Apparatuses for the amelioration of urinary incontinence in females

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9339361-B2
Application number	US-201414532426-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 4, 2014
Priority date	Jul 16, 2006
Publication date	May 17, 2016
Grant date	May 17, 2016

Abstract

An apparatus for treating urinary incontinence, comprising: a node; a support section adapted for providing urethral support attached to the node; and, an anchoring section adapted for resisting movement of the apparatus attached to the node opposite the support section. Optionally, the support section is adapted to treat incontinence according to at least one of: SUTFS, colpo-elevation or colpo-distension.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An apparatus for treating urinary incontinence, comprising:
a plurality of interconnected pieces of tubing characterized by a proximal section, a midsection and a distal section and aligned to provide both anchoring for the apparatus in a vagina and support of a urethra by radiating the proximal and distal sections outwards from the midsection; a device for interconnecting the plurality of pieces of tubing together comprised of an anchor base provided with a plurality of grooves for situating the plurality of pieces of tubing therein thereby connecting the plurality of pieces of tubing together at the proximal section of each piece of tubing and a support base spaced apart from the anchor base and provided with a plurality of grooves for situating the plurality of pieces of tubing therein thereby connecting the plurality of pieces of tubing together at the midsection of each piece of tubing, wherein a first portion of each of the plurality of pieces of tubing extends beyond the anchor base and in a direction away from the support base and wherein a second portion of each of the plurality of pieces of tubing extends beyond the support base and in a direction away from the anchor base.

2. A device according to claim 1 , further comprising an expansion mechanism including a bar for each tube and a hub from which the bars radiate, wherein each bar is provided with a distal end adapted to engage its respective tube.

3. A process for manufacturing an apparatus for treating urinary incontinence comprising the steps of:
interconnecting a plurality of pieces of tubing with an anchor base and a support base wherein each of the anchor base and the support base is provided with a plurality of grooves for situating the plurality of pieces tubing therein thereby interconnecting the plurality of pieces of tubing together and wherein the support base is spaced apart from the anchor base and further wherein a first portion of each of the plurality of pieces tubing extends beyond the anchor base and in a direction away from the support base and wherein a second portion of each of the plurality of pieces of tubing extends beyond the support base and in a direction away from the anchor base; and,
aligning each piece of tubing to provide both anchoring for the apparatus in a vagina and support of a urethra.

Assignees

• Kimberly Clark Co

Inventors

• Ziv Elan
• Gilan Jacob
• Sinai Nir
• Bauder Idan
• Tune Michal
• Eliachar Eliahu
• Grinberg Alex
• Shabat Roni

Classifications

• A61F2250/0071

  breakable or frangible · CPC title

• A61F2/0045

  Support slings · CPC title

• Y10T29/49826

  Assembling or joining · CPC title

• A61F2/0004 Primary

  Closure means for urethra or rectum, i.e. anti-incontinence devices or support slings against pelvic prolapse · CPC title

• A61F2/005 Primary

  with pressure applied to urethra by an element placed in the vagina · CPC title