Abstract: A method of treating a vaginal prolapse is provided. The method includes accessing a vaginal prolapse, inserting an implant comprising a knitted mesh into a patient, and securing the knitted mesh in place such that the implant supports the pelvic floor of the patient. The knitted mesh has a mass density of less than 20 g/m2.

Abstract: A method of treating a vaginal prolapse is provided. The method includes accessing a vaginal prolapse, inserting an implant comprising a knitted mesh into a patient, and securing the knitted mesh in place such that the implant supports the pelvic floor of the patient. The knitted mesh has a mass density of less than 20 g/m2.

Abstract: A system for supporting an anatomical structure of the pelvis includes a surgical implant for providing support to the anatomical structure of the pelvis. The surgical implant includes a first tissue anchor including a plurality of projections adapted for tissue fixation, a second tissue anchor including a plurality of projections adapted for tissue fixation, and a sub-urethral support having first and second ends, the first and second tissue anchors extending from the first and second ends of the sub-urethral support. The system also includes an introducer for delivering the first tissue anchor to a desired anchoring site of the pelvis.

Abstract: A surgical implant for treating female urinary incontinence. The implant comprises an elongate polymer material suburethral support having a length and a width, first and second elongate and porous polymer material suspending members having a length and a width extending from opposite ends of the suburethral support, and first and second polymer tissue anchors having conical tips and wings on the first and second suspending members. The width of the suspending members is less than the width of the suburethral support. The length of the second suspending member between the suburethral support and the second anchor is adjustable.

Abstract: A method for providing support to an anatomical structure of the pelvis includes making a vaginal incision for securing a support portion under a urethra of a patient, passing a narrowed portion of an introducer through an introducer aperture of a first soft tissue anchor, seating the first soft tissue anchor on the introducer, and inserting a second soft tissue anchor through the vaginal incision and pressing the second soft tissue anchor into tissue on a second side of the urethra such that a support portion is suspended from the first and second soft tissue anchors under the urethra without the first and second soft tissue anchors penetrating an abdominal wall of the patient.

Abstract: A method of treating urinary incontinence of a patient by introducing a surgical implant through a vaginal incision. The surgical implant includes a suburethral support having first and second suspending members and first and second tissue anchors. The width of each suspending member is less than the width of the suburethral support. Each tissue anchor has a conical tip and is coupled with a respective one of the first and second suspending members. The first and second tissue anchors are inserted into tissue on first and second sides, respectively, of a urethra of the patient without penetrating an abdominal wall. A position of the suburethral support relative to the patient's urethra is adjusted, including pulling the second suspending member through the patient's vagina to adjust the distance between the suburethral support and the second anchor, after which the distance between the suburethral support and the second anchor is fixed.

Abstract: A surgical implant suitable for treatment of hernias is provided. The implant comprises a mesh having a residual maximum mass density of 50 g/m2. The mesh comprises strands forming spaces and the strands comprise filaments forming pores. The spaces and pores are sized to minimise foreign body mass for implantation and to encourage integration of the implant. The mesh may be delivered using Dual Phase Technology™ for ease of handling, cutting and placement. The Dual Phase Technology™ may include encapsulation or coating with hydrogel.

Abstract: A surgical implant suitable for treatment of a prolapse is provided. The implant comprises a knitted mesh having a density of less than 20 g/m2. The implant is between about 1-10 cm wide and is configured to be implanted in a region of the prolapse. The prolapse can be an urethrocoele prolapse, cystocoele prolapse, vault prolapse, uterine prolapse, enterocoele prolapse, and rectocoele prolapse. The knitted mesh comprises biocompatible monofilaments formed from polypropylene and having a diameter of between about 0.02 mm to 0.15 mm. Openings are formed between the monofilaments. The knitted mesh is configured to be secured in place to treat the prolapse.

Abstract: A method of treating a vaginal prolapse is provided. The method includes accessing a vaginal prolapse, inserting an implant comprising a knitted mesh into a patient, and securing the knitted mesh in place such that the implant supports the pelvic floor of the patient. The knitted mesh has a mass density of less than 20 g/m2.

Abstract: A system for providing support to an anatomical structure of the pelvis includes first and second soft tissue anchors, a suburethral support, an introducer, and a filament. The first soft tissue anchor has a proximal end and a distal end and includes a base having a hollow tubular structure, a plurality of barbs, and a tip. The sub-urethral support portion has first and second ends, the first and second soft tissue anchors extending from the first and second ends of the sub-urethral support portion. The introducer has an elongate shaft and a handle, the elongate shaft having a proximal end at the handle and a distal end with an aperture extending through the distal end. The filament extends through the hollow tubular section of the first soft tissue anchor and through the aperture in the distal end of introducer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical implant and method for supporting the urethra, the implant comprising a suburethral support suspended between two soft tissue anchors that do not penetrate the lower abdominal wall and are attached at either side of the suburethral support. The soft tissue anchors retain each anchor in soft tissue, suspending each side of the suburethral support. The suburethral support passes under the urethra to support the urethra. The implant has uses including treating urinary incontinence and uterovaginal prolapse.

Abstract: A surgical implant for treating female urinary incontinence comprises a suburethral support and first and second polymer soft tissue anchors. The suburethral support has a first end portion and a second end portion located opposite the first end portion. Each of the first and second soft tissue anchors is connected to a respective one of the first and second opposite end portions of the suburethral support. The first and second anchors are configured to penetrate and retain in soft tissue. A length of the implant between the first and second soft tissue anchors is configured to allow the suburetnral support to be positioned below a urethra of a patient and to allow the anchors to be retained in soft tissue on first and second sides of the urethra without the anchors penetrating the abdominal wall.

Abstract: A surgical implant for supporting pelvic anatomy includes a first suspending member, a second suspending member, a first anchor, a second anchor, and a suburethral sling. The first and second suspending members have proximal and distal portions. The first anchor is connected to the distal portion of the first suspending member and the second anchor is connected to the distal portion of the second suspending member. The suburethral sling is configured to support a urethra of a patient and includes a first coupling mechanism configured to receive the proximal portion of the first suspending member and to releasably secure the proximal portion of the first suspending member to the suburethral sling.

Abstract: A system for supporting an anatomical structure of the pelvis includes a surgical implant for providing support to the anatomical structure of the pelvis. The surgical implant includes a first tissue anchor including a plurality of projections adapted for tissue fixation, a second tissue anchor including a plurality of projections adapted for tissue fixation, and a sub-urethral support having first and second ends, the first and second tissue anchors extending from the first and second ends of the sub-urethral support. The system also includes an introducer for delivering the first tissue anchor to a desired anchoring site of the pelvis.

Abstract: A method of treating urinary incontinence, the method including introducing a surgical implant through an incision made on an upper wall of a patient's vagina. The surgical implant includes a suburethral support, first and second suspending members, and first and second polymer tissue anchors. Each tissue anchor is coupled with a respective one of the first and second suspending members, wherein a distance between the suburethral support and the second anchor is adjustable. The first tissue anchor is inserted into tissue on a first side of a urethra of the patient without penetrating an abdominal wall. A position of the suburethral support is adjusted relative to the patient's urethra by pulling the second suspending member through the patient's vagina to adjust the distance between the suburethral support and the second anchor. And the distance between the suburethral support and the second anchor is fixed.

Abstract: A surgical implant for treating female urinary incontinence includes a suburethral support, first and second soft tissue anchors, and an elongated member. The first and second soft tissue anchors are connected to first and second opposite ends of the suburethral support, each anchor having a central portion, a proximal end, and a tip on a distal end of the anchor, and a plurality of projections extending from the central portion at longitudinally spaced locations along a length extending between the proximal and distal ends of the central portion. The elongated member extends between the proximal end of the first soft tissue anchor and the first end of the suburethral support to connect the anchor to the support and enable the position of the anchor with respect to the support to be adjusted.

Abstract: A method for attaching flexible material to soft tissue in a patient's body includes providing a soft tissue anchor formed from absorbable material. The anchor includes a central portion having proximal and distal ends, one or more tissue engaging members extending from the central portion, and a bore extending through the central portion between the proximal and distal ends. An introducer tool is provided and engaged with the soft tissue anchor, including inserting an elongated body of the introducer tool into the bore of the tissue anchor and positioning the tool with respect to the anchor with the point of the tool body extending beyond the distal end of the anchor central portion. After insertion, the soft tissue anchor is released from the introducer tool and the introducer tool is removed from the patient, including retracting the point of the tool body through the central portion of the anchor.

Abstract: A sling for treating urinary incontinence includes a suburethral support and first and second elongated suspending members. The suburethral support has opposite ends, is formed from a polymer and has first physical properties including a density, a length and a width. The first and second suspending members are formed from the same polymer as the suburethral support and have second physical properties including a density, a length and a width. The density of the suspending members is different than the density of the suburethral support. The first and second suspending members are each formed separately from and attached to one of the opposite ends of the suburethral support. The length of each of the suspending members is greater than the length of the suburethral support, and the width of each of the suspending members is less than the width of the suburethral support.

Abstract: A surgical implant for supporting pelvic anatomy includes a first fixing zone, a second fixing zone, and a supporting zone. The first fixing zone has a retaining portion that is absorbable and formed of a fiber entanglement and a mesh for anchoring the first fixing zone in soft tissues in a space defined by a pelvis. The second fixing zone has a retaining portion that is absorbable and formed of a fiber entanglement and a mesh for anchoring the second fixing zone in soft tissues in a space defined by a pelvis. The supporting zone is formed of a mesh and is interposed between the first and second fixing zones.

Abstract: A method for providing support to an anatomical structure of the pelvis includes making a vaginal incision for securing a support portion under a urethra of a patient, passing a narrowed portion of an introducer through an introducer aperture of a first soft tissue anchor, seating the first soft tissue anchor on the introducer, and inserting a second soft tissue anchor through the vaginal incision and pressing the second soft tissue anchor into tissue on a second side of the urethra such that a support portion is suspended from the first and second soft tissue anchors under the urethra without the first and second soft tissue anchors penetrating an abdominal wall of the patient.