[54] SURGICAL TENSION/PRESSURE MONITOR
[76] Inventor: Theodore V. Benderev, 26975
Magnolia Ct., Laguna Hills, Calif.
92653
[21] Appl. No.: 09/157,466
[22] Filed: Sep. 21, 1998
[51] Int. CI. A611- 2/00
[52] U.S. CI 600/37; 600/30
[58] Field of Search 600/29, 30, 37
[56] References Cited
PUBLICATIONS
In-ProbeTM Simple Urodynamics, [2 pages, undated], Influ-
ence, Inc. of San Francisco, California.
Eric S. Rovner, M.D. and Alan J. Wein, M.D., "Sling
Tension for Stress-Incontinence Surgery", Issues in Incon-
tinence, Fall 1997, vol. 3, No. 2, pp. 1,5.
"AMS Spincter 800 Urinary Prosthesis" American Medical
Systems / 1993 / 2 pages.
"Atlas of Transviginal Surgery" W.B. Saunders / Surgical
Therapy for Urinary Incontinence / 7 pages.
"Treatment of Female Incontinence Secondary to Urethral
Damage or Loss" by Jerry G. Blaivas, MD / Evaluation and
Treatment of Urinary Incontinence / May 1991 / 9 pages.
"Successful Pubovaginal Sling Surgery" by Jerry G. Blai-
vas, MD / Contemporary Urology / 2 pages.
Primary Examiner—Max Hindenburg
Assistant Examiner—Brian Szmal
Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Matthew A. Newboles
[57] ABSTRACT
A surgical tension/pressure monitor for measuring and indicating the degree of tension of a surgical sling, and in particular, a suburethral sling, as well as the pressure exerted thereby upon the urethra. In a first embodiment, the invention comprises a pressure sensor interposable between a suburethral sling and the urethra supported thereby. The pressure sensor is coupled to a meter that provides an indication as to the degree of tension in the sling and/or pressure exerted on the urethra, as well as provides an indication when such tension/pressure attains optimal levels that correlate with ideal surgical outcomes. In a second embodiment, the invention comprises a tension monitor that may be connected, via a suture, to either a respective one or both ends of a suburethral sling. The device may be utilized to manipulate the tension in such sling and enable the surgeon to secure such sling in a manner that causes the sling to maintain a desired tension and/or imparted desired urethral support. There is further provided devices and methods for measuring the positioning of the urethra, as well as intra-urethral pressure during urologic/gynecologic surgery.
20 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
