System for delivering anchors for treating incontinence

Abstract

A system and associated method for manipulating tissues and anatomical or other structures in medical applications for the purpose of treating incontinence. In one aspect, the system includes a delivery device configured to deploy and implant anchor devices for distracting and/or retracting the urethra or tissues proximate thereto, or to maintain a position of a urethra in response to intra-abdominal pressures.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for treating incontinence, comprising:
 passing a first anchor through anterior periurethral fascia and implanting the first anchor, wherein the first anchor is connected to a tensioning connector;   applying tension to the tensioning connector; and   implanting a second anchor and connecting the second anchor to the tensioning connector, wherein the tension along the tensioning connector lifts a portion of a urethra towards a portion of the abdomen thereby reducing incontinence.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tensioning connector does not pass through a urethral lumen when the tensioning connector is in position to lift the portion of the urethra towards the portion of the abdomen. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first anchor is implanted in lateral tissue. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first anchor is implanted in bone. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second anchor is implanted in lateral tissue. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second anchor is implanted in bone. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first anchor comprises a tubular body portion and a tail portion. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second anchor comprises a slotted portion. 
     
     
         9 . A method for treating incontinence, comprising:
 passing a first anchor through anterior periurethral fascia and implanting the first anchor, wherein the first anchor is connected to a first tensioning connector;   passing a second anchor into a portion of the urethral lumen and connecting the second anchor to the first tensioning connector;   passing a third anchor through anterior periurethral fascia and implanting the third anchor, wherein the third anchor is connected to a second tensioning connector;   applying tension to the second tensioning connector; and   implanting a fourth anchor in an area proximate the first anchor or the first tensioning connector and connecting the fourth anchor to the second tensioning connector, wherein the tension along the second tensioning connector lifts a portion of a urethra towards a portion of the abdomen thereby reducing incontinence.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising passing a fifth anchor through anterior periurethral fascia and implanting the fifth anchor, wherein the fifth anchor is connected to a third tensioning connector; applying tension to the third tensioning connector; and implanting a sixth anchor in an area proximate the first anchor or the first tensioning connector and connecting the sixth anchor to the third tensioning connector, wherein the tension along the third tensioning connector lifts a portion of a urethra towards a portion of the abdomen thereby reducing incontinence. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the third anchor is implanted in lateral tissue. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the third anchor is implanted in bone. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the fifth anchor is implanted in lateral tissue. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the fifth anchor is implanted in bone. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the first and third anchors comprise a tubular body portion and a tail portion. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the second and fourth anchors comprise a slotted portion. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the fifth anchor comprises a tubular body portion and a tail portion. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the sixth anchor comprises a slotted portion.