US6273852B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Surgical instrument and method for treating female urinary incontinence
Assignee: Ethicon Inc
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Filing: 2000-03-09
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Granted: 2001-08-14
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Expires: 2020-03-09
Abstract
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.
Inventors
- 👤 Jorn Lehe
- 👤 Chao-Chen Chen
- 👤 Brian H. Luscombe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 09:38
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/04; A61B17/0469; A61B1/00; A61B1/00064; A61B1/00071; A61B1/0008; A61B1/00087; A61B1/307; A61B17/06; A61B17/06066; A61B17/06109; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/0004; A61F2/0031; A61F2/0036; A61F2/0045; A61B1/04; A61B1/042; A61B2017/00743; A61B2017/00805; A61B17/06004; A61B2017/06028; A61B2017/06042; A61B2017/06047; A61B2017/06057; A61B2017/0608; A61B2017/06085; A61B90/00; A61B90/30; A61B2090/306; A61B90/36; A61B90/361; A61B2090/3614; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S128/00; Y10S128/25
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
A surgical instrument for treating female urinary stress incontinence comprising: a) a tape for implanting into the lower abdomen of a female to provide support to the urethra; and b) a needle element defining in part a curved shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, and a diameter that decreasingly varies from the proximal end to the distal end, and means for attaching to the tape.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
68 words
A surgical instrument for treating female urinary stress incontinence comprising: a) a tape for implanting into the lower abdomen of a female to provide support to the urethra; and b) a needle element defining in part a curved shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, and a diameter that decreasingly varies from the proximal end to the distal end, and means for attaching to the tape.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the distal end of the needle has a diameter from about 3 mm to about 5 mm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the proximal end of the needle has a diameter from about 5 mm to about 6 mm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the tape comprises connecting means and the needle comprises attaching means for detachably accepting the connecting means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the attaching means is located at the distal end.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The surgical instrument of claim 4 wherein the connecting means is a tab element and the attaching means is a slot.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the distal end defines a blunt tip.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The surgical instrument of claim 7 wherein the blunt tip has a radius of about 0.6 mm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
90 words
A surgical instrument for treating female urinary stress incontinence comprising i) a tape for implanting into the lower abdomen of a female to provide support to the urethra, the tape defining a first end and a second end of a synthetic material and the tape further comprising a natural material; and ii). a needle element defining in part a curved shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, and means for attaching to the tape, and a diameter that decreasingly varies from the proximal end to the distal end.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
90 words
A surgical instrument for treating female urinary stress incontinence comprising i) a tape for implanting into the lower abdomen of a female to provide support to the urethra, the tape defining a first end and a second end of a synthetic material and the tape further comprising a natural material; and ii). a needle element defining in part a curved shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, and means for attaching to the tape, and a diameter that decreasingly varies from the proximal end to the distal end.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The surgical instrument of claim 9 wherein the natural material is selected from the group consisting of autologous, allograft, xenograft and a tissue engineered matrix.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The surgical instrument of claim 9 further comprising a curved needle-like element defining in part a curved shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, and means for attaching to the tape.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The surgical instrument of claim 11 wherein the curved needle element further defines a diameter that decreasingly varies from the proximal end to the distal end.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The surgical instrument of claim 9 wherein the distal end of the needle has a diameter from about 3 mm to about 5 mm.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The surgical instrument of claim 9 wherein the distal end of the needle has a diameter from about 5 mm to about 6 mm.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The surgical instrument of claim 9 wherein the tape comprises connecting means and the needle comprises attaching means for detachably accepting the attaching means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The surgical instrument of claim 15 wherein the attaching means is located at the distal end.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The surgical instrument of claim 15 wherein the connecting means is a tab element and the attaching means is a slot.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The surgical instrument of claim 9 wherein the distal end defines a blunt tip.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The surgical instrument of claim 18 wherein the blunt tip has a radius of about 0.6 mm.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
59 words
A surgical instrument for treating female urinary stress incontinence comprising: a) a tape for implanting into the lower abdomen of a female to provide support to the urethra having connecting means; and b) a needle element defining in part a curved shaft having a distal end and a proximal end and attaching means for detachably accepting the connecting means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
59 words
A surgical instrument for treating female urinary stress incontinence comprising: a) a tape for implanting into the lower abdomen of a female to provide support to the urethra having connecting means; and b) a needle element defining in part a curved shaft having a distal end and a proximal end and attaching means for detachably accepting the connecting means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The surgical instrument of claim 20 wherein the attaching means is located at the distal end.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The surgical instrument of claim 20 wherein the connecting means is a tab element and the attaching means is a slot.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
The surgical instrument of claim 20 wherein the distal end defines a blunt tip.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The surgical instrument of claim 23 wherein the blunt tip has a radius of about 0.6 mm.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
The surgical instrument of claim 20 wherein the curved shaft defines a diameter that decreasingly varies from the proximal end to the distal end.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
24 words
The surgical instrument of claim 25 wherein the distal end of the needle has a diameter from about 3 mm to about 5 mm.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
The surgical instrument of claim 25 wherein the proximal end of the needle has a diameter from about 5 mm to about 6 mm.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
141 words
A method for treating female urinary incontinence comprising the steps of: a) providing a first and second needle element, each defining a curved shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, and a diameter that decreasingly varies from the proximal end to the distal end and a tape attached to both needle elements; b) passing the first needle and tape into the body via the vagina and on one side of the urethra and extending the tape over the pubic bone and through the abdomen wall; c) passing the second needle and tape into the body via the vagina and on the opposite side of the urethra than the first needle and extending the tape over the pubic bone and through the abdomen wall, creating a supporting sling below the urethra; and d) leaving the tape implanted in the body.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
141 words
A method for treating female urinary incontinence comprising the steps of: a) providing a first and second needle element, each defining a curved shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, and a diameter that decreasingly varies from the proximal end to the distal end and a tape attached to both needle elements; b) passing the first needle and tape into the body via the vagina and on one side of the urethra and extending the tape over the pubic bone and through the abdomen wall; c) passing the second needle and tape into the body via the vagina and on the opposite side of the urethra than the first needle and extending the tape over the pubic bone and through the abdomen wall, creating a supporting sling below the urethra; and d) leaving the tape implanted in the body.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
64 words
A method for treating female urinary incontinence comprising the steps of: a) providing a needle element defining in part a curved shaft having a distal end and a proximal end and a tape attached thereto; and b) passing the needle and tape into the body via the vagina to form a sling around the urethra; and c) leaving the tape implanted in the body.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
64 words
A method for treating female urinary incontinence comprising the steps of: a) providing a needle element defining in part a curved shaft having a distal end and a proximal end and a tape attached thereto; and b) passing the needle and tape into the body via the vagina to form a sling around the urethra; and c) leaving the tape implanted in the body.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
71 words
A method for treating female urinary incontinence comprising the steps of: a) providing a needle element defining in part a curved shaft; b) attaching a tape to the needle; c) passing the needle and tape into the body; d) attaching the tape to the needle and passing the needle and tape into the body to form a sling around the urethra the and e) leaving the tape implanted in the body.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
71 words
A method for treating female urinary incontinence comprising the steps of: a) providing a needle element defining in part a curved shaft; b) attaching a tape to the needle; c) passing the needle and tape into the body; d) attaching the tape to the needle and passing the needle and tape into the body to form a sling around the urethra the and e) leaving the tape implanted in the body.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-08-13 | 2005-02-12 | 2005-08-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-08-13 | 2009-02-12 | 2009-08-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-08-13 | 2013-02-12 | 2013-08-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |