US6042536A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bladder sling
Assignee: ConSert LLC
•
Filing: 1998-08-13
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Granted: 2000-03-28
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Expires: 2018-08-13
Abstract
Abstract A sling for supporting the urethra and neck of the bladder to prevent urinary incontinence is disclosed. The sling is designed to provide sufficient support to inhibit the unintended flow of urine, yet stretch in a controlled fashion so that the bladder can be voided at approximate times.
Inventors
- 👤 Claude Tihon
- 👤 Mark A. Rydell
- 👤 William P. Ryan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:26
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/02; A61B17/0218; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/0004; A61F2/0031; A61F2/0036; A61F2/0045; A61B2017/00743; A61B2017/00805; A61B2017/0225; A61B17/04; A61B17/06; A61B17/06166; A61B2017/0618
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
63 words
For the treatment of urinary incontinence by supporting the urethra and neck of the bladder, a sling comprising: a) a support made of a stretchable non-porous material to limit tissue integration into the support; b) first and second suture anchors positioned at opposite ends of the stretchable support; and c) sutures cooperating with said suture anchors to fix the stretchable support in place.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
63 words
For the treatment of urinary incontinence by supporting the urethra and neck of the bladder, a sling comprising: a) a support made of a stretchable non-porous material to limit tissue integration into the support; b) first and second suture anchors positioned at opposite ends of the stretchable support; and c) sutures cooperating with said suture anchors to fix the stretchable support in place.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The sling of claim 1 wherein said material from which said support is made is a synthetic, biocompatible, elastic material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The sling of claim 2 wherein the elasticity of said material approximates that of human tissue.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
10 words
The sling of claim 2 wherein said material is silicone.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
10 words
The sling of claim 2 wherein said material is porous.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The sling of claim 2 wherein said material is treated to inhibit infection.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The sling of claim 2 wherein said material is treated to inhibit inflammation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The sling of claim 2 wherein said material is treated to promote tissue ingrowth.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
10 words
The sling of claim 2 wherein said material is lubricious.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The sling of claim 2 wherein said material is treated to improve lubricity.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The sling of claim 1 wherein said support is rectangular in shape.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The sling of claim 1 wherein said support is generally oval in shape.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The sling of claim 1 further including at least one relief hole through said support.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The sling of claim 13 wherein the elasticity of the support is a function of the size of said relief holes.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The sling of claim 13 wherein the elasticity of the support is a function of the number of said relief holes.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
44 words
The sling of claim 1 further including a flexible sheath extending laterally across said support, and a string extending within said sheath, said string having a first end coupled to said first suture anchor and a second end coupled to said second suture anchor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The sling of claim 16 wherein said sheath is integral with said support.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The sling of claim 16 wherein said sheath is secured to the underside of said support.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The sling of claim 16 wherein said string limits how much the sling can stretch.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
11 words
The sling of claim 16 wherein said string is a monofilament.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The sling of claim 20 wherein said string is pre-coiled by a heat set operator.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The sling of claim 1 wherein said sutures are made of an elastic material.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
53 words
For the treatment of urinary incontinence by supporting the urethra and neck of the bladder, a sling comprising: (a) a support; (b) first and second suture anchors positioned at opposite ends of the support; and (c) stretchable sutures cooperating with said suture anchors to hold the support within a desired range of motion.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
53 words
For the treatment of urinary incontinence by supporting the urethra and neck of the bladder, a sling comprising: (a) a support; (b) first and second suture anchors positioned at opposite ends of the support; and (c) stretchable sutures cooperating with said suture anchors to hold the support within a desired range of motion.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
44 words
A device for supporting the urethra and bladder neck to treat urinary incontinence, comprising an elongated, flexible elastic support member having first and second ends, said ends adapted for connection to a portion of the anatomy with the support member spanning the bladder neck.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
44 words
A device for supporting the urethra and bladder neck to treat urinary incontinence, comprising an elongated, flexible elastic support member having first and second ends, said ends adapted for connection to a portion of the anatomy with the support member spanning the bladder neck.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
59 words
For the treatment of urinary incontinence by supporting the urethra and neck of the bladder, a sling comprising: (a) a stretchable support including at least one relief hole through said support; (b) first and second suture anchors positioned at opposite ends of the stretchable support; and (c) sutures cooperating with said anchors to fix the stretchable support in place.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
59 words
For the treatment of urinary incontinence by supporting the urethra and neck of the bladder, a sling comprising: (a) a stretchable support including at least one relief hole through said support; (b) first and second suture anchors positioned at opposite ends of the stretchable support; and (c) sutures cooperating with said anchors to fix the stretchable support in place.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
The sling of claim 25 wherein the elasticity of the stretchable support is a function of the size of said relief holes.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
22 words
The sling of claim 25 wherein the elasticity of the stretchable support is a function of the number of said relief holes.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
44 words
The sling of claim 25 further including a flexible sheath extending laterally across said support, and a string extending within said sheath, said sling having a first end coupled to said first suture anchor and a second end coupled to said second suture anchor.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
13 words
The sling of claim 28 wherein said sheath is integral with said support.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
16 words
The sling of claim 28 wherein said sheath is secured to the underside of said support.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
15 words
The sling of claim 28 wherein said string limits how much the sling can stretch.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
11 words
The sling of claim 28 wherein said string is a monofilament.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
15 words
The sling of claim 32 wherein said string is pre-coiled by a heat set operator.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4669478A
Cited
US4920986A
Cited
US5386836A
Cited
US5562689A
Cited
US5840011A
Cited
US5785640A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-03-28 | 2003-09-27 | 2004-03-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-03-28 | 2007-09-27 | 2008-03-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-03-28 | 2011-09-27 | 2012-03-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |