# US 9,433,485 B2 · Implant tension adjustment system and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,433,485 B2 - Document ID: US9433485B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/846,927 - Filed: 2015-09-07 - Published: 2015-12-31 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2011-08-23 - Assignees: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. - Applicants: AMS Research, LLC - Inventors: James A. Alexander - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9433485B2 ## CPC - A61F 2/004: {inflatable} - A61F 2/0045: {Support slings} - A61F 2/0063: {Implantable repair or support meshes, e.g. hernia meshes} - A61F 2002/0068: {having a special mesh pattern} - A61F 2220/0016: with sharp anchoring protrusions, e.g. barbs, pins, spikes - A61F 2250/0003: having an inflatable pocket filled with fluid, e.g. liquid or gas - A61F 2250/0012: for adjusting elasticity, flexibility, spring rate or mechanical tension - A61F 2250/0013: for adjusting fluid pressure - 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 An implant or sling device is provided with a tension adjustment system. The adjustment system can include one or more fluid reservoirs to facilitate tension adjustment. Various conduits, balloons, introduction tools, ports and fluid adjustment components and mechanisms can be included to provide selective adjustment of the tension of the implant relative to the supported tissue or organ. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An adjustable pelvic implantation method, comprising: providing an elongate implant having a support portion, at least one extension portion extending from the support portion and having a tissue anchor, and at least one fluid reservoir portion, with the at least one fluid reservoir portion provided generally adjacent to the at least one extension portion; placing the elongate implant against pelvic tissue; and selectively inflating the at least one fluid reservoir portion to adjustably expand and increase tension by shortening a span of the at least one extension portion to facilitate support of the pelvic tissue. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further including providing a flexible conduit in communication with the at least one fluid reservoir. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the tissue anchor includes extending tines. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the support portion is adapted to support a urethra. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the support portion is adapted to support a rectum. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the support portion is adapted to support a bladder neck. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the elongate implant is constructed at least in part of an elongate porous mesh material. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the elongate implant is constructed of a woven mesh material. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the elongate implant is constructed at least in part of a non-woven, generally homogenous polymer material. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one extension portion includes a first and a second extension portion. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the implant further includes a second fluid reservoir portion provided generally adjacent to the second extension portion. ### Claim 12 An adjustable pelvic implantation method, comprising: providing an elongate implant having a support portion, first and second extension portions each extending laterally from the support portion and having a tissue anchor, and a first and second fluid reservoir portions, with the first fluid reservoir portion provided generally adjacent to the first extension portion of the implant and the second fluid reservoir portion provided generally adjacent to the second extension portion; placing the elongate implant against pelvic tissue; and selectively inflating at least one of the first and second fluid reservoir portions to adjustably expand and increase tension by shortening a span of at least one of the first and second extension portions to facilitate support of the pelvic tissue. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further including providing a first flexible conduit in communication with the first fluid reservoir portion. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further including providing a second flexible conduit in communication with the second elongate fluid reservoir portion. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the support portion is adapted to support a urethra. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the support portion is adapted to support a rectum. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the support portion is adapted to support a bladder neck. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the elongate implant is constructed of a woven mesh material. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the elongate implant is constructed at least in part of a non-woven, generally homogenous polymer material. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the support portion has a width dimension greater than a width dimension of at least one of the first and second extension portions.