Ethicon, Gmbh

Other

Jorn Lehe

Gene W Kammerer

Susanne Landgrebe

Brian H Luscombe

Hans-Jochen Hoepffner

Ulf Ulmsten

Chao-Chen Chen

Laura Angelini

Johan Stormby

Jochen Hoepffner

Brian Luscombe

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.

Surgical instrument and method for treating female urinary incontinence

A surgical instrument for introducing a support strand into the body to treat female urinary incontinence has an elongated, curved shaft with a distal end insertable into the body. The shaft has a lumen therein extending at least a portion of the length of the shaft through which the support strand may pass in an axial direction. The shaft has a slot on an exterior surface thereof communicating with the lumen allowing the support strand to be laterally passed between the lumen to a position outside the shaft. A pointed element, is removably positionable on the distal end of the shaft for facilitating the insertion of the shaft through the body and is connectable at one end to the support strand. The pointed element may either be swaged directly to the strand or be in the form of an elongated needle with an eye to which the strand is removably attached. In an associated method, the shaft sequentially delivers the pointed element through the body twice, forming a loop around the urethra to relieve incontinence. The slot in the shaft permits the instrument to be disassociated from the strand without disturbing the loop.

Apparatus and method for treating female urinary incontinence

Described 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. 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. The needle attaches to a handle on which attaches a mechanical arm to track the position of the needle point as it passes through the body and exits the abdominal wall.

Aiming device for surgical instrument and method for use for treating female urinary incontinence

A surgical needle ( ) for implanting a tape ( ) has a needle tip ( ) at the distal end ( ) of the needle ( ) and a shaft ( ). An insertion wing ( ) with a distal ( ) and a proximal ( ) end extends from the shaft ( ). The insertion wing ( ) widens from its distal end ( ) in proximal direction and has in the area of its proximal end ( ) an attachment device ( ) for the tape ( ) to be implanted.

Surgical needle for implanting a tape

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.

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The Hague, Netherlands

Jorn Lehe