Conductive and degradable implant for pelvic tissue treatment

Abstract

Described is a pelvic implant comprising a biodegradable conductive mesh. The mesh can include biodegradable and electrically conductive polymer and can be stimulated with a current to generate an electric field to promote an improved tissue response following placement of the implant. The invention also describes methods and systems including the pelvic implant comprising a biodegradable conductive mesh for the treatment of pelvic floor conditions. Implants of the invention provide benefits relating to improved tissue integration into the mesh, resulting in pelvic tissue reconstruction. Tissue reconstruction and elimination of the mesh materials can lead to a better clinical outcome for the patient.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An implant configured for the placement at a pelvic floor tissue, the implant comprising an electrically conductive and biodegradable mesh. 
     
     
         2 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the biodegradable mesh comprises a biodegradable elongate structural feature selected from the group consisting of a monofilament, multifilament, and a yarn of a woven mesh, or a crosspiece of a non-woven, molded mesh. 
     
     
         3 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the biodegradable elongate structural feature of the mesh comprises a biodegradable polymer selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polyhydroxyalkanoates, polyorthoesters, polyalkeneanhydrides, and polyanhydrides. 
     
     
         4 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the wherein the elongate structural feature of the mesh comprises a biodegradable polyester selected from the group consisting of poly(D,L-lactide), poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide), and poly(e-caprolactone-D,L-lactide). 
     
     
         5 . The implant of  claim 4 , wherein the biodegradable elongate structural feature has a cross-sectional area in the range 75 μm 2  to about 0.05 mm 2 . 
     
     
         6 . The implant of  claim 2  wherein the biodegradable elongate structural feature is in the form of a monofilament. 
     
     
         7 . The implant of  claim 6  wherein the monofilament has a diameter in the range of 10 μm to about 250 μm. 
     
     
         8 . The implant of  claim 2 , wherein the mesh comprises a woven structure. 
     
     
         9 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the mesh comprises a non-woven molded structure. 
     
     
         10 . The implant of  claim 1  wherein the mesh comprises an electrically conductive polymer. 
     
     
         11 . The implant of  claim 10  wherein the electrically conductive polymer is present on the surface of the biodegradable elongate structural feature, or incorporated within material of biodegradable elongate structural feature. 
     
     
         12 . The implant of  claim 10  wherein the electrically conductive polymer is present as a thin coating on all or a portion of the surface of the biodegradable elongate structural feature. 
     
     
         13 . The implant of  claim 10  wherein the electrically conductive polymer is selected from the group consisting of poylaniline, polypyrrole and polythiophene. 
     
     
         14 . The implant of  claim 10  wherein the electrically conductive polymer comprises polypyrrole. 
     
     
         15 . The implant of  claim 10  wherein the electrically conductive polymer comprises poylaniline. 
     
     
         16 . A system for the treatment of pelvic floor tissues, the system comprising an implant configured for the placement at a pelvic floor tissue, the implant comprising an electrically conductive and biodegradable mesh, and an electrical stimulator unit capable of generating a current through the mesh. 
     
     
         17 . A method for the treatment of pelvic floor tissues, the method comprising steps of
 (a) placing an implant at a pelvic floor tissue, the implant comprising an electrically conductive and biodegradable mesh;   (b) generating a current through the mesh to promote a tissue healing response; and   (c) allowing the biodegradable mesh to degrade at the site of placement.