A medical sling made from material that is suitably shaped for use in a medical application has sides, portions of which are smoothed to prevent abrasion of surrounding tissue.
1. A sling for use in a medical application comprising:
a first end and a second end, the second end being disposed opposite and away from the first end along a longitudinal axis;
a first side and a second side extending between the first and second ends of the sling and each side having at least one tanged section;
an envelope at least partially surrounding the sling; and
at least one non-tanged section.
2. The sling of claim 1 , further comprising at least one non-tanged section.
3. The sling of claim 1 , wherein the sling is coated with a pharmaceutical.
4. The sling of claim 1 , wherein the sling is made of non-wettable material.
5. The sling of claim 1 , wherein the sling is treated with a substance that is wettable.
6. The sling of claim 1 , wherein the sling is treated with a hydrophobic coating on at least one surface.
7. A sling for use in a medical application comprising:
a first end and a second end, the second end being disposed opposite and away from the first end along a longitudinal axis;
a first side and a second side extending between the first and second ends of the sling and each side having at least one tanged section; and
wherein the sling is octagonal, hexagonal, trapezoidal, or elliptical in shape.
8. A method of implanting a sling, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a sling comprising:
a first end and a second end, the second end being disposed opposite and away from the first end along a longitudinal axis;
a first side and a second side extending between the first and second ends of the sling and each side having at least one tanged section; and,
implanting the sling using a procedure selected from the group consisting of the transvaginal route, the transabdominal route, or a combined transvaginal and transabdominal route.
9. The method of claim 8 , whereon the sling further comprises at least one non-tanged section.
10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the sling is coated with a pharmaceutical.
11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the sling is made of non-wettable material.
12. The method of claim 8 , wherein the sling is treated with a substance that is wettable.
13. The method of claim 8 , wherein the sling is treated with a hydrophobic coating on at least one surface.
14. A sling for use in a medical application comprising:
a first end and a second end, the second end being disposed opposite and away from the first end along a longitudinal axis;
a first side and a second side extending between the first and second ends of the sling and each side having at least one tanged section; and
wherein the thickness of the sling varies at different locations along the sling.