Apparatus and methods for enhancing the functional longevity and for facilitating the implantation of medical devices

摘要

Surgical apparatus and associated methods of use are provided for enhancing the functional life-span of medical implants and for facilitating their implantation, particularly for medical devices designed to support anatomical structures. The apparatus comprises a reinforcing fastener guide for fixedly mounting or interlocking onto the surface of a medical device such as a urethral sling or the like. Formed of surgical grade metals or plastics, the attached reinforcing fastener guide defines an easily identified location for the implanting surgeon to position one or more surgical fasteners, such as a suture, to the patient's body in order to permanently position the medical implant. This greatly simplifies and shortens the implantation protocol while substantially reducing undesirable mechanical stresses within the implant at these attachment points, thereby increasing the useful life of the implanted medical device.