Patent ID: 7766926
Filing Date: 2010-08-03
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A sling specifically configured for supporting a urethra in a patient with a hammock style arrangement, the sling comprising: a sterile, medically implantable sling body having a first end portion with a first length and a first width and a second end portion with a second length and a second width; the sling body having a support portion configured to support a urethra with the support portion disposed below the urethra to support the urethra in a hammock like orientation, with the support portion including a support length and a support width, the support portion being disposed intermediate the first and second end portions; a first transition segment connecting said first end portion to said support portion, and a second transition segment connecting said second end portion to said support portion, wherein the length of each of the first and second end portions is greater than the length of the support portion and the width of each of the first, second, and support portions is greater than a width of at least a portion of each of the first and second transition segments, and the first and second transition segments are configured to allow the support portion to be substantially flat to support the urethra while at least one of the first and second transition segments or the first and second end portions are compressed; wherein the end portions, the support portion, and the first and second transition segments are configured for passage through a needle path in soft tissue of the patient.