An abrasion resistant prosthetic ligament or tendon includes a strap-like element formed of a stable biocompatible material which is attached at opposite ends to a patient. Attached to the strap-like element are one or more protective layers having sacrificial areas which are positioned in areas where abrasion between the prosthetic ligament and the patient's bones is anticipated. The sacrificial areas can be substantially abraided before any significant loss of strenth occurs, because the sacrificial areas are non-load-bearing, and protect the strap-like element from abrasion.
Herniation, including cystocele, rectocele and enterocystocele may be treated with prefabricated repair patches. The repair patches include a natural or synthetic biocompatible material having a shape adapted to support herniated tissue. The patch also contains a plurality of apertures positioned in the central plane of the patch which may permit ingrowth and may also be an attachment site for pexing sutures. The patch may be covered with coating to decrease the possibility of infection, and/or increase biocompatibility. The coating may also include one or more drugs, for example, an antibiotic, an immunosuppressant, and/or an anticoagulant.
The invention provides a driver and methods for advancing needles, cannulas, and other medical devices through the pubic bone. The driver may be used in connection with a driver frame assembly for proper positioning and stabilization of the driver, and with other devices for creating a cavity in the urethral floor and for positioning medical devices therein. The invention also provides simple connections for attaching a suture to a device within the cavity in the urethral floor or in the vagina, and also for attaching sutures to the pubic bone.
The present invention relates to prefabricated urethral suspension slings, methods of making the slings, methods of attaching suture to the slings, kits comprising the slings, and methods of using the slings to treat urinary incontinence. The slings comprise a biocompatible material having an elongate shape adapted for urethral suspension. The material has a central portion extending longitudinally between a first end portion and a second end portion. Each end portion of the sling contains at least one suture receiving site. The suture receiving sites are formed prior to surgery and may be reinforced through a variety of means. Sutures may be attached to the suture receiving sites during the manufacturing process or by the physician prior to or during surgery. Additionally, the end portions of the sling containing the suture receiving sites may be thicker than the central portion of the sling.
A modular prosthetic ligament is disclosed for replacing a natural ligament which joins and allows articulation between adjacent ends of two bones. The prosthetic ligament includes a first anchor element, for disposition in the adjacent end of one of the bones, a second anchor element for disposition in the adjacent end of the other bone, and a cable assembly for interconnecting the first and second anchor elements. The cable assembly includes a hollow housing, one side of which is detachably joinable to the first anchor element, and the other side of which includes a slot through which one end of a cable is threaded to extend into the housing hollow. A ball or cylinder is disposed in the hollow of the housing and is coupled to the cable so that when the cable moves in the slot, the ball rolls or moves in the hollow of the housing. The other end of the cable is coupled to the second anchor element.
