Patent · US Expired

Apparatus and method for applying and adjusting an anchoring device

US5507754A · kind A · utility

892Cited by
33References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 20, 1993
Grant dateApr 16, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 20, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B2050/0065
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method and apparatus for elevating, approximating and/or restraining internal organs or structures, and more particularly for treating female urinary stress incontinence is provided. The invention includes an anchoring device having an elongated suture with an anchor at each end thereof and a cinching member therebetween for adjusting the length of the suture, an apparatus for applying the anchoring device, and an apparatus for drawing the suture relative to the cinching member after it has been emplaced. The method involves securing a first anchor to a first structure, such as the vaginal wall, securing a second anchor to a second structure, such as Cooper's ligament, and drawing the suture relative to the cinching member to approximate the first and second anchors, and thereby move the first structure and the second structure into juxtaposition so as to approximate them.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.