Abstract: A sling assembly for implantation in a patient to support an internal physiological structure is provided. The sling assembly includes a length of porous material having a generally longitudinal flat surface and tubular sleeves associated with each end of the porous material, each of the sleeves having an inner passage sized and configured to provide frictional sliding over outer surfaces of an insertion instrument. The sleeves may have multiple slots for passage of insertion instruments, and the sling assembly may be mounted on insertion instruments having various configurations. In general, the sleeve is mounted on a curved needle portion of an insertion instrument by passage of the needle portion through a slot in the sleeve.

Abstract: Kits and methods for implanting slings and other implantable materials for repair, reconstruction and repositioning of internal anatomical structures are provided. The kit comprises multiple different curved needle insertion instruments and a sling assembly that is mountable on multiple configurations of insertion instruments, permitting the medical professional to choose appropriate instruments and combinations for carrying out different interventional procedures for placement of the sling assembly.

Abstract: Insertion instruments for implanting various types of biocompatible slings and sling assemblies for repair, reconstruction and repositioning of internal anatomical structures are provided. In general, the insertion instruments have an a curved needle portion mounted at a distal end of a handle, wherein the handle has opposing side surfaces that are convexly raised with respect to adjacent grip surfaces, and each of the opposing side surfaces is provided with a recess having a generally thumb-like configuration positioned toward the center of the handle from the distal end of the handle.