System for delivering anchors for treating incontinence
View Patent ↗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.
1. A method for treating incontinence, comprising:
implanting a first anchor;
implanting a second anchor with a connector between the first and second anchors, wherein the first anchor, second anchor, and connector are implanted exterior to a prostate gland;
connecting the first anchor, second anchor, and connector to define a first anchor assembly; and
stabilizing a position of the urethra without maintaining compression on prostatic tissue during the time the position of the urethra is stabilized.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising inserting an anchor delivery device within a urethral lumen and actuating the anchor delivery device.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein stabilizing a position of the urethra comprises repositioning then stabilizing the position of the urethra.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein stabilizing a position of the urethra comprises stabilizing the position of the urethra without repositioning the urethra.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein connecting the first anchor, second anchor, and connector to define a first anchor assembly provides lateral forces to the urethra to offset changes in intra-abdominal pressures in the urethra to treat incontinence.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising configuring the connector through anterior periurethral fascia.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising configuring the first anchor assembly and a second anchor assembly such that connectors thereof are positioned against a prostate capsule.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the connectors of the first and second anchor assemblies cross.
9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising placing a plurality of anchor assemblies spaced along a longitudinal length of the urethra.
10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising assembling the anchor assembly in situ.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the anchor assembly has a length, further comprising determining the length in situ.
12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising configuring the connector so that upon implantation the connector assumes a non-linear trajectory through the tissue defining the urethra.