Adjustable Tissue Support Member

Abstract

An adjustable single-incision sling system, includes a tissue support portion, a first tissue anchor, and a second tissue anchor. The first tissue anchor connects to the tissue support portion via a first arm, which spaces the first tissue anchor from the tissue support portion a fixed first distance. The second tissue anchor connects to the tissue support portion via a second arm, which has a free end passing through the second tissue anchor spacing the second tissue anchor from the tissue support portion a variable second distance, such that movement of the free end with respect to the second tissue anchor decreases the second distance.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An adjustable single-incision sling system, comprising:
 a tissue support portion;   a first tissue anchor connected to the tissue support portion via a first arm, the first arm spacing the first tissue anchor from the tissue support portion a fixed first distance; and   a second tissue anchor connected to the tissue support portion via a second arm, the second arm having a free end passing through the second tissue anchor spacing the second tissue anchor from the tissue support portion a variable second distance, wherein movement of the free end with respect to the second tissue anchor decreases the second distance.   
     
     
         2 . The tissue support system according to  claim 1 , wherein the second arm is formed by a tubular knit construction of a mesh material. 
     
     
         3 . The tissue support system according to  claim 1 , wherein the second tissue anchor includes a head with a tissue penetrating tip and a base. 
     
     
         4 . The tissue support system according to  claim 3 , wherein the base includes an aperture through which the second arm is positioned. 
     
     
         5 . The tissue support system according to  claim 4 , wherein the aperture is normal to a longitudinal axis of the second tissue anchor. 
     
     
         6 . The tissue support system according to  claim 4 , wherein the aperture resists unconstrained movement of the second arm therethrough. 
     
     
         7 . The tissue support system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a locking member disposed in a lumen of the second arm between the second tissue anchor and a second end of the second arm, wherein the locking member is shaped to permit movement toward the second tissue anchor, but to resist movement away from the second tissue anchor. 
     
     
         8 . The tissue support system according to  claim 7 , further comprising a stylet for introduction into the lumen of the second arm, and for urging the locking member in the direction of the second tissue anchor. 
     
     
         9 . The tissue support system according to  claim 1 , further comprising an introducer needle capable of releasably securing the first and second tissue anchors. 
     
     
         10 . The tissue support system according to  claim 9 , wherein the introducer needle comprises a shaft and a handle. 
     
     
         11 . The tissue support system according to  claim 10 , wherein the shaft has a curved portion. 
     
     
         12 . The tissue support system according to  claim 11 , wherein the shaft has a substantially helical shape. 
     
     
         13 . The tissue support system according to  claim 10 , wherein the handle comprises a manually operable mechanism for releasing the anchor from the distal end of the shaft. 
     
     
         14 . The tissue support system according to  claim 1 , wherein the tissue support portion comprises orientating indicia. 
     
     
         15 . The tissue support system according to  claim 14 , wherein the orientating indicia comprises a colored feature in the center of the tissue support portion. 
     
     
         16 . The tissue support system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second tissue anchors are shaped to penetrate tissue when urged in a first direction, and resist movement in a second direction opposite of the first direction. 
     
     
         17 . The tissue support system according to  claim 1 , wherein the tissue support portion, the first arm, and the second arm are formed from mesh. 
     
     
         18 . The tissue support system according to  claim 17 , wherein the tissue support portion is formed from a single layer of mesh. 
     
     
         19 . The tissue support system according to  claim 17 , wherein the tissue support portion, the first arm, and the second arm are constructed from a unitary tubular member. 
     
     
         20 . A method for supporting body tissue, comprising:
 making an incision in a vaginal wall of a patient;   inserting a first tissue anchor into the incision in the direction of an obturator membrane on a first side of the patient, the first tissue anchor connected to a tissue support portion via a first arm, the first arm spacing the first tissue anchor from the tissue support portion a fixed first distance;   perforating the obturator membrane on the first side of the patient with the first tissue anchor;   inserting a second tissue anchor into the incision in the direction of an obturator membrane on a second side of the patient, the second tissue anchor connected to the tissue support portion via a second arm, the second arm spacing the second tissue anchor from the tissue support portion a variable second distance;   perforating the obturator membrane on the second side of the patient with the second tissue anchor; and   pulling on the second arm to adjust the tension exerted by the tissue support portion on the body tissue.