Patent ID: 7347813
Filing Date: 2008-03-25
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A surgical assembly for treating female urinary incontinence, comprising: a substantially flat, flexible tape having first and second ends, wherein at least a portion of the tape is adapted to be permanently implanted into a female patient's body as a loop beneath an urethra; a flexible sheath having a first portion covering a first length of the tape and a second portion covering a second length of the tape, the first and second portions substantially covering an entire length of the implant portion of the tape prior to implantation of the tape and sheath combination into the patient's body and being coupled to one another prior to implantation, at a perforation line positioned substantially at a longitudinal center of the sheath, wherein, following implantation into the patient's body, the first and second portions of the sheath are removable from first and second ends of the tape respectively.