Surgical articles for placing an implant about a tubular tissue structure and methods

Abstract

A minimally invasive surgical instrument for placing an implantable article about a tubular tissue structure is disclosed. The surgical instrument is particularly useful for treating urological disorders such as incontinence. Surgical methods using the novel instrument are also described.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A device for treating urinary incontinence comprising at least one implantable article for insertion into the urethra, wherein, in the pre-deployment state, the implantable article is located within the urethra and in the post-deployment state, the implantable article is located substantially external to the urethra. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one implantable article is substantially helical in shape. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one implantable article is substantially semi-circular in shape. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the device comprises a plurality of substantially semi-circular-shaped implantable articles. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one implantable article is substantially circular in shape. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one implantable article comprises a suture. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the suture is tied with an adjustable knot. 
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein a leading end of the at least one implantable article penetrates a urethral wall during deployment. 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one implantable structure comprises a rigid material. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the implantable article comprises a shape memory material capable of resiliently deflecting into a predetermined shape during deployment. 
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the at least one implantable article is capable of moving along a substantially helical path. 
     
     
         32 . A surgical device for placing an implantable article about the urethra to treat urinary incontinence, comprising:
 an implantable article insertable within a patient's urethra and deployable from a first position to a second position; and   an actuator to deploy the implantable article from the first position to the second position, such that the implantable article is situated within the patient's urethra in the first position and at least a portion of the implantable article is located external to the patient's urethra in the second position.   
     
     
         33 . The surgical device of  claim 32 , wherein the implantable article is substantially helical in shape. 
     
     
         34 . The surgical device of  claim 32 , wherein the implantable article is substantially semi-circular in shape. 
     
     
         35 . The surgical device of  claim 32 , wherein a leading end of the implantable article penetrates a urethral wall during deployment. 
     
     
         36 . The surgical device of  claim 33 , wherein the implantable article is capable of moving along a substantially helical path. 
     
     
         37 . The device of  claim 32 , wherein the implantable structure comprises a rigid material. 
     
     
         38 . The surgical device of  claim 32 , wherein the implantable article comprises a suture. 
     
     
         39 . The surgical device of  claim 32 , wherein in the first position, the implantable structure is in a retracted state and in the second position, the implantable structure is in an extended state. 
     
     
         40 . A surgical device for placing an implantable article to treat urinary incontinence, comprising:
 an elongate member adapted for placement within a patient's urethra;   a helical member movable about the elongate member between a first position within the patient's urethra and an second position wherein at least a portion of the helical member is outside of the patient's urethra; and   an actuator adapted to move the helical member between the first position and the second position.   
     
     
         41 . The surgical device of  claim 40 , wherein the helical member is capable of moving along a substantially helical path. 
     
     
         42 . A surgical device for placing an implantable article about a patient's urethra, comprising:
 an implantable article movable between a first position and a second position; and   an actuator to move the implantable article between the first and second positions,
 wherein at least a portion of the implantable article is moved outside of the patient's urethra in the second position. 
   
     
     
         43 . The surgical device of  claim 42 , wherein the implantable article is capable of moving along a substantially helical path.