Apparatus and Method for Pelvic Floor Repair in the Human Female

摘要

A prosthesis for addressing pelvic organ prolapse in females comprises a frame fabricated from a shape memory material that supports a thin, flexible mesh sheet in a stretched condition when the frame is unconstrained. The mesh sheet is formed with two finger receiving pockets proximate its posterior periphery to be used by the surgeon in steering the prosthesis to a desired disposition within the pelvic basin. The frame is shaped so as to conform to and be supported by bone structures and muscle tissue in the pelvic basin while providing needed support to pelvic organs to maintain them in a proper position. The use of a shape memory material allows the prosthesis to be rolled or folded into a reduced size for ease of placement through a small incision in the wall of the vagina, but that springs back to its memorized shape following deployment from a delivery sheath.