referring now to the drawings , wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views . the following description is meant to be illustrative only and not limiting . other embodiments of this invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of this description . two tissue pathways are established between the external perirectal region and the region of the ischial spine of the patient . these pathways are made by making incisions in the rectal area and the vaginal apex and passing a needle through the rectal area incision toward the vaginal incision . referring now to the drawings , wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views , fig1 shows a needle 14 and handle 10 suitable for use in the present invention . the handle 10 can be any suitable handle known in the art . u . s . pat . no . 6 , 652 , 450 , hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety , discloses several possible configurations . the needle 14 is generally curved or arcuate . a variety of needle designs and / or configurations may be used including , without limitation , straight , bent , curved , arc - shaped , stamey , raz and other configurations , all references hereinafter will be made to an arc - shaped needle in the spirit of brevity and reader convenience . further , u . s . pat . no . 6 , 652 , 450 discloses multiple acceptable configurations , and is hereby incorporated by reference . overall , the shape of the needle 14 should facilitate and provide controlled passage of the needle 14 through tissue as required . the ends or tip of the needle 14 are generally not sharpened , but may be tapered to afford easy passage through tissue while providing a blunt surface that avoids cutting sensitive tissue such as the bowel . it is preferred that the diameter of the needle 14 be small relative to the prior art to reduce tissue trauma . the needle 14 is made of a malleable , yet durable , biocompatable surgical instrument materials such as , but not limited to , stainless steel , titanium , nitinol , polymers , plastics and other materials , including combinations of materials . the needle 14 should have sufficient structural integrity to withstand the various forces ( e . g . forces caused by dilator attachment , cystoscopy aid passage , and penetration / passage of the needle 14 through the various tissues ) without undergoing any significant structural deformation . optionally , the needles 14 could be sufficiently malleable to allow a practitioner or user of the device to modify the needle 14 to a desired shape and , thereby , optimize the procedural approach . fig1 shows a needle tip 15 . the needle tip is optionally adapted to connect securely to a connector on the end of a sheath associated with at least one of the end portions of the support member . many different configurations of such a system are known in the art and within the scope of the present invention . several are disclosed in u . s . pat . no . 6 , 652 , 450 , which is incorporated by reference . following passage through the pathways , the needle tip is connected to a support member of the present invention . following proper positioning of the support member , the needles are retracted back through the skin incision , carrying the end portions of the support member to the skin incision . fig6 shows an embodiment of the support member of the present invention . the support member is a mesh tape including the support portion 22 and two end portions 32 . in various embodiments of the invention , the support member may be a one piece mesh with the support portion substantially continuous with the end portions . in the illustrated embodiment of fig6 , the support portion is a larger substantially rectangular mesh that is provided pre - attached to the tape . many different types of mesh are known in the art and may be suitable for the present invention . both biocompatible absorbable and non - absorbable yarns can be used to make the surgical meshes required . suitable non - absorbable materials for use in the present invention include , but are not limited to , cotton , linen , silk , polyamides ( polyhexamethylene adipamide ( nylon 66 ), polyhexamethylene sebacamide ( nylon 610 ), polycapramide ( nylon 6 ), polydodecanamide ( nylon 12 ) and polyhexamethylene isophthalamide ( nylon 61 ) copolymers and blends thereof ), polyesters ( e . g . polyethylene terephthalate , polybutyl terephthalate , copolymers and blends thereof ), fluoropolymers ( e . g . polytetrafluoroethylene and polyvinylidene fluoride ) polyolefins ( e . g . polypropylene including isotactic and syndiotactic polypropylene and blends thereof , as well as , blends composed predominately of isotactic or syndiotactic polypropylene blended with heterotactic polypropylene ( such as are described in u . s . pat . no . 4 , 557 , 264 issued dec . 10 , 1985 assigned to ethicon , inc . hereby incorporated by reference ) and polyethylene ( such as is described in u . s . pat . no . 4 , 557 , 264 issued dec . 10 , 1985 assigned to ethicon , inc . hereby incorporated by reference )) and combinations thereof suitable absorbable materials for use as yarns include but are not limited to aliphatic polyesters which include but are not limited to homopolymers and copolymers of lactide ( which includes lactic acid d -, 1 - and meso lactide ), glycolide ( including glycolic acid ),. epsilon .- caprolactone , p - dioxanone ( 1 , 4 - dioxan - 2 - one ), trimethylene carbonate ( 1 , 3 - dioxan - 2 - one ), alkyl derivatives of trimethylene carbonate , delta .- valerolactone , . beta .- butyrolactone , . gamma .- butyrolactone , . epsilon .- decalactone , hydroxybutyrate , hydroxyvalerate , 1 , 4 - dioxepan - 2 - one ( including its dimer 1 , 5 , 8 , 12 - tetraoxacyclotetradecane - 7 , 14 - dione ), 1 , 5 - dioxepan - 2 - one , 6 , 6 - dimethyl - 1 , 4 - dioxan - 2 - one and polymer blends thereof . in the present invention , the mesh is preferably fabricated from a 4 . 0 mil diameter monofilament polypropylene yarn by employing methods known in the art and described in “ warp knitting production ” by dr . s . raz , melliand textilberichte gmbh , rohrbacher str . 76 , d - 6900heidelberg , germany ( 1987 ), the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein . u . s . pat . no . 6 , 638 , 284 is also herein incorporated by reference in its entirety . a preferred mesh for use in the present invention is a polypropylene mesh possessing a thickness of about 0 . 021 inches , has about 27 . 5 courses per inch , and 13 wales per inch . it has three bar warp knit construction with a bar pattern set - up of # 1 : 1 / 0 , 2 / 3 , 2 / 1 , 2 / 3 , 1 / 0 , 1 / 2 , 1 / 0 , 1 / 2 : # 2 : 1 / 0 , 2 / 3 , 2 / 3 , 1 / 0 : # 3 : 2 / 3 , 1 / 0 , 1 / 2 , 1 / 0 , 2 / 3 , 2 / 1 , 2 / 3 , 2 / 1 . in an embodiment , the apparatus of the present invention can have different mesh knits in the support member and the end portions . such a construction would allow use of the optimum knit for support or anchoring . such an apparatus could be manufactured by use of variable knitting and / or variable heat - setting techniques . fig6 also illustrates the tension control member . the tension control member serves as a repositioning means to effect tightening or loosening of the apparatus without adversely affecting the therapeutic efficacy of the apparatus . several different embodiments of tension adjustment member are within the scope of the present invention . in the illustrated embodiment , a tension control member is a monofilament fiber woven into the support member and attached to the support member via attachment points 27 located near the support portion 22 of the support member . other attachment configurations for the tension control member are also included within the scope of the claimed invention . several variations of the tension control member are described in u . s . pat . no . 6 , 652 , 450 , which is incorporated by reference in its entirety . the tension control member enables surgeons to easily tighten or loosen the support member tension during the surgical procedure . to reduce the tension of the support member using the tension control member , the surgeon contacts the support member and tension control member adjacent the prolapsed organ and pulls away from the organ . the tension of the central portion may be increased by grasping the support member and tension control member above the vaginal incision and pulling upward . one or both end portions of the support member and tension control member may be grasped to increase the tension of the support member , effecting tightening by pulling the end portions out at the incisions in the buttocks . affording adjustment of the support member facilitates proper support member placement and helps avoid complications such as recurrence and tissue erosion arising out of improper placement . the individual fibers or filaments comprising the tension control member may be extruded , woven , braided , spun , knitted , non - woven or have other similar configurations . tension control member properties , such as tensile strength , elongation at break point , stiffness , surface finish , etc ., may be similar to or different from those of the support member and may vary along the length of the support member . fig4 and 7 show a mesh / sheath assembly . in this preferred embodiment , the end portions 32 of the support member are substantially enclosed by a sheath 34 . the sheath acts to ease the passage of the mesh end portions 32 through the tissue and to protect the mesh from deformation . the sheath 34 further serves to maintain the mesh in a more sterile condition because , prior to removal of the sheath , the mesh itself has not contacted the vagina . the sheath 34 further provides a means of adjusting the positioning of the support member through manual manipulation of the sheath 34 before their removal . the sheath 34 may optionally further comprise a connecting mechanism to affect a secure attachment to the end of the needle . such mechanism may be one of many different configurations known in the art , such as those keying configurations disclosed in u . s . pat . no . 6 , 652 , 450 , which is incorporated by reference . a preferred embodiment comprises a loop for attachment of the end portions to the needle . this loop is enlarged to allow a surgeon to place his finger through the loop and push the connector onto the needle . numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings . it is understood that within the scope of the appended claims , the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein . while many methods are contemplated herein , an example use of the method and apparatus of treating pelvic organ prolapse is disclosed , referring to fig9 through 25 . the procedure can be carried out under local or general anesthesia . an incision is made midline across the vaginal apex with shapr and blunt dissection to the ischial spine . two small incisions are also made in the skin of the buttocks . needles are passed from perianal skin incisions in the buttocks to the vaginal incision . the needle tip is palpated distal and inferior to the ischial spine prior to passage through the coccygeus muscle . further dissection may be desired to aid palpation of the needle passage . connectors are connected to each needle end . needles are retracted and mesh is positioned . the mesh is then attached to the vaginal vault , tensioned , and the incisions are closed . one embodiment of the present invention is a sterile , single use product consisting of two stainless steel curved needles and a polypropylene mesh implant . the same polypropylene mesh is available in an alternative configuration that allows the attachment of biological material . locking connectors on the ends of the mesh attach to each needle tip and are used to hold the mesh secure to the needle during passage of the mesh through the body . once snapped onto the needle tip , the connectors cannot be removed . three main preferred embodiments of the present apparatus are herein described . the physician may decide at his / her discretion which configuration is most appropriate for a particular patient . a first embodiment ( described herein as the tape embodiment ) includes one - piece self - fixating mesh , two removable plastic insertion sheaths over the mesh , and two locking connectors attached to the insertion sheaths . the tape is knitted polypropylene monofilament mesh that is pre - cut to 1 . 1 cm width × 50 cm length with a non - absorbable or absorbable tensioning suture ( polypropylene ) threaded through the length to allow for tensioning adjustment after placement . the sheath affords convenient travel of the mesh through the tissue . finger loops are formed by the sheath to allow for easy attachment of the connectors to the needle tips . the synthetic mesh tape is intended to remain in the body as a permanent implant . a second embodiment ( described herein as the cape embodiment ) adds a 4 cm × 13 cm mesh to the tape . this soft knitted mesh has large pores and is also made of polypropylene . the mesh is pre - attached to the tape and can be trimmed to suit surgical preference . a third embodiment ( described herein as the bio - cape embodiment ) consists of two separate 1 . 1 cm × 22 cm polypropylene mesh pieces , using the same material as in the tape version . however , one end has a locking connector and finger loop and the other end has a plastic clamp attached to a y - shaped mesh used to facilitate attachment to a biological implant . the clamp is designed to facilitate the attachment of graft material with sutures in order to use the present invention in treatment of pelvic organ prolapse , the patient should initially be prepared by placing the patient in a modified dorsal lithotomy position with hips flexed , legs elevated in stirrups , and buttocks even with the edge of the table . vaginal retraction may be used , if desired . palpate the location of the ischial spines . the various embodiments require differing product preparations . if the tape embodiment is selected , no further preparation is required . if the cape embodiment is selected , trim the rectangular mesh attachment to the desired size and shape . if the bio - cape embodiment is selected , several steps are required to prepare the product . first , remove the biological graft from its package and prepare it as needed . second , trim the biological graft to the desired size and shape . third , squeeze the clamp to separate the mesh tape , as shown in fig8 . fourth , insert graft material into open clamp using printed marks on the device as guides to the center of the graft , as shown in fig9 . fifth , release clamp to secure the graft material , as shown in fig1 . sixth , with desired suture , pass up through the clamp , as shown in fig1 and 12 . seventh , pass suture down through the clamp , as shown in fig1 . eighth , secure the passed sutures using the surgeon &# 39 ; s knot ( s ) of choice , making additional throws if needed , as shown in fig1 and 15 . ninth , cut clamp sutures by passing scissors or scalpel down each side of the clamp , as shown in fig1 and 17 . tenth , remove clamp . the clamp attachment sutures remain with the clamp , as shown in fig1 . eleventh , assess attachment of the graft material to the mesh tape . twelfth , slide protective sheath over mesh connection to aid deployment , as shown in fig1 . repeat attachment steps on the opposite side of the graft . following any required preparation , the procedure is the same for all three of the preferred embodiments : ( 1 ) gain access to the external vaginal vault using surgeon &# 39 ; s preferred method of incision and dissection . if the cape is used , complete rectovaginal dissection is required . ( 2 ) make two small stab incisions on each side of the rectum approximately 3 cm lateral and 3 cm posterior to the anus , as shown in fig2 . ( 3 ) grasp the needle in one hand with the needle tip between the thumb and forefinger . place the other hand near the needle bend . the two needles are identical . either side may be done first . ( 4 ) point the needle tip perpendicular to the skin with the handle pointing upward in a 12 : 00 position , as shown in fig2 . ( 5 ) direct the needle at a slight upward and lateral angle through the buttock . puncture the initial layers of tissue by pushing on the needle bend until the needle enters the ischiorectal fossa . ( 6 ) continue to pass the needle tip lateral and parallel to the rectum toward the ischial spine . palpate as needed , as shown in fig2 . ( 7 ) palpate the needle tip in front of the ischial spine . penetrate the levator muscle advancing and lightly turning the needle tip medially toward the vaginal vault . ( 10 ) insert a finger into the loop behind the connector on the mesh , as shown in fig2 . insert the connector into the vagina . snap onto the needle tip . ( 11 ) pull each needle and connector back through the skin incision . adjust the sheath and mesh into an approximate position . ( 12 ) cut the needles from the mesh near the end of the sheath , below the blue dots provided to guide the surgeon . ( 13 ) attach the mesh to the exterior apex of the vaginal wall with two or more sutures . ( 14 ) ensure the vaginal wall is in the appropriate anatomic position . if the cape is being used , lay the cape in the perirectal space , in a tension - free manner , and close the perirectal fascia over the mesh or the vaginal incision . ( 15 ) pull on the mesh assemblies to make final adjustments , as shown in fig2 . although the invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments and applications , one of ordinary skill in the art , in light of this teaching , can generate additional embodiments and modifications without departing from the spirit of or exceeding the scope of the claimed invention . accordingly , it is to be understood that the drawings and descriptions herein are proffered by way of example to facilitate comprehension of the invention and should not be construed to limit the scope thereof .
a method of treating pelvic organ prolapse is provided . the method generally includes the steps of establishing a first pathway between the external perirectal region of the patient to the region of the ischial spine in tissue on one side of the prolapsed organ , followed by establishing a second pathway in tissue on the contralateral side of the prolapsed organ . a support member , which includes a central support portion and two end portions , is positioned in a position to reposition said prolapsed organ in said organ &# 39 ; s anatomically correct location . the end portions of the support member are introduced through the respective tissue pathways , followed by adjustment of the end portions so that the support member is located in a therapeutic relationship to the prolapsed organ that is to be supported . an apparatus and kit for said treatment is further provided .