Apparatus and method for treating female urinary incontinence

Abstract

The present invention provides a surgical implant and method for supporting the urethra where the implant includes a suburethral support suspended between two soft tissue anchors. The surgical implant is introduced into at least one incision made on the upper wall of a vagina with the first soft tissue anchor inserted on a first side of the urethra behind the pubic bone, and the second soft tissue anchor inserted on a second side of the urethra behind the pubic bone, such that the suburethral support is suspended from the soft tissue anchors and supports the urethra. Each of the first and second soft tissue anchors are inserted in, and fix in, the soft tissue of the perineum without penetrating the obturator foramen.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 510,488 filed Mar. 28, 2005, entitled “Apparatus And Method For Treating Female Urinary Incontinence,” and a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 199,061, filed Aug. 8, 2005, entitled “Apparatus And Method For Treating Female Urinary Incontinence,” which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 398,992, filed Apr. 11, 2003, entitled “Apparatus And Method For Treating Female Urinary Incontinence,” and which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,960,160 on Nov. 1, 2005, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein in their entireties.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to an apparatus and method for treating female urinary incontinence and, in particular, to a surgical implant having a sling that passes under the urethra in use and supports the urethra to alleviate incontinence, along with relate...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0023] It is preferable if at least one of the retaining means of the implant is moveable from a collapsed position to an extended position as it enables the retaining means to actively move into tissue in at least one layer of the tissue following suitable location of the implant. The movement of the retaining means from a collapsed position to an extended position allows the means to move into and be retained in tissue which has been undisturbed or which has not been disrupted during placement of the implant. The collapsed position of the implant can be achieved by rolling up, folding, bending, or enclosing the implant in a restrained position.

[0152] The locating of a soft tissue anchor in the soft tissue of the perineum may be advantageous as it is less likely that the bladder may be perforated than in retropubic methods where the needle passage is medial and therefore near to the bladder.

Problems solved by technology

Whilst highly effective in treating urinary incontinence, this procedure has a number of problems.

One such problem is that the needles used for inserting the tape are comparatively large, with the needles having, for example, a diameter of around 5-6 mm and a length of around 200 mm.

As well as causing concern for patients viewing such needles before or during the procedure (which is carried out under local anesthetic), this can also lead to a high vascular injury rate.

Similarly, the requirement that the needles exit the lower abdominal wall is disadvantageous due to the trauma to the patient in this area and pain of such abdominal wounds.

A further disadvantage is that the tape comprises a relatively large foreign body mass to be retained within the patient and this can lead to related inflammation, infection translocation, erosion, fistula and such like.

Similarly, the nature of the large needles and tape, along with the tools required to insert these in the body, lead to the procedure having a relatively high cost.

The requirement that the needles exit the body over the obturator foramen is disadvantageous due to the trauma to the patient in this area and pain of such wounds.

A further disadvantage is that the implant comprises a relatively large foreign body mass to be retained within the patient and this can lead to related inflammation, infection translocation, erosion, fistula and such like.

Furthermore, anatomical damage to nerves and blood vessels may occur during procedures which penetrate the obturator foramen.

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