SLING FOR SUPPORTING AND OCCLUDING A TISSUE

摘要

A method and sling for supporting a tissue or other lumen in a body. When the sling is used to support the urethra of a female, it is effective in treating urinary incontinence. In one embodiment, the invention is a sling comprising a first end portion and a second end portion; and a support section intermediate the first and second end portions for supporting a tissue (preferably a urethra), the support section having first and second occluding portions and a relief portion intermediate the first and second occluding portions. In another aspect, the invention is a method of using the sling to support and occlude a urethra.