Patent ID: 8777834

Claim:
A sling assembly comprising: an implantable sling having first and second ends and first and second longitudinal edges; first and second dilators, each having proximal and distal ends, an axially oriented passage extending at least partially from the distal end to the proximal end, the passage being sized and shaped for receiving a distal end of a delivery device shaft, and an aperture extending through each of the first and second dilators in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axially oriented passage; and an elastic member comprising a material capable of from a retracted state to an elongated state and substantially retracting to its former length, the elastic member being longer than the sling when in the retracted state, and extending axially through the sling, the first dilator being attached to a first end of the elastic member, and the second dilator being attached to a second end of the elastic member.