Abstract: A ligament carrier and suturing device (20) comprising an elongate shaft member having a distal end and a proximal end. A needle carrier (40) is located at or adjacent the distal end of said elongate shaft member, said needle carrier comprising a rigid arcuate tooth member and having a first end and a second end and being pivotable at the first end about an axis which lies transverse to the longitudinal axis of the shaft member (30), the needle carrier adapted to carry a needle (80) with a suture (90) attached thereto. A needle capture means (100) is located on the shaft member, said needle capture device being adapted to engage with and capture needle carried by arcuate tooth. An operating means (50) coupled to the needle carrier and operable to cause the arcuate tooth member to pivot through an arc so that the needle engages with and is captured by the capture device, the operating means being operable from a location at or adjacent said proximal end of the shaft member.

Abstract: A device (10) for delivery and deployment of an elongate web into a patient, the device comprising a generally elongate carrier member (20) adapted to be inserted into a body cavity or tissue of a patient, the carrier member having a proximal end (23) and a distal end (21), and a passage (28) extending along the carrier member at least part way along its length; and an elongate deployment member (30) having a distal end (32) and a proximal end (34) and being shaped and configured to be located in the passage and to be moved axially along the passage from a position adjacent the proximal end of the carrier member. A web is able to be housed in said passage when said deployment member is located in the passage and deployed from the passage into a patient with axial movement of the deployment member relative to the carrier member.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming an artificial tie or ligament between different internal parts within a mammalian body, the apparatus comprising a strip (10) of preferably mesh type fabric formed of a material which is suitable for remaining in the body, and a drawstring (12) which is looped between different points along the length of the strip (10). By drawing the drawstring (12) the length of the strip (10) can be reduced. Opposite ends of the strip (11, 13) are in use attached to the different internal parts, and then those parts can be pulled together by applying tension to the drawstring (12), and once the length of the strip (10) has been reduced, tying off the drawstring (12) to hold the strip (10) in its reduced length condition. The apparatus is specifically useful for use in a in a method of treating vault or vaginal prolapse. The invention extends to a method of treating vault or vaginal prolapse.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming an artificial tie or ligament between different internal parts within a mammalian body, the apparatus comprising a strip (10) of preferably mesh type fabric formed of a material which is suitable for remaining in the body, and a drawstring (12) which is looped between different points along the length of the strip (10). By drawing the drawstring (12) the length of the strip (10) can be reduced. Opposite ends of the strip (11, 13) are in use attached to the different internal parts, and then those parts can be pulled together by applying tension to the drawstring (12), and once the length of the strip (10) has been reduced, tying off the drawstring (12) to hold the strip (10) in its reduced length condition. The apparatus is specifically useful for use in a method of treating vault or vaginal prolapse. The invention extends to a method of treating vault or vaginal prolapse.

Abstract: The invention provides a surgical instrument for inserting an elongate element into a human patient. In the preferred form of the invention the instrument has a curved hollow shaft defining an arc corresponding to the general curvature of a passage between the anterior vaginal wall and the abdomen of a female patient and having a cutting tip at one end and a handle at the other end. An elongate threading element is used draw a filamentary element through the shaft. Once the filamentary element is in position the shaft is removed from the patient, leaving the element in position. The instrument is preferably used to insert a U-shaped loop of filamentary material into the patient which passes around the patient's urethra and helps the patient improve her urinary control.

Abstract: The invention provides a surgical instrument for inserting an elongate element into a human patient. In the preferred form of the invention the instrument has a curved hollow shaft defining an arc corresponding to the general curvature of a passage between the anterior vaginal wall and the abdomen of a female patient and having a cutting tip at one end and a handle at the other end. An elongate threading element is used draw a filamentary element through the shaft. Once the filamentary element is in position the shaft is removed from the patient, leaving the element in position. The instrument is preferably used to insert a U-shaped loop of filamentary material into the patient which passes around the patient's urethra and helps the patient improve her urinary control.