Minimally invasive medical implant and insertion device and method for using the same

1. An implant for use in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence in a patient, comprising:

an implantable, elongated tape having a multiplicity of openings formed through the thickness thereof, the tape having a first end region and a second end region longitudinally opposite the first end region; and

first and second bio-absorbable fixation elements substantially surrounding the first and second end regions of the tape respectively, each bio-absorbable fixation element having a tissue adherence property greater than that of the tape, and having a substantially rectangular, planar configuration without physical projections extending outwardly therefrom, wherein each fixation element is comprised of a fleece material fabricated from a composite of a first polymer and a second polymer, the first polymer being prepared from monomers selected from the group of lactide and glycolide, and the second polymer being a poly(p-dioxanone) polymer, rich in poly(p-dioxanone).

2. The implant according to claim 1 , wherein the fixation elements have an outermost width substantially equal to a width of the tape.

3. The implant according to claim 1 , wherein the implant has a length of approximately 5 to 10 centimeters.

4. The implant according to claim 1 , wherein the tape is comprised of a polypropylene mesh or netting.

5. The implant according to claim 1 , wherein the first polymer is 10/90 poly(L(−)-lactide-co-glycolide), and the second polymer is poly(p-dioxanone).

6. The implant according to claim 5 , wherein the first polymer is 95/5 poly(L(−)-lactide-co-glycolide), and the second polymer is poly(p-dioxanone).

7. The implant according to claim 1 , wherein the fixation elements are comprised of a fleece made from polyglactin 910 and poly-p-dioxanone yarn.

8. A method of implanting an implant in a patient for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an implant including an implantable, elongated tape portion having a multiplicity of openings formed through the thickness thereof, and having a first end region and a second end region longitudinally opposite the first end, and first and second bio-compatible fixation elements attached to the first and second end regions of the tape respectively, each bio-compatible fixation element being comprised of a fleece material having a tissue adherence property greater than that of the tape;

making an incision in the vaginal wall of the patient;

inserting the first fixation element and attached tape through the incision and into an obturator tissue of the patient on one lateral side of the urethra and without exiting the body;

inserting the second fixation element and attached tape through the incision and into an obturator tissue of the patient and on an opposite lateral side of the urethra without exiting the body such that the tape forms a loop partially around the urethra to provide support for the urethra; and

leaving the implant implanted in the body of the patient.

9. An implant for medical procedures, comprising:

a mesh structure having a multiplicity of openings formed through the thickness thereof, the mesh structure having at least a first connection region and a second connection region; and

at least a first bio-absorbable fixation element substantially surrounding the first connection region, the at least one bio-absorbable fixation element having a tissue adherence property greater than that of the mesh, and having a substantially rectangular, planar configuration without physical projections extending outwardly therefrom, wherein the at least one fixation element is comprised of a fleece material fabricated from a composite of a first polymer and a second polymer, the first polymer being prepared from monomers selected from the group of lactide and glycolide, and the second polymer being a poly(p-dioxanone) polymer, rich in poly(p-dioxanone).

10. The implant according to claim 9 , wherein the at least one fixation element has an outermost width substantially equal to a width of the tape.

11. The implant according to claim 9 , wherein the implant has a length of approximately 5 to 10 centimeters.

12. The implant according to claim 9 , wherein the tape is comprised of a polypropylene mesh or netting.

13. The implant according to claim 9 , wherein the first polymer is 10/90 poly(L(−)-lactide-co-glycolide), and the second polymer is poly(p-dioxanone).

14. The implant according to claim 13 , wherein the first polymer is 95/5 poly(L(−)-lactide-co-glycolide), and the second polymer is poly(p-dioxanone).

15. The implant according to claim 9 , wherein the at least one fixation element is comprised of a fleece made from polyglactin 910 and poly-p-dioxanone yarn.

16. The implant according to claim 9 , having a second bio-absorbable fixation element substantially surrounding the second connection region, the second bio-absorbable fixation element having a tissue adherence property greater than that of the mesh, and having a substantially rectangular, planar configuration without physical projections extending outwardly therefrom.