Implants, tools, and methods for treatments of pelvic conditions

Abstract

Described are various embodiments of surgical procedures, systems, implants, devices, tools, and methods, useful for treating pelvic conditions in a male or female, the pelvic conditions including incontinence (various forms such as fecal incontinence, stress urinary incontinence, urge incontinence, mixed incontinence, etc.), vaginal prolapse (including various forms such as enterocele, cystocele, rectocele, apical or vault prolapse, uterine descent, etc.), and other conditions caused by muscle and ligament weakness, the devices and tools including devices and tools for anchoring an implant to tissue.

1 . An implant system for treating a pelvic condition, the implant system comprising:
 an implant member; and   at least one tension indicator operatively coupled to the implant member.   
     
     
         2 . The implant system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one tension indicator is one of a pulse oximeter and a pH measurement device. 
     
     
         3 . The implant system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one tension indicator comprises a breakable capsule that comprises a detectable material within an outer covering. 
     
     
         4 . The implant system of  claim 3 , further comprising a suture functionally attached to the capsule so that a predetermined increase in tension applied to the suture will cause the outer covering of the capsule to break and release the detectable material. 
     
     
         5 . The implant system of  claim 3 , wherein the capsule comprises a bio-absorbable material. 
     
     
         6 . The implant system of  claim 3 , wherein the detectable material comprises a detectable fluid. 
     
     
         7 . The implant system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one tension indicator comprises an indexing strip comprising multiple indicators spaced from each other, wherein the tension indicator comprises a relaxed condition in which each indicator is spaced from an adjacent indicator by a first distance, wherein the tension indicator comprises a loaded condition in which each indicator is spaced from an indicator by a second distance that is larger than the first distance, and wherein the tension indicator is extendable to correspond with a predetermined amount of tension placed on the implant member. 
     
     
         8 . The implant system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one tension indicator comprises at least one breakable filament. 
     
     
         9 . The implant system of  claim 8 , further comprising a plurality of filaments spaced from each other across a width of the implant member, wherein at least one of the filaments has a different strength from at least one other filament. 
     
     
         10 . The implant system of  claim 8 , comprising at least two breakable filaments extending longitudinally along at least a portion of a length of the implant member, wherein each of the filaments is spaced from at least one adjacent filament in a direction of a width of the implant member. 
     
     
         11 . The implant system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one tension indicator comprises a plurality of filaments spaced from each other along a length of the implant member, in combination with a meter for measuring and monitoring the positions of the filaments. 
     
     
         12 . The implant system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one tension indicator comprises one of a strain gauge and a flex circuit. 
     
     
         13 . An implant system for treating a pelvic condition, the implant system comprising:
 an implant member; and   at least one tension indicator comprising at least one aperture extending through the implant member, wherein the at least one aperture comprises a first configuration in which the aperture has a first shape, and a second configuration in which the aperture has a second shape.   
     
     
         14 . The implant system of  claim 13 , wherein the implant member is in a relaxed state when the at least one aperture is in the first configuration, and wherein the implant member is under tension when the at least one aperture is in the second configuration. 
     
     
         15 . The implant system of  claim 14 , wherein a length of the at least one aperture when in the first configuration is smaller than a length of the at least one aperture when in the second configuration. 
     
     
         16 . The implant system of  claim 13 , further comprising multiple apertures. 
     
     
         17 . An implant system for treating a pelvic condition, the implant system comprising:
 an implant member comprising first and second opposite edges spaced from each other across a width of the implant member, first and second opposite ends extending between the first and second edges, and a central portion positioned between and spaced from the first and second opposite ends;   a first suture comprising a portion that is operatively attached to the implant member adjacent to the first edge; and   a second suture comprising a portion that is operatively attached to the implant member adjacent to the second edge.   
     
     
         18 . The implant system of  claim 17 , wherein the first suture comprises a first end positioned within a length of the central portion of the implant member and a second end spaced externally from the first end of the implant member, and wherein the second suture comprises a first end positioned within a length of the central portion of the implant member and a second end spaced externally from the second end of the implant member. 
     
     
         19 . The implant system of  claim 18 , wherein applying tension to the first and second sutures comprises pulling the second ends of the first and second sutures in opposite directions relative a length of the implant member. 
     
     
         20 . The implant system of  claim 19 , further comprising a predetermined tension level associated with the movement of the first and second sutures in opposite directions.