Method and apparatus for adjustable sling for treatment of urinary stress incontinence

Abstract

One embodiment of the present subject matter includes an implantable, adjustable sling for a body which includes an implantable sling cup connected to a first strap and a second strap, the first strap and the second strap adapted to be anchored within the body and at least one adjustable element forming an integral portion of the first strap.

1 . An implantable, adjustable sling for a body, comprising:
 an implantable sling cup connected to a first strap and a second strap, the first strap and the second strap adapted to be anchored within the body; and   at least one adjustable element forming an integral portion of the first strap, the at least one adjustable element including a flowable material adapted for adjustment of the adjustable element.   
   
   
       2 . The implantable device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one adjustable element is attached to a septum. 
   
   
       3 . The implantable device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one adjustable element is connected to a self sealing port via a conduit. 
   
   
       4 . The implantable device of  claim 3 , wherein the adjustable element is adapted for adjustment by connection of the self sealing port to a source of the flowable material. 
   
   
       5 . The implantable device of  claim 3 , wherein the self sealing port comprises a septum. 
   
   
       6 . The implantable, adjustable sling of  claim 1 , further comprising an anchoring system connected to the first strap and the second strap. 
   
   
       7 . The implantable, adjustable sling of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one adjustable element comprises a conduit and a port. 
   
   
       8 . The implantable, adjustable sling of  claim 1 , further comprising attachment tabs adapted for connecting the implantable sling cup to the first strap and the second strap. 
   
   
       9 . A method for postoperative adjustment of a sling for coapting a urethra, comprising:—
 adjusting at least one of one or more adjustable elements to change position of the urethra; and   adjusting coaptation of the urethra by adjusting one or more expandable elements of a sling cup implanted adjacent the urethra, the adjusting coaptation including adding a flowable material to, or withdrawing the flowable material from, the one or more expandable elements.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , comprising changing a length of the sling. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein adjusting the at least one of the one or more adjustable elements comprises adjusting lift and support of a bladder by adjusting the sling tension to provide proper bladder placement. 
   
   
       12 . An implantable device for use in a body having a urethra, comprising:
 an anchoring system;   a first strap connected to the anchoring system;   a second strap connected to the anchoring system.   an implantable sling cup coupled between the first strap and the second strap, the implantable sling cup including a first expandable element adapted to coapt the urethra.   
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the anchoring system comprises a first anchor connected to the first strap and a second anchor connected to the second strap. 
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the anchoring system comprises an anchor connected to the first strap and the second strap. 
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 12 , comprising:
 a first self sealing port; and   a first conduit in fluid communication with the first expandable element, the first conduit terminating in the first self sealing port,   wherein the first expandable element includes a balloon having a size adjustable by adding a flowable material to the first self sealing port or withdrawing the flowable material from the first self sealing port.   
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the self sealing port comprises a septum. 
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein implantable sling cup comprises a plurality of expandable elements adapted to coapt the urethra, the plurality of expandable elements including the first expandable elements. 
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the first conduit is in fluid communication with all expandable elements of the plurality of expandable elements. 
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 17 , comprising:
 a plurality of self sealing ports; and   a plurality of conduits each in fluid communication with an expandable element of the plurality of expandable elements, the conduits of the plurality of conduits each terminating in a self sealing port of the plurality of self sealing ports,   wherein the expandable elements of the plurality of expandable elements each include a balloon having a size adjustable by adding a flowable material to a self sealing port of the plurality of self sealing ports or withdrawing the flowable material from a self sealing port of the plurality of self sealing ports.   
   
   
       20 . A method for coaptation of a urethra in a body, comprising:
 adjusting a size of a first expandable element of an implantable sling cup anchored within the body using straps each connected between the implantable sling cup and an anchoring system by adding a flowable material to, or withdrawing the flowable material from, the first expandable element,   wherein the first expandable element is placed adjacent the urethra for adjustable coaptation of the urethra.   
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , comprising anchoring the implantable sling cup within the body using an each connected to one of the straps. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 20 , comprising anchoring the implantable sling cup within the body using an anchor connected to the straps. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 20 , comprising adding the flowable material to, or withdrawing the flowable material from, the first expandable element via a first conduit and a first self sealing port, the first conduit in fluid communication with the first expandable device and terminating in the first self sealing port. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , comprising adjusting a plurality of expandable elements of the implantable sling cup, the plurality of expandable elements including the first expandable element. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24 , comprising adjusting all expandable elements of the plurality expandable elements via the first conduit and the first self-sealing port. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 24 , comprising adjusting the plurality of expandable elements via a plurality of conduits and a plurality of self sealing ports, the conduits of the plurality of conduits each in fluid communication with an expandable device of the plurality of expandable devices and terminating in a self sealing port of the plurality of sealing ports.