Patent ID: 8845512
Filing Date: 2014-09-30
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A method for supporting tissue within a patient, comprising: making an incision in a vaginal wall of the patient; attaching a first tissue anchor to a first introducer needle; passing the first introducer needle and the first tissue anchor into the incision in a direction of an obturator membrane, the first tissue anchor attached to a support member via a first filamentary element, the first filamentary element spacing the first tissue anchor from the support member a fixed length; inserting the first tissue anchor into the obturator membrane; removing the first introducer needle; attaching a second tissue anchor to a second introducer needle; passing the second introducer needle and the second tissue anchor into the incision in a direction of a contralateral obturator membrane, the second tissue anchor attached to the support member via a second filamentary element, the second filamentary element having a first end permanently connected to the support member and a second end passing through the second tissue anchor; inserting the second tissue anchor into the contralateral obturator membrane; removing the second introducer needle; and pulling on the second filamentary element to adjust tension exerted by the support member on the tissue, wherein the second filamentary element is slidable through an aperture in the second tissue anchor and pulling on the second filamentary element to adjust tension includes sliding at least a portion of the second filamentary element through the aperture.