Other

Boston Scientific Technology, Inc.

Parapatch, Inc.

Springboard Medical Ventures, LLC

Scimed Life Systems, Inc.

Boston Scientific Corporation

Vesica Medical, Inc.

Theodore V Benderev

Mark J Legome

Neil H Naves

Cora St Anne

Timothy C Ryan

Eric Willis

Joseph St Anne

Sheila Wallin

Cindy Santa Cruz

Kevin Wasserstein

Systems and methods for neuromodulation of a female patient suffering from a pelvic condition, such as incontinence, are disclosed. A mechanical stimulus such as pressure, tension, traction, friction, or vibration for example can be applied to one, two, or more clitoral structures sufficient to cause a physiologic stimulus or inhibition, such as neuromodulation to treat or prevent the pelvic condition.

Systems and methods for treating female incontinence and pelvic nerve dysfunction

A method and devices for stimulating visceral pelvic or somatic nerves or their pathways of a female person suffering from a pelvic condition of nerve dysfunction in which non-electrical, external physical stimulation is applied to the clitoral region of the person.

Method and device for treating female pelvic nerve dysfunction

A method of treating prolapsed vagina by tacking the prolapsed vagina to tissue proximate the obturator foramens with anchor mechanisms applied from inside the vagina.

Method of treating vaginal prolapse

Self-anchoring slings and deployment mechanisms for use therewith in selectively positioning a sling into position within the body. According to a preferred embodiment, a system is provided for securing a sling into fixed position within a target site of soft tissue within the body. The system includes an implantable sling having an elongate segment of material with an anchor mechanism formed on the ends thereof. The system also includes a non-mechanically assisted deployment mechanism for positioning the anchor mechanisms within the target site. The deployment mechanism has a manually operable handle having a deployment member extending distally therefrom, the deployment member being detachably fastenable to a respective one of said anchor mechanisms of said implantable sling. The deployment member is configured to guide the anchor mechanism through the soft tissue to the target site, and insert said anchor mechanism into said tissue at said target site.

System and method for securing implants to soft tissue

Systems and methods for measuring the pressure exerted between or within anatomical masses/structures, as well as the position and/or spatial dimensions of an anatomical structure. According to a preferred embodiment, the invention comprises a sensor element positionable between anatomical structures or within an anatomical structure. The sensor is operative to generate a signal indicative of the pressure being exerted therebetween or therewithin. The sensor may be operative to measure spatial dimensions between structures or within a structure. A monitor coupled to the sensor receives a signal generated thereby and provides an indication as to the spacing or pressure being measured. The systems and methods may be utilized in diagnostic tests or surgical procedures.

Systems and methods for determining pressure and spacing relating to anatomical structures

Self-anchoring slings and deployment mechanisms for use therewith in selectively positioning a sling into position within the body. According to a preferred embodiment, the sling comprises an elongate sling portion having opposed ends. Formed upon each respective opposed end is an anchor member operative to be advanced through soft tissue at a selected target site in a first direction but resist movement in an opposed direction. Such anchor members are operative to extend in opposed directions to thus enable a sling to be securely affixed into position and resist sag or otherwise lose its ability to support a given structure. The deployment system is operative to selectively anchor the respective anchor members into position within a tissue mass. Although suitable for a wide variety of applications, it is believed that the system and sling of the present invention are particularly well suited for the deployment of suburethral slings via a trans-obturator route.

System for securing sutures, grafts and soft tissue to bone and periosteum

Devices for affixing sutures, grafts and tissues to bone, and soft tissue such as periosteum. Such devices are designed to be deployed and selectively positioned at a target site and remain seated thereat. The devices are further provided with attachment structures for securing sutures, grafts, synthetic materials or tissues thereto which facilitates the ability of such devices to remain more firmly in position.

Systems for securing sutures, grafts and soft tissue to bone and periosteum

The surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence includes: 1) a technique of probe passage to avoid injuring the bladder and to provide a more accurate and reproducible capture of the pubocervical fascia lateral to the bladder neck and urethra, 2) anchor fixation of the suspending sutures to the pubic bone to decrease the risk of suture pull through from above and to decrease post-operative pain and 3) a simple and reproducible technique to set a limited tension of the suspending sutures. A description of these methods and results of procedures with some of these methods are disclosed. Novel drill guides, suture passers, suture tensioners, and various related tools and devices for use in the surgical method are also disclosed.

Surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence

A device and method for treating urinary as well as fecal incontinence by selectively and controllably imparting stimuli to the pelvic region. The device is adapted to be compressively positioned against the crotch of the user to thus identify target pelvic floor muscles and muscle groups responsible for urinary and/or fecal continence and provide periodic stimulus thereto by way of pressure, stretching, resistance, vibration, and/or heat. The frequency, duration, and extent of the stimulus may be varied as desired for exercise regimens. The device may further be utilized to impart magnetic therapy to the pelvic region of the user or may include a stimulator for imparting a pleasurable sensation to the sex organs. The device may additionally be utilized as a therapy for pain management.

External vibratory exercising device for pelvic muscles

Apparatus and methods for treating urinary and fecal incontinence, urinary drainage, and prolapse. In the first preferred embodiment, the invention comprises a device body insertable into an anatomical passageway and includes a stimulus-producing device disposed therein to provide a signal to the user to perform pelvic strengthening exercises or alternatively, an exercise monitoring device for monitoring exercise activity. In an embodiment for facilitating urinary drainage, there is provided an annular base panel coupled to an anchor member, the latter being designed to anchor the device within an anatomical passageway, such as the vagina. A port formed on the annular panel is provided to mate with the urethral meatus so that a continuous conduit is formed between the urethral meatus and the port. The various embodiments disclosed may further be utilized as pessary devices to provide structural support to the pelvis or utilized to construct customized pessary devices.

Devices and methods for assessment and treatment of urinary and fecal incontinence

A system and method for measuring and indicating the degree of tension and/or positioning of a surgical sling, in particular, a suburethral sling, during surgery. In a first embodiment, the invention comprises a sensor interposable between a suburethral sling and the urethra supported thereby for measuring either relative spatial positioning and/or pressure. A monitor is provided for providing an indication when such tension/pressure/spacing attains optimal levels that correlate with ideal surgical outcomes. In a second embodiment, the invention comprises a tension monitor that may be connected, via a suture, to either respect one or both ends of a suburethral sling. The device may be utilized to manipulate the tension in or positioning of such sling to enable the surgeon to secure such sling in a manner that causes the sling to maintain a desired tension and/or imparted desired urethral support.

Surgical monitor

Devices for affixing sutures, grafts and tissues to bone, and soft tissue such as periosteum. In a first embodiment, the invention comprises a piton member implantable within bone having a post or eyelet formed thereon to which the suture or tissue may be attached. The piton member is designed to become more firmly secured within the bone when pressure is applied to a first axis pushing the piton member into the bone, but may be easily removed when such force is applied in a generally opposed direction. In a second embodiment, the invention comprises affixation devices that are designed to detachably ensnare with periosteum. Such devices are provided with attachment structures, such as one post, eyelet or other means for securing sutures, grafts, synthetic materials or tissues.

Growing community of inventors

Laguna Hills, CA, United States of America

Theodore V Benderev