Adjustable implants and methods of implanting the same

Abstract

In one embodiment, a medical device includes a tissue anchor has a first portion and a second portion. The tissue anchor is configured to be placed within bodily tissue of a patient. The first portion of the tissue anchor includes an extension member configured to engage the bodily tissue to help retain the tissue anchor within the bodily tissue. The first portion has an inner surface and defines a cavity. The second portion of the tissue anchor has a helical ridge. The helical ridge is configured to engage the inner surface of the first portion of the tissue anchor to movably couple the second portion of the tissue anchor to the first portion of the tissue anchor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A medical device, comprising:
 a tissue anchor having a first portion and a second portion, the tissue anchor being configured to be placed within bodily tissue of a patient,   the first portion of the tissue anchor includes an extension member configured to engage the bodily tissue to help retain the tissue anchor within the bodily tissue, the first portion having an inner surface and defining a cavity,   the second portion of the tissue anchor having a helical ridge, the helical ridge being configured to engage the inner surface of the first portion of the tissue anchor to movably couple the second portion of the tissue anchor to the first portion of the tissue anchor.   
     
     
         2 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the extension member is a barb member. 
     
     
         3 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the inner surface of the first portion defines a helical groove, the helical ridge of the second portion of the tissue anchor being configured to engage the helical groove of the inner surface of the second portion of the tissue anchor. 
     
     
         4 . The medical device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an implant coupled to the tissue anchor.   
     
     
         5 . The medical device of  claim 1 , the tissue anchor being a first tissue anchor, the device further comprising:
 an implant having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion, the first end portion being coupled to the first tissue anchor, the second end portion being coupled to a second tissue anchor.   
     
     
         6 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the second portion of the tissue anchor is configured to rotate with respect to first portion of the tissue anchor. 
     
     
         7 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the second portion of the tissue anchor includes an engagement portion configured to engage an insertion device. 
     
     
         8 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the second portion of the tissue anchor includes a slot configured to engage an insertion device. 
     
     
         9 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the tissue anchor defines a longitudinal axis, the first portion of the tissue anchor defining a lumen defining a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axis of the first portion of the tissue anchor being offset from the longitudinal axis of the lumen. 
     
     
         10 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the tissue anchor defines a longitudinal axis, the first portion of the tissue anchor defining a lumen defining a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axis of the first portion of the tissue anchor being disposed at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the lumen. 
     
     
         11 . A medical device comprising:
 an elongate member having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the elongate member defining a cavity;   a shaft member at least partially disposed within the cavity of the elongate member, the shaft member being configured to rotate with respect to the elongate member; and   an actuator operatively coupled to the shaft member and configured to cause the shaft member to rotate with respect to the elongate member.   
     
     
         12 . The medical device of  claim 11 , wherein a portion of the shaft member extends from the distal end portion of the elongate member. 
     
     
         13 . The medical device of  claim 11 , wherein a portion of the shaft member extends from the distal end portion of the elongate member and a portion of the actuator extends from a sidewall of the proximal end portion. 
     
     
         14 . The medical device of  claim 11 , wherein the actuator is configured to rotate with respect to the elongate member. 
     
     
         15 . The medical device of  claim 11 , wherein the actuator is configured to rotate with respect to the elongate member and at least a portion of the actuator extends from a sidewall of the proximal end portion. 
     
     
         16 . The medical device of  claim 11 , wherein the shaft member includes a tip that is configured to engage a tissue anchor. 
     
     
         17 . A method of placing a medical device within a body of a patient, comprising:
 inserting a tissue anchor into the body of the patient, the tissue anchor having a first portion and second portion; and   adjusting the second portion of the tissue anchor with respect to the first portion of the tissue anchor.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the rotating the second portion of the tissue anchor with respect to the first portion of the tissue anchor includes engaging the second portion of the tissue anchor with an insertion device that includes a shaft that is rotatably disposed within a cavity of an elongate member. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the rotating the second portion of the tissue anchor with respect to the first portion of the tissue anchor includes engaging a projection of a shaft of an insertion device with a slot defined by the second portion of the tissue anchor. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , the tissue anchor being a first tissue anchor, the method further comprising:
 inserting a second tissue anchor into the body of the patient, the second tissue anchor being coupled to a sling member.