member are attached to the retropubic or ischial sutures.
A method for surgically treating urinary incontinence, the method including the following step:
- securing one end of a flexible elongate member of a prosthesis to a left retropubic or ischial structure of a patient and securing another end of the elongate member to a right retropubic or ischial structure so that a distensible portion of the prosthesis positioned on the elongate member is in contact with one side of the urethra of the patient at least when the distensible portion is distended wherein the prosthesis is positioned above the urethra to form a slink.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.