Patent · US Expired

Surgical instrument and method for treating female urinary incontinence

US6273852A · kind A · utility

737Cited by

6References

30Claims

0Family size

Assignee

Ethicon, Inc. · US

Inventors

Jorn Lehe · Hamburg, DE
Chao-Chen Chen · Baoshan, TW
Brian H. Luscombe · Hackettstown, US

Key dates

Filing date	Mar 9, 2000
Grant date	Aug 14, 2001
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Mar 9, 2020

Classification

Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
CPC primaryY10S128/25
WIPO fieldMedical technology
WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A is a surgical instrument and method for treating female urinary stress incontinence. The instrument includes a curved needle-like element defining in part a curved shaft having a distal end and a proximal end. The diameter of the needle decreases from the proximal end to the distal end, and the needle terminates in a blunt tip. A tape attaches to the needle for implanting into the lower abdomen of a female to provide support to the urethra. The tape may be made from synthetic and natural materials. The needle and tape may also be modified to allow the surgeon to attach and detach the tape during the surgical operation.

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