Transobturator introducer system for sling suspension system

Abstract

An introducer device comprising: an introducer needle having a proximal end and a distal end and a handle having a needle receiving end. The handle can be adapted to receive said distal end of said introducer needle such that said introducer needle is selectably detachably coupled to said handle. A connector for attachment to an implant strip can have an arm having a hole therethrough and an introducer needle including a connection portion having a barb. It can comprise a central portion; a first arm pivotally mounted to the central portion and having a first projection and a second projection extending therefrom. A second arm can be pivotally mounted to the central portion and having a first hole and a second hole defined therein. The first and second holes can be positioned so that when the first arm pivots toward the second arm, the first and second projections are received in the first and second holes. A tube portion can extend from said central portion and define a tube aperture therein. The tube aperture can be adapted to receive the barb such that the connector can be selectably detachably coupled or permanently affixed to the introducer needle.

1 . An introducer device, comprising:
 an implant member having a central urethral supporting portion, a first arm integral with a first side of the central portion, and a second arm integral with a second side of a central portion opposite the first side;   an introducer needle, comprising:
 a needle body having a hook shape, a helical shape, a semi-circular shape, or a halo shape; and 
 a coupling device at a proximal end of said needle body, including an adjustment member proximate to first and second jaws biased in an open position, wherein movement of the adjustment member to a first position closes the jaws to capture a free end of the first or second arm of the implant member; and 
   a handle adapted to receive a distal end of said introducer needle to permit selective detachable coupling of the introducer needle to the handle.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The introducer device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the implant member's central portion, first arm, and second arm has a plurality of openings formed therein. 
     
     
         4 . The introducer device of  claim 1 , wherein the first arm and the second arm of the implant member each have a plurality of slits running therethrough. 
     
     
         5 . The introducer device of  claim 4 , wherein the slits are arranged along a lengthwise axis of the implant member. 
     
     
         6 . The introducer device of  claim 4 , wherein the slits are arranged in a two-dimensional pattern. 
     
     
         7 . The introducer device of  claim 4 , wherein the slits are arranged in regular pattern 
     
     
         8 . The introducer device of  claim 1 , wherein the needle body is in a hook shape. 
     
     
         9 . The introducer device of  claim 1 , wherein the needle body is in a helical shape. 
     
     
         10 . The introducer device of  claim 1 , wherein the needle body is in a semi-circular shape. 
     
     
         11 . The introducer device of  claim 1 , wherein the needle body is in a halo shape. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The introducer device of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustment member comprises a sliding collar biased in the first position by a spring member, the first and second jaws releasing the free end of the first or second arm of the implant member upon movement of the collar against the biasing force of the spring member away from the first and second jaws. 
     
     
         14 . The introducer device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second jaws include a plurality of penetrating teeth. 
     
     
         15 . The introducer device of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling device further comprises a jaw piece connected to the first and second jaws, the jaw piece including a threaded profile on an outer surface thereof, and wherein the adjustment member comprises a collar with a threaded inner surface, the collar translating to the first position upon rotation of the collar. 
     
     
         16 . The introducer device of  claim 15 , wherein the jaw piece includes an extended portion inserted into a recess in the needle body. 
     
     
         17 . An introducer device, comprising:
 an implant member including a plurality of slits along a first and second side extending away from a central urethral supporting portion;   an introducer needle including a first end, a second end, and a needle body between the first end and second end, a coupling device at the first end including a jaw member biased in an open position and an adjustment member independent from the jaw member, wherein movement of the adjustment member into contact with the jaw member forces the jaw member to a closed position to capture a free end of the implant member inserted in the jaw member; and   a handle receiving the second end of the introducer needle to permit selective detachable coupling of the introducer needle to the handle.   
     
     
         18 . The introducer device of  claim 17 , wherein the needle body has a hook shape, a helical shape, a semi-circular shape, or a halo shape. 
     
     
         19 . The introducer device of  claim 17 , wherein the jaw member includes a plurality of penetrating teeth. 
     
     
         20 . The introducer device of  claim 17 , wherein the adjustment member comprises a sliding collar biased into contact with the jaw member by a spring member, the jaw member opening to the open position upon movement of the collar against the biasing force of the spring member out of contact with the jaw member.