Surgical instrument and method for treating female urinary incontinence

US6932759B2 · kind B2 · utility

Inventors

• Gene W. Kammerer · East Brunswick Township, US
• Brian H. Luscombe · Hackettstown, US
• Hans-Jochen Hoepffner · Barmstedt, DE
• Susanne Landgrebe · Sülfeld, DE
• Ulf Ulmsten · Danderyd, SE
• Jorn Lehe · Hamburg, DE
• Laura Angelini · Roma, IT

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 31, 2002
• Grant date: Aug 23, 2005
• Expiry date: Jan 1, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2090/3614
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Described is a surgical instrument and method for treating female urinary stress incontinence. The instrument includes a first curved needle-like element defining in part a curved shaft having a distal end and a proximal, a tape, or mesh, for implanting into the lower abdomen of a female to provide support to the urethra; a second curved needle element having a proximal end and a distal end, and a coupler for simultaneous attachment to the distal end of the first needle and the distal end of the second needle. In an alternate embodiment, the second curved needle is an anesthesia needle and the method includes anesthetizing the needle pathway through a patient's body to facilitate the passage of the first needle and mesh therethrough.