Patent ID: 6596001
Filing Date: 2003-07-22
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A surgical instrument for implanting a device within a patients body to treat female urinary stress incontinence comprising:a) a handle; b) a surgical element dimensioned for introducing the device into the body, the surgical element defining in part a curved shaft and having a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end being coupled to the handle so as to fix the surgical element in position relative to the handle; and c) an articulating mechanical arm having a distal end and a proximal end, the articulating mechanical arm being coupled to the handle and movable relative to both the handle and surgical element to at least a position in which the distal end of the arm aligns in a predetermined manner with the distal end of the surgical element, the arm further being movable relative to the surgical element and handle and being dimensioned to enable it to remain outside of the body to provide a visual indicator as to the position of the surgical element when it is used to introduce the support device into the body.