Abstract:
The present invention includes a method of implanting a urethral prosthesis. The method includes making an incision, positioning arms of the prosthesis in the pelvic region of the patient, and positioning a stem of the prosthesis in the scrotum of the patient.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/500,287, filed Sep. 29, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 13/171,738, filed Jun. 29, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,845,514, which is a is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/789,614, filed May 28, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,998,055, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/923,914, filed Aug. 23, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,753,839, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/422,626 filed Apr. 24, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,198,597, entitled “Male Urethral Prosthesis With Tensioning Member,” which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/378,602 filed May 7, 2002, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/429,341 filed Nov. 26, 2002. All of the aforementioned applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Urinary incontinence is a condition characterized by involuntary loss of urine beyond the individual&#39;s control. One cause for this bra of control is damage to the urethral sphincter caused by, for example, prostatectomy, radiation therapy or pelvic accidents. Other causes of incontinence include bladder instability, over-flowing incontinence and fistulas. 
     Currently, there are a few known surgical treatments for male incontinence, including the implantation of an Artificial Urinary Sphincter (e.g. AMS Sphincter 800 available from American Medical Systems, Minnetonka, Minn.), the implantation of a bone-screw fixated male sling (e.g. AMS InVance, available from American Medical Systems), and a few other procedures. Other procedures that have been largely discontinued include the implantation of a Kaufman III Prosthesis beneath the urethra. All of these prostheses exert a pressure on the urethra to prevent unintentional voiding of the bladder. 
     A drawback to these aforementioned techniques relates to tensioning. After implantation of the InVance male sling, for example, any adjustments to the pressure exerted on the urethra by the prosthesis must be perforated during a separate procedure. To adjust the Artificial Urinary Sphincter, additional instrumentation may also be required. These additional procedures may subject the patient to increased risk of infection and may also make the procedure more costly. An additional drawback is that these devices have little tolerance for improvement or deterioration in the patient&#39;s incontinence condition. Thus, minor changes in the patient&#39;s condition may require another surgical procedure. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment, the present invention provides a urethral prosthesis including a first arm, a second arm and a stem. The first and second arms meet or join to define a junction that is adapted to exert sufficient pressure on a portion of a patient&#39;s urethra to prevent unintentional voiding of a patient&#39;s bladder. The stem is joined to the junction such that a tension force may be exerted on the stem to reduce the pressure exerted on the portion of the patient&#39;s urethra by the junction such that the patient&#39;s bladder may be voided. The urethral prosthesis may further include a tensioning member associated with the first arm, second arm and/or stem, which may be adapted to facilitate manipulation of the urethral prosthesis during implantation in a patient. 
     In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of treating urinary incontinence, in which a prosthesis as described herein is implanted into a patient. The first and second arms may be internally oriented in a variety of manners. For example, the first and second arms may be oriented or positioned anterior, posterior or transobturator relative to the patient&#39;s pubic symphysis. The junction contacts a portion of the urethra and exerts a sufficient pressure to prevent unintentional voiding of the patient&#39;s bladder. The stem may be positioned or implanted in the patient&#39;s scrotum to facilitate easy patient access. When manual tension is placed on the stem, the pressure exerted on the portion of the urethra by the junction decreases such that the patient&#39;s bladder may be intentionally voided. Alter voiding, the tension may be released such that the junction once again exerts sufficient pressure on the portion of the urethra to prevent unintentional voiding of the patient&#39;s bladder. Advantageously, the urethral prosthesis of the present invention may be secured by tissue in-growth and/or tissue encapsulation of portions of the prosthesis. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  schematically illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  schematically illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  schematically illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 4 a - b    illustrate an implanted prosthesis according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 5 a - b    illustrate an implanted prosthesis according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 6 a - b    illustrate an implanted prosthesis according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 7 a - b    illustrate an implanted prosthesis according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 8 a - b    illustrate an implanted prosthesis according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 9 a - b    illustrate en implanted prosthesis according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1-3  illustrate a urethral prosthesis  10  according to various embodiments of the present invention. Urethral prosthesis ID includes a first arm  20  and a second arm  30  feat join to form a junction  40 . A stem  50  is further joined to the junction  40 . 
     A wide range of suitable materials or combinations of suitable materials may be used to form the first and second arms  20 ,  30 . The first and second arms  20 ,  30  in the illustrated embodiment may include one or more lengths of flexible, longitudinally extendable material. The material may be inelastic or elastic, longitudinally extendable or non-extendable, and may be patterned, for example in a mesh pattern, which may encourage tissue in-growth. 
     Suitable materials for the first and second arms  20 ,  30  may include, but are not limited to materials such as polyester, polypropylene, nylon, polyethylene terephthalate, polytetrafluorethylene, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyamide and silk, as well as derivatives, combinations and hybrids of these materials. Preferably, at least the end portions of the first and second arms  20 ,  30  may be configured, for example as a mesh, to promote tissue in-growth. Alternatively, the first and second arms  20 ,  30  may be at least partially formed from a bioabsorbable material such as polylactic acid or polyglycolic acid. Suitable materials are also reported in U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2002/0147382. Still further, the urethral prosthesis  10  may be coated with a suitable bioactive material having a desired physiological effect. For example, suitable bioactive materials may be selectively coated on desired areas or portions of the urethral prosthesis  10  to reduce inflammation, encourage tissue ingrowth and/or to prevent infection in specific areas of a patient. 
     In one embodiment, the first and second arms  20 ,  30  include portions having a polymeric mesh coated with a silicone material or other suitable material, including but not limited to an elastomer, polypropylene, polyester, polyurethane, polyamide, or a derivative, combination or hybrid thereof. In an alternate embodiment, portions of the first and second arms  20 ,  30  may include an additional coating or tubing. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , tubes  25 ,  35  encompass or surround portions of the first and second arms  20 ,  30 . Tubes  25 ,  35  may be used, for example, when the first and second arms  20 ,  30  are formed from a longitudinally extensible mesh. The tubes  25 ,  35  may allow longitudinal extension of the mesh within the tube independent of the mesh outside of the tube. Suitable materials for the tubes  25 ,  35  may include, bat are not limited to polypropylene, nylon, polyester, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyamide, and derivatives, combinations and hybrids thereof. 
     The first and second arms  20 ,  30  may be formed from discrete lengths of materials, which are attached or joined at respective proximal ends by a variety of suitable methods to form the junction  40 . Alternatively, the first and second arms  20 ,  30  may be formed from a single length of material such that the junction  40  is formed approximately at a center point of the length of material that forms the first and second arms  20 ,  30 . 
     The first and second arms  20 ,  30  may be sized and shaped for internal implantation and attachment in the vicinity of a patient&#39;s pubic symphysis, as reported in further detail below. In one embodiment, the arms  20 ,  30  may each have a length between about 5 and about 30 cm, more particularly between about 15 and about 25 cm. The arms  20 ,  30  may have a width of between about 0.5 and about 5 cm, more particularly between about 0.5 cm and about 15 cm. Additionally, the width of the first and second arms  20 ,  30  may not be uniform. 
     The first and second arms  20 ,  30  join to form the junction  40 . The junction  40  is adapted to exert sufficient pressure on a patient&#39;s urethra to prevent unintentional voiding. The junction  40  may include portions that are wider than the first and second arms  20 ,  30 . For example, the junction  40  may have a portion between about 3 and about 5 cm long and between about 1 and about 2 cm wide that is adapted to exert a force against a parent&#39;s urethra when implanted. In one embodiment, the junction includes a coating or overcoat  45  covering proximal portions of first and second arms  20 ,  30 . In embodiments in which the first and second arms.  20 ,  30  are formed from discrete lengths of material, the overcoat  45  may function to secure the first and second arms  20 ,  30  together. The overcoat  45  of the junction may extend between about 1 and about 5 cm along the first and second arms  20 ,  30 , more particularly between about 1 and about 3 cm. The overcoat  45  may have a thickness of between about 0.15 mm and about 3 mm, more particularly between about 0.5 mm and about 1.5 mm. Suitable overcoat materials include, but axe not limited to, polymeric materials such as elastomers, silicones, polypropylenes, polyesters, polyurethanes, polyvinyl chlorides, polyamides and derivatives, combinations and hybrids thereof. The overcoat  45  may discourage tissue in-growth in the vicinity of the patient&#39;s urethra, while allowing tissue encapsulation. Tissue encapsulation may allow some degree of movement of the junction  40 . 
     In an alternate embodiment, the junction  40  may include a compression member (not shown) secured to the first and second arms. The compression member may include a rigid or flexible material that is adapted to exert pressure against a portion of a patient&#39;s urethra to prevent unintentional voiding of the patient&#39;s bladder. For example, the compression member may include a resilient pillow or pouch positioned to exert a pressure against a portion of a patient&#39;s urethra. 
     Stem  50  is joined to the first and second arms  20 ,  30  at the junction  40 . The stem  50  may be formed from the same types of materials as the first and second arms  20 ,  30 . However, the stem  50  is generally formed from a material that has low elasticity such that the stem  50  does not significantly stretch upon the exertion of a tension force. 
     The stem  50  may be formed from a discrete length of material, or may be formed from a single length of material including the first arm  20  and/or second arm  30  of the prosthesis  10 . A portion of the stem  50  may also include the overcoat  45  formed at the junction  40 . For example, the overcoat  45  may extend between about 0.25 and about 3 cm, more particularly between about 0.5 and about 1 cm along a proximal portion of the stem. In embodiments in which the first and/or second arms  20 ,  30  and the stem  50  include discrete lengths of material, the overcoat  45  may attach or join the discrete lengths of material together at the junction  40 . 
     In an alternate embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a stem  55  may include a filament  57  and a tab  59 . The filament should be capable of withstanding the exertion of a tension force on the tab  59 . 
     The urethral prosthesis  10  of the present invention may also include one or more tensioning members  60 ,  70 ,  80 , which are associated with the urethral prosthesis. The one or more tensioning members  60 ,  70 ,  80  may be secured to one or both of the first and second arms  20 ,  30  and may also be optionally secured to the stem  50 . As described in greater detail below, the tensioning member generally functions to provide uniform movement of the urethral prosthesis  10 , particularly the first and second anus  20 ,  30  during implantation in a patient such that suitable pressure is exerted on a patient&#39;s urethra by the junction  40 . 
     In one embodiment, the tensioning member includes at least one filament. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the tensioning member  60 ,  70 ,  80  includes a first filament  60  secured to the first arm  20 , a second filament  70  secured to the second arm  30  and a third filament  80  secured to the stem  50 . More particularly, each filament may be independently secured to a distal end of the first arm  20 , second arm  30  and/or the stem  50 . Each filament may also be secured at a proximal end of the first arm  20 , second arm  30 , and/or stem  50 , as well as the junction  40 . In one embodiment, the first, second and third filaments  60 ,  70 ,  80  are secured to at least one of the other filaments  60 ,  70 ,  80  at the junction  40 . In another embodiment, me first, second and third filaments  60 ,  70 ,  80  are secured to dilators  100 ,  110 ,  120 . 
     One or more dilators  100 ,  110  and  120  may be secured to the distal ends of the first and second arms  20 ,  30  and/or the stem  50  to facilitate implantation in a patient. More particularly, the dilators  100 ,  110  and  120  may associate the urethral prosthesis  10  to a guide needle, which may be fused to position and/or orient the urethral prosthesis  10 , as reported in greater detail below. 
     The urethral prosthesis  10  may be implanted in a patient by a variety of suitable methods. In one embodiment, a small transverse scrotal incision and one or two small horizontal suprapubic incisions are made. A suitable guide needle, similar to the needles reported in US. Published Patent Application Nos. 2002/0147382, 2002/0099259 A1, 2002/0099258 A1 and/or 2001/0161382 may be inserted into the first suprapubic incision and passed either anterior or superior to the pubic symphysis and towards the scrotal incision. Once a first guide needle has been successfully guided and/or positioned, a second guide needle may be inserted through the optional second suprapubic incision and positioned and/or guided in a similar manner, in opposition to the first needle. The distal ends of the guide needles may then be secured to the dilators  100  and  110 , and the urethral prosthesis  10  may be pulled up through the suprapubic incisions. A third guide needle may be used to insert the stem  50  into the scrotal incision and to guide the stem  50  into the proper location and orientation within the scrotum. For example, the stem  50  may be positioned at the posterior scrotal midline of the patient. During the implantation procedure, the first and second arms  20 ,  30  and/or the stem  50  may be covered with heat sealed plastic sheaths (not shown), which are removed prior to completing the procedure. In one embodiment, the sheath is heat sealed to first and second arms  20 ,  30  and stem  50 , and the plastic sheath forms the connection to the connectors  100 ,  110  and  120 . 
     The urethral prosthesis  10  may then be positioned in the vicinity of a patient&#39;s descending rami of the pubic bone such that the junction  40  contacts a portion of the patient&#39;s urethra. The pressure exerted on the urethra may be adjusted during implantation. For example, the pressure may be increased by pulling on the distal ends of the first and second arms  20 ,  30  until a sufficient force is exerted on the urethra. Alternatively, the pressure may be reduced by exerting downward tension on the junction  40  or the stem  50 . The tensioning members  60 ,  70 ,  80  may facilitate these tension adjustments to the urethral prosthesis by allowing the prosthesis to be manipulated in a uniform fashion, rather than by having certain portions of the prosthesis move while other portions remain immobile. The tensioning members may be removed prior to completing the implantation procedure, or may remain secured to the urethral prosthesis substantially permanently. In one embodiment, the junction  40  exerts a pressure between about 50 and about 300 cm H 2 O, more particularly, between about 50 and about 140 cm H 2 O, even more particularly, between about 50 and about 70 cm H 2 O on the patient&#39;s urethra. Advantageously, the exerted pressure may be higher than in conventional prostheses because the pressure may be released by exerting tension on the stem as reported in greater detail below. 
     The urethral prosthesis  10  may be secured internally within the patient in a variety of suitable manners. In one embodiment, the urethral prosthesis  10  may be secured solely by tissue in-growth and/or tissue encapsulation. More specifically, portions of the first and second arms,  20 ,  30  and/or tike stem  50  may be configured, for example, in a mesh configuration, to encourage tissue in-growth. Other portions, including the junction  50  and/or portions of the first and second arms, may be configured in a manner mat does not promote tissue in-growth, but allows for tissue encapsulation. During the weeks and months after implantation, portions of the urethral prosthesis  10  may become increasingly secured within the patient by tissue in-growth and/or tissue encapsulation. In this manner, portions that are in-grown with tissue secure the urethral prosthesis  10 , while portions that are encapsulated in tissue allow for some movement of portions of the urethral prosthesis  10  during use. Advantageously, this embodiment does not require (but may include) additional bone or soft tissue anchors to farther secure the urethral prosthesis  10 . 
     In an alternate embodiment, the first and second arms may be secured to a soft tissue region, such as at the obturator internus muscles or the gracilis muscles, with a combination, of suitable soil tissue anchors and sutures. In an additional embodiment, a combination of tissue in-grown portions and suitable anchors may secure the urethral prosthesis  10 . In yet another embodiment, as in U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2002/10752, the first and second arms  20 ,  30  may be secured to a suitable portion of the patient&#39;s descending rami by a combination of anchors and sutures as reported. 
     In yet another embodiment, the urethral prosthesis  10  may be secured to the pelvic origin of the gracilis tendon. For example, a tissue anchor may be implanted in the most proximal position to the inferior pubic ramus, where the gracilis tendon attaches to the bone. After the tissue anchor is inserted lateral to the tendon, a suture may be passed medial through the tendon to secure the prosthesis in place. This technique may be used on both sides of the body in opposition to secure the urethral prosthesis  10 . A variety of suitable tissue anchor designs and materials may be used for securing the urethral prosthesis  10  in this embodiment. In one embodiment, for example, a “T” shaped tissue anchor may be formed, from titanium, plastic, or stainless steel and may be deployed with a suitable deployment tool and attached to a suture to secure the sling to the tissue. 
     In an alternate embodiment, one or more tissue anchors may be used to secure the urethral prosthesis to the obturator internus muscles. The anchor may be deployed through the obturator foramen and pass through the obturator externus muscle to the obturator internus muscle. The anchor may then be positioned in the anterior recess of the ischio-anal fossa, just anterior to the obturator internus muscle. At least one anchor in each obturator internus muscle in opposition may be used to secure the sling in place. In a further embodiment, the urethral prosthesis  10  may be secured in this position by screwing a bone screw proximal to the gracilis tendon into the inferior pubic ramus. Alternatively, the urethral prosthesis may be secured to the superior or inferior pubic rami with a bone screw. 
       FIGS. 4-9  illustrate several implantation orientations for the urethral prosthesis  10 .  FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate an anterior pubic symphysis orientation, in which the first and second arms  20 ,  30  extend anterior to the pubic symphysis  150 . This orientation may be beneficial because of the reduced chance of causing vascular, neural or visceral damage during implantation. In  FIGS. 4 a - b   , the junction  40  is positioned to exert pressure on a proximal portion  185  of the patient&#39;s urethra  170 . In  FIGS. 5 a - b   , the junction  40  is positioned to exert pressure on a distal portion  195  of the patient&#39;s urethra  170 . 
       FIGS. 6 a - b    illustrate a posterior pubic symphysis orientation, in which first and second arms  20 ,  30  extend posterior to the pubic symphysis  150 . In this orientation, the junction  40  exerts pressure on the proximal portion  18 S of the patient&#39;s urethra  170 .  FIGS. 7 a - b , 8 a - b  and 9 a - b    illustrate various transobturator orientations, in which the first and second arms  29 ,  30  extend around the pubic rami. 
     After implantation, the prosthesis of the present invention exerts sufficient force upon a portion of the patient&#39;s urethra to prevent unintentional voiding of the patient&#39;s bladder. However, when a sufficient tension force is exerted on the stem  50 , the junction  40  is lifted away from the urethra so that the pressure exerted on the urethra is reduced to a sufficient extent that the patient&#39;s bladder may be intentionally voided. Importantly, because the overcoat  45  of the junction  40  is encapsulated by (but not in-grown with) tissue, the junction  40  may be manipulated to a sufficient degree to allow voiding, without adversely affecting the orientation or attachment of the urethral prosthesis  10 . After voiding, the tension on the stem  50  may be released to allow the junction  40  to exert pressure on a portion of the urethra to prevent subsequent unintentional bladder voiding. 
     The urethral prosthesis of the present invention provides several benefits. First, the prosthesis may be implanted in a variety of orientations in a patient. Second, the prosthesis may include portions that encourage tissue in-growth and portions that allow for tissue encapsulation. This may provide for some degree of movement in desired areas, such as the junction, while still maintaining sufficient attachment in the patient without requiring additional bone and/or soft tissue anchors. Third, the addition of the stem allows the patient&#39;s bladder to be voided by simply exerting tension on the stem. This may allow the prosthesis to exert a higher pressure on a portion of the patient&#39;s urethra then existing devices that do not allow for patient manipulation.