# US 8,147,478 B2 · Coated sling material

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

- Number: US 8,147,478 B2
- Document ID: US8147478B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 10/641,541
- Filed: 2003-08-15
- Published: 2004-03-18
- Granted: 2012-04-03
- Earliest claimed: 2000-09-07
- Assignees: AMS Research Corporation
- Inventors: Eva S. Snitkin; John W. Westrum, Jr.; James E. Cabak
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8147478B2

## CPC

- A61F 2/0045: {Support slings}
- A61B 17/00234: {for minimally invasive surgery (A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence)}
- A61B 17/0401: {Suture anchors, buttons or pledgets, i.e. means for attaching sutures to bone, cartilage or soft tissue; Instruments for applying or removing suture anchors (A61B17/0642 takes precedence; fixation devices for tendons or ligaments A61F2/0811)}
- A61F 2/0063: {Implantable repair or support meshes, e.g. hernia meshes}
- A61L 31/10: Macromolecular materials
- D04B 21/12: characterised by thread material
- A61B 17/04: for suturing wounds; Holders or packages for needles or suture materials
- A61B 2017/00805: {Treatment of female stress urinary incontinence}
- A61F 2250/0059: temporary
- D10B 2509/08: Hernia repair mesh
- 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)
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K)
- D04B: KNITTING
- D10B: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES

## Abstract

The present invention relates to a sling, methods of making and using a sling, and kits comprising a sling for treating urinary incontinence. The sling has multiple elongation properties that serve to improve the support of the urethra. The sling may comprise a coated material adapted for urethral suspension. The coated sling has properties that appear to enhance the sling elongation characteristics. The coated sling further includes properties that reduce its susceptibility to bacterial infections. The sling further includes properties to enhance the proper tensioning of the sling.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of treating urinary incontinence with a sling device, comprising:
providing a multi-zone elongate mesh sling having first and second end portions and a central portion, wherein at least a coated portion of the sling includes a coating material impregnated with a medicament, the coating material applied such that the longitudinal elongation properties of the coated portion of the sling is reduced;
inserting the elongate mesh sling into a patient;
positioning the central portion of the elongate mesh sling under the patient's urethra; and
adjusting the elongate mesh sling such that the central portion supports the urethra.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the medicament is a drug.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the medicament is an antibiotic agent.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein medicament is an anti-microbial agent.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the coating material includes a silicone material.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein providing the elongate mesh sling includes providing the mesh elongate sling including a plurality of pores defined by a plurality of extending filaments.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6, wherein the extending filaments are interwoven.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein providing the elongate mesh sling includes providing the elongate mesh sling having at least a portion formed by a molding process.

### Claim 9

A method of treating incontinence with a sling device, comprising:
providing an elongate mesh sling having first and second elongate end portions and a support portion, with the first elongate end portion defining a first zone, the second elongate end portion defining a second zone and the support portion defining a third zone, wherein at least one of the first, second and third zones includes a coating material including a medicament, the coating material applied such that the longitudinal elongation properties of the coated portion of the sling is reduced;
inserting the elongate mesh sling into a patient;
positioning the support portion of the elongate mesh sling under the patient's urethra; and
adjusting the elongate mesh sling such that the support portion improves support of the urethra.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the medicament includes a drug.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the medicament includes an antibiotic agent.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein medicament includes an anti-microbial agent.

### Claim 13 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the coating material includes a silicone material.

### Claim 14 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the support portion of the elongate mesh sling is defined by a series of pores and filament members.

### Claim 15 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the support portion of the elongate mesh sling is formed by a molding process.