Abstract: A minimally invasive approach to adjusting the amount of support on an anatomical structure. The methods and apparatus described include the use of a tape for supporting an anatomical structure. Adjustment may be achieved by use of bulking agents applied either directly to the site or into a containment device located within proximity of the tape and such that it works in conjunction with the tape to support the anatomic structure. An alternative approach utilizes mechanical means for adjusting the effective length of the supporting arms of the tape used to support the anatomical structure.

Abstract: A surgical suture system (1, 21, 41) is illustrated and described. The object, namely to permit simple correction of the suture course or of an incorrect position, is achieved by a suture system (1) with a needle-like applicator (2, 22, 42) having a tip (26, 50) in its front end area, with a surgical suture material (4, 24, 44) provided with barbs (6, 7, 28, 29, 47, 48) which, on one side, preferably point in one direction of action from a reference point (8, 30, 49) and, on the other side, point in the opposite direction of action from the reference point (8, 30, 49) and are designed to block a movement of body tissue (12) away from the reference point (8, 30, 49), and with a sheath (3, 23, 43) whose front end area starts from the rear end area of the applicator (2, 22, 42) and which surrounds the surgical suture material (4, 24, 44).

Abstract: In a system with a surgical needle and a handle, the surgical needle has in its proximal end-section, lying opposite the needle tip, a holding section (14), which is set up for insertion into the handle. The handle has a channel (32), set up for holding the holding section (14) of the surgical needle, and a locking device (50, 70) with a locking element (50) which is displaceable in longitudinal direction of the channel (32) from a locking position, in which the holding section (14) is fixed to the handle, into a release position, in which the holding section (14) can be pulled out from the channel (32).

Abstract: A medical device including an implant and inserter and a method for using the same. One embodiment includes an implant for implantation within a patient, and a first inserter for inserting the implant. The first inserter has a distal end region including a tissue penetrating distal tip, a proximal end region, a capture element located at the distal end region, and an implant holding element having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end is removably received within the capture element, and the implant holding element further is movably coupled to the first inserter at a first location proximal of the capture element. The implant holding element extends from the first location at which it is movably coupled to the first inserter, and subsequently through the implant before being removably received within the capture element to thereby removably secure the implant to the insertion device.

Abstract: A minimally invasive approach to adjusting the amount of support on an anatomical structure. The methods and apparatus described include the use of a tape for supporting an anatomical structure. Adjustment may be achieved by use of bulking agents applied either directly to the site or into a containment device located within proximity of the tape and such that it works in conjunction with the tape to support the anatomic structure. An alternative approach utilizes mechanical means for adjusting the effective length of the supporting arms of the tape used to support the anatomical structure.

Abstract: A medical device including an implant and inserter and a method for using the same. One embodiment includes an implant for implantation within a patient, and a first inserter for inserting the implant. The first inserter has a distal end region including a tissue penetrating distal tip, a proximal end region, a capture element located at the distal end region, and an implant holding element having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end is removably received within the capture element, and the implant holding element further is movably coupled to the first inserter at a first location proximal of the capture element. The implant holding element extends from the first location at which it is movably coupled to the first inserter, and subsequently through the implant before being removably received within the capture element to thereby removably secure the implant to the insertion device.

Abstract: A strip-like implant (1) has a tape (2) with a first end (4) and with a second end (6). In the area of at least one of the two ends (4, 6), a disk-like application aid (10) aligned with the plane of the tape (2) is arranged. The disk-like application aid can also be constructed in the shape of two jaws of a surgical gripping instrument which is set up to grip an implant tape.

Abstract: In a system with a surgical needle and a handle, the surgical needle has in its proximal end-section, lying opposite the needle tip, a holding section (14), which is set up for insertion into the handle. The handle has a channel (32), set up for holding the holding section (14) of the surgical needle, and a locking device (50, 70) with a locking element (50) which is displaceable in longitudinal direction of the channel (32) from a locking position, in which the holding section (14) is fixed to the handle, into a release position, in which the holding section (14) can be pulled out from the channel (32).

Abstract: A strip-like implant (1) has a tape (2) with a first end (4) and with a second end (6). In the area of at least one of the two ends (4, 6), a disk-like application aid (10) aligned with the plane of the tape (2) is arranged. The disk-like application aid can also be constructed in the shape of two jaws of a surgical gripping instrument which is set up to grip an implant tape.