Systems, devices and methods for minimally invasive pelvic surgery
The invention, in various embodiments, provides systems, devices, and methods for treating urinary incontinence. The invention also 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, an also for attaching sutures to the pubic bone.
1. A guide member placement device for inserting a guide member in a body tissue, comprising:
a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therethrough, said lumen adapted for receiving a guide member;
an engaging member being coupled to said distal end of said shaft, the engaging member being adapted for engaging with another engaging member of a guide member placement device;
a handle coupled to the shaft, the handle defining a lumen extending therethrough; and
a blunt dissector configured to be at least partially disposed within the handle.
2. The guide member placement device of claim 1 , wherein the blunt dissector includes a blunt dissention tip, the distal end of the shaft including the blunt dissention tip with a lumen extending therethrough.
3. The guide member placement device of claim 1 ,
wherein the blunt dissector is configured to extend from the shaft and configured to retract into the shaft.
4. The guide member placement device of claim 1 , wherein the engaging member is a male connector.
5. The guide member placement device of claim 1 , wherein the engaging member is a female connector.
6. The guide member placement device of claim 1 , wherein the shaft includes a curved portion.
7. The guide member placement device of claim 1 , further comprising a guide member removably positioned in the lumen of the shaft.
8. The guide member placement device of claim 7 , wherein the guide member includes a guidewire.
9. The guide member placement device of claim 7 , wherein the guide member includes a suture.
10. The guide member placement device of claim 1 , wherein the shaft includes a straight proximal section, a bent intermediate section and a distal section.