# US 8,784,295 B2 · Sling assembly with secure and convenient attachment > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,784,295 B2 - Document ID: US8784295B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/115,311 - Filed: 2011-05-25 - Published: 2011-09-22 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2001-01-23 - Assignees: AMS Research Corporation - Applicants: Gary A. Rocheleau; Gary J. Nachreiner; Johann J. Neisz - Inventors: Gary A. Rocheleau; Gary J. Nachreiner; Johann J. Neisz - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8784295B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/06004: {Means for attaching suture to needle (tipping A61B17/06195)} - 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)} - A61B 17/0487: {Suture clamps, clips or locks, e.g. for replacing suture knots; Instruments for applying or removing suture clamps, clips or locks (suture anchors A61B17/0401; wound clamps or clips A61B17/08; ligaturing clamps or clips A61B17/122)} - A61B 17/06109: {Big needles, either gripped by hand or connectable to a handle} - A61F 2/0045: {Support slings} - A61B 17/0469: {Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery} - A61B 17/0482: {Needle or suture guides (guides for drills, pins or wire A61B17/17; guides for puncturing needles A61B17/3403)} - A61B 17/06066: {Needles, e.g. needle tip configurations} - A61B 17/30: Surgical pincettes, i.e. surgical tweezers {without pivotal connections (for holding suture needles or materials A61B17/0483)} - A61B 17/3211: Surgical scalpels, knives; Accessories therefor - A61B 17/42: Gynaecological or obstetrical instruments or methods {(ligaturing clamps or clips for the umbilical cord A61B17/122; curettage A61B17/320708)} - A61B 50/30: Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments (for wound clamps A61B17/10; for ligaturing clips A61B17/122; packages or dispensers for surgical gloves or finger-stalls A61B42/40) - A61B 90/02: {Devices for expanding tissue, e.g. skin tissue (implements for holding wounds open, surgical tractors A61B17/02; implantable mammary prosthesis A61F2/12; dilators A61M29/00)} - A61B 2017/0046: {with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable} - A61B 2017/00464: {for use with different instruments} - A61B 2017/00805: {Treatment of female stress urinary incontinence} - A61B 2017/0458: {Longitudinal through hole, e.g. suture blocked by a distal suture knot} - A61B 2017/06009: {having additional means for releasably clamping the suture to the needle, e.g. actuating rod slideable within the needle} - A61B 2017/06014: {spring-loaded} - A61B 2017/06042: {located close to needle tip} - A61B 2017/06085: {having a blunt tip} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - 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) ## Abstract Surgical articles that are conveniently and securely coupled are disclosed. Improved surgical procedures are also disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for treating incontinence, comprising: an elongate needle having a distal tip portion including a recessed keying feature, the elongate needle sized and shaped for insertion through a vaginal incision such that at least the distal tip portion is emergable from at least one other incision; a sling for implantation in the body during a procedure to treat incontinence; and a coupler having a longitudinal axis, the coupler having an exterior wall and at least one generally circular relief port extending into the exterior wall of the coupler generally transverse to the longitudinal axis, with an interior shoulder extending from the exterior wall to define a narrowed gap within the coupler, the interior shoulder adapted to snappingly connect the coupler to the recessed keying feature of the needle by moving the coupler and the recessed keying feature of the needle together along the longitudinal axis of the coupler. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the coupler is provided with the sling. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the coupler is integrally provided with the sling. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the system has an Insertion Force of no more than about eight pounds. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the system has an Insertion Force of no more than about fifteen pounds. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the sling includes an insertion sheath and a portion of the coupler is attached to the sheath. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the distal tip portion of the needle is substantially blunt. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the sling is constructed of a mesh material. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein a tip portion of the coupler is substantially blunt. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein a tip portion of the coupler is generally tapered. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein a portion of the needle is curved. ### Claim 12 A system for treating incontinence, comprising: an elongate curved needle having a distal tip portion having a recessed keying feature, the elongate needle sized and shaped for initial insertion through a vaginal incision such that at least the distal tip portion is emergable from at least one other incision; a mesh sling for implantation in the body during a procedure to treat incontinence; and a coupler having an interior lumen, a cylindrical exterior wall portion, a generally circular relief port extending generally transversely into the coupler, and an interior shoulder portion extending from the exterior wall portion to define a narrowed gap within the interior lumen of the coupler, the shoulder portion adapted to provide a snap connection between the coupler and the recessed keying feature of the needle when the coupler and the recessed keying feature are longitudinally moved together. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein the coupler is integrally provided with the sling. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein the sling includes an insertion sheath and a portion of the coupler is attached to the sheath. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein a tip portion of the coupler is generally tapered.