Medical slings
View Patent ↗A sling in accordance with the invention includes a synthetic material and a non-synthetic material positioned adjacent thereto. The non-synthetic material may be wrapped around or may be attached to the synthetic material. Additionally, the non-synthetic material may include slits. Methods for making such slings are also described.
1. A sling for use in a medical application, comprising:
a sheet comprising a synthetic material and including a first end portion and a second end portion, the second end portion disposed opposite and away from the first end portion along a first axis and a first side and a second side, the second side disposed opposite and away from the first side by a distance and along a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis and that intersects the first axis at substantially the midpoint of the first axis, the sheet including a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; and
a layer of non-synthetic material extending over at least a portion of the first surface of the sheet and at least a portion of the second surface of the sheet, a first portion of the layer of non-synthetic material being coupled to a second portion of the layer of non-synthetic material such that the non-synthetic material is movable with respect to the synthetic material.
2. The sling of claim 1 wherein the non-synthetic material is wrapped around at least a portion of the sheet.
3. The sling of claim 1 wherein the non-synthetic material is free floating about the sheet.
4. The sling of claim 1 wherein the synthetic material is selected from the group consisting of nylon, polyethylene, polyester, polypropylene, fluoropolymers, and combinations thereof.
5. The sling of claim 1 wherein the non-synthetic material is disposed adjacent to a urethra when placed within a body of a patient.
6. The sling of claim 1 wherein the non-synthetic material can extend to each side of an endopelvic fascia when placed within a body of a patient.
7. The sling of claim 1 wherein the non-synthetic material is about 4 cm to about 10 cm in length along the first axis of the sheet.
8. The sling of claim 1 wherein the non-synthetic material is selected from the group consisting of bovine, porcine, ovine, equine, human cadaveric, and tissue-engineered tissues.
9. The sling of claim 1 wherein the non-synthetic material is capable of remodeling into a healthy layer of tissue.
10. The sling of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of at least one of the first side and the second side is tanged.
11. The sling of claim 1 wherein the sheet comprises fibers selected from the group consisting of colored, radiopaque, and combinations thereof.
12. The sling of claim 1 wherein the sheet is of a type selected from the group consisting of woven, knitted, felted, and combinations thereof.
13. The sling of claim 1 wherein the sheet comprises a coating.
14. The sling of claim 13 wherein the coating comprises a pharmaceutical for delivery to a patient when the sling is implanted in a body of the patient.
15. A sling for use in a medical application, comprising:
a sheet comprising a synthetic material and including a first end portion and a second end portion, the second end portion disposed opposite and away from the first end portion along a first axis and a first side and a second side, the second side disposed opposite and away from the first side by a distance and along a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis and that intersects the first axis at substantially the midpoint of the first axis; and
a layer of non-synthetic material extending around the synthetic material, a first portion of the layer of non-synthetic material being coupled to a second portion of the layer of non-synthetic material such that the non-synthetic material is movable with respect to the synthetic material, the layer of non-synthetic material or the synthetic material defining slits.
16. The sling of claim 15 wherein at least some of the slits open upon exposure to a tensioning force applied during the medical application.
17. The sling of claim 15 wherein each of the slits comprises an aperture.
18. The sling of claim 17 wherein at least some of the apertures remain open after exposure to a tensioning force applied during the medical application.
19. The sling of claim 15 wherein the slits are disposed from the first side to the second side of the sheet substantially along the second axis.
20. A method of making a sling, comprising:
providing a sheet suitable for a medical application, the sheet comprising a synthetic material and including a first end portion and a second end portion, the second end portion disposed opposite and away from the first end portion along a first axis, the sheet also including a first side and a second side, the second side disposed opposite and away from the first side by a distance and along a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis, and that intersects the first axis at substantially the midpoint of the first axis, the sheet including a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; and
positioning a non-synthetic material adjacent to at least a portion of the sheet, the non-synthetic material being coupled to at least a portion of the first surface of the sheet and to at least a portion of the second surface of the sheet, wherein the non-synthetic material is wrapped around the portion of the sheet,
wherein the non-synthetic material is free floating about the sheet.
21. The method of claim 20 wherein the non-synthetic material completely encompasses the portion of the sheet.