Method of supporting a prolapsed vagina from inside of the vagina

Abstract

A method of treating a prolapsed vagina includes inserting a shell into a natural opening of the prolapsed vagina and locating the shell at an internal apex of the prolapsed vagina. The method includes attaching a first portion of an anchor to one of a ligament or a sacrum and attaching a second portion of the anchor to the shell, and maintaining the internal apex of the prolapsed vagina in a natural extended position with the anchor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of treating prolapse of a vagina, the method comprising:
 supporting a prolapsed vagina from inside of the vagina by inserting a shell into a natural opening of the vagina;   
       pressing the shell into contact with an interior portion of the vagina; and
 attaching a first portion of an anchor to one of a ligament and a sacrum inside of a pelvis and attaching a second portion of the anchor to the shell and supporting the prolapsed vagina relative to one of the ligament or the sacrum. 
 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising supporting the prolapsed vagina across an entirety of an interior apical surface of the vagina. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising pressing the shell into contact with an interior apical portion of the vagina associated with an apex of the vagina. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising inserting a hollow shell into the natural opening of the vagina. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising pressing a textured convex exterior apex of the shell into contact with the interior portion of the vagina. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising pressing a porous convex exterior apex of the shell into contact with the interior portion of the vagina. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising inserting a shell fabricated from collagen into the natural opening of the vagina. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising inserting a biodegradable shell into the natural opening of the vagina. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the shell comprises a skirt and a plug separate from the skirt, the method comprising:
 inserting the skirt into the natural opening of the vagina;   inserting the plug into the natural opening of the vagina;   pressing the skirt against the inside of the vagina with the plug; and   attaching the first portion of the anchor to one of the ligament and the sacrum inside of the pelvis and attaching the second portion of the anchor to the plug.   
     
     
         10 . A method of treating a prolapsed vagina, the method comprising:
 inserting a shell into a natural opening of the prolapsed vagina;   bringing the shell into contact with an interior portion of the prolapsed vagina;   attaching a first portion of an anchor to one of a ligament and a sacrum inside of a pelvis and attaching a second portion of the anchor to the shell; and   supporting the prolapsed vagina between the shell located inside of the vagina and the ligament.   
     
     
         11 . A method of treating a prolapsed vagina, the method comprising:
 inserting a shell into a natural opening of the prolapsed vagina;   locating the shell at an internal apex of the prolapsed vagina;   attaching a first portion of an anchor to one of a ligament and a sacrum inside of a pelvis and attaching a second portion of the anchor to the shell; and   maintaining the internal apex of the prolapsed vagina in a natural extended position with the anchor.