Surgical instrument and method for treating female urinary incontinence

Abstract

Described is a surgical instrument and method for treating female urinary stress incontinence. The instrument includes a curved needle-like element defining in part a curved shaft having a distal end and a proximal end. The diameter of the needle decreases from the proximal end to the distal end, and the needle terminates in a blunt tip. A tape attaches to the needle for implanting into the lower abdomen of a female to provide support to the urethra. The tape may be made from synthetic and natural materials. The needle and tape may also be modified to allow the surgeon to attach and detach the tape during the surgical operation.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A surgical instrument for treating female urinary stress incontinence comprising: 
 a) a tape for implanting into the lower abdomen of a female to provide support to the urethra;    b) a removable sheath surrounding the tape; and    c) a curved needle-like element defining in part a curved shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, and means at the distal end for attaching to the tape.    
     
     
         2 . The surgical instrument of    claim 1    wherein the diameter of the needle varies from the distal end to the proximal end.  
     
     
         3 . The surgical instrument of    claim 2    wherein the distal end of the needle has a diameter from about 3 mm to about 5 mm.  
     
     
         4 . The surgical instrument of    claim 3    wherein the proximal end of the needle has a diameter from about 5 mm to about 6 mm.  
     
     
         5 . The surgical instrument of    claim 1    wherein the tape comprises connecting means and the needle comprises attaching means for detachably accepting the connecting means.  
     
     
         6 . The surgical instrument of    claim 1    wherein the connecting means is a tab-like element and the attaching means is a slot.