Patent ID: 8371998
Filing Date: 2013-02-12
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A method of treating anal incontinence in a patient comprising: establishing a pathway in tissue of the patient extending about the anal sphincter, wherein said pathway extends from a left pathway end laterally left and posterior to the anus, through the perineum, to a right pathway end laterally right and posterior to the anus, and wherein the step of establishing said pathway comprises: making a left buttock incision in the patient's left buttock at said left pathway end; making a right buttock incision in the patient's right buttock at said right pathway end; making an incision in the posterior vaginal wall that extends into the perineum; establishing a left passage of said pathway extending between said left buttock incision and said vaginal incision; and establishing a right passage of said pathway extending between said right buttock incision and said vaginal incision; implanting an elongate flexible support member in and extending along said pathway to support the anal sphincter, wherein the elongate flexible support member comprises a central portion and exactly two elongate extension portions extending from the central portion.