referring to fig1 , there is shown a schematic side view of a human patient 10 having a prolapsed vagina 12 . in the prior art sacrocolpopexy method shown in fig2 , the apex 13 of the vagina 12 has been suspended by affixing a y - shaped article 14 of synthetic mesh to the anterior vaginal wall 16 and posterior vaginal wall 18 and suspending the article 14 from a strong ligament on the anterior part of the sacrum 20 . this prior art procedure is typically performed via a laparoscopic approach , entering the abdominal cavity to access the sacrum and vaginal tissues , both of which are retroperitoneal ( behind the lining of the abdominal cavity ). more details on an example version of the prior art method of fig2 can be found in u . s . pat . no . 6 , 592 , 515 . turning now to fig3 , there is shown a top view of one attachment part 22 of a suspension device used in a method for treating pelvic organ prolapse according to the invention . the attachment part 22 includes a first end section 24 , a second end section 25 , and an intermediate section 26 between the first end section 24 and the second end section 25 . in the example version shown , the attachment part 22 has a rectangular perimeter 27 . the intermediate section 26 has a central rectangular opening 28 . the intermediate section 26 also has a first slot 31 and a second slot 32 on one side of the opening 28 , and also has a third slot 33 and a fourth slot 34 on an opposite side of the opening 28 . a strip 36 of material is formed between the first slot 31 and the opening 28 . a strip 37 of material is formed between the second slot 32 and the opening 28 . a strip 38 of material is formed between the third slot 33 and the opening 28 . a strip 39 of material is formed between the fourth slot 34 and the opening 28 . when used in a surgical method according to the invention , the first end section 24 of the attachment part 22 is suitable for attaching to the outer surface of the anterior vaginal wall 16 near the apex 13 of the vagina 12 , and the second end section 25 of the attachment part 22 is suitable for attaching to the outer surface of the posterior vaginal wall 18 near the apex 13 of the vagina 12 . use of the attachment part 22 in a surgical method according to the invention is explained further below . referring now to fig4 , there is shown a top view of an attachment part 40 of a suspension device according to the invention . the attachment part 40 includes a base section 42 and four spaced apart flaps 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 that extend away from the base section 42 of the attachment part 40 . when used in a surgical method according to the invention , the base section 42 of the attachment part 40 is suitable for attaching to the anterior of the sacrum 20 . use of the attachment part 40 in a surgical method according to the invention is explained further below . looking now at fig5 , there is shown a top view of a first attachment part 52 of another version of a suspension device according to the invention . the first attachment part 52 includes a first end section 54 , and a second end section 55 . in the example version shown , the first attachment part 52 has a rectangular perimeter 57 . the second end section 55 has a first slot 58 and a second slot 59 . when used in a surgical method according to the invention , the first end section 54 of the first attachment part 52 is suitable for attaching to the outer surface of the anterior vaginal wall 16 near the apex 13 of the vagina 12 , or to the outer surface of the posterior vaginal wall 18 near the apex 13 of the vagina 12 . use of the first attachment part 52 in a surgical method according to the invention is explained further below . still looking at fig5 , there is shown a top view of a second attachment part 62 of another version of a suspension device according to the invention . the second attachment part 62 includes a first end section 64 , and a second end section 65 . in the example version shown , the second attachment part 62 has a rectangular perimeter 67 . the second end section 65 has a first slot 68 and a second slot 69 . when used in a surgical method according to the invention , the first end section 64 of the second attachment part 62 is suitable for attaching to the outer surface of the anterior vaginal wall 16 near the apex 13 of the vagina 12 , or to the outer surface of the posterior vaginal wall 18 near the apex 13 of the vagina 12 . use of the second attachment part 62 in a surgical method according to the invention is explained further below . each of the attachment part 22 , the attachment part 40 , the first attachment part 52 , and the second attachment part 62 preferably comprises a mesh material with pores that afford tissue ingrowth and resist infection . ( fig3 - 5 show mesh regions at different sections of the attachment part 22 , the attachment part 40 , the first attachment part 52 , and the second attachment part 62 for the sake of clarity .) the mesh material may comprise any section or all sections of the attachment part 22 , the attachment part 40 , the first attachment part 52 , and the second attachment part 62 .) the mesh material may comprise woven , knitted or inter - linked filaments or fibers that form multiple junctions . the junctions may be formed via weaving , bonding , ultrasonic welding , knitting or other junction forming techniques . the flexible mesh material provides for elasticity in both lateral and longitudinal directions . non - limiting examples of materials for forming the mesh material include polyethylene , polypropylene , nylons , poly - l - lactide , polyethylene glycol , polyesters , and any combination of these materials . as a non - limiting example , the mesh material comprises polypropylene filaments , such as a 75 micron weave . non - synthetic materials such as grafts and collagen may also be suitable for forming the attachment part 22 , the attachment part 40 , the first attachment part 52 , and the second attachment part 62 . each of the attachment part 22 , the attachment part 40 , the first attachment part 52 , and the second attachment part 62 may also include one or more bioactive agents associated with the mesh material through a process such as coating . a “ bioactive agent ” as used herein includes , without limitation , physiologically or pharmacologically active substances that act locally or systemically in the body . a bioactive agent is a substance used for the treatment , prevention , diagnosis , cure or mitigation of disease or illness , or a substance which affects the structure or function of the body or which becomes biologically active or more active after it has been placed in a predetermined physiological environment . bioactive agents include , without limitation , cells , drugs , precursors , enzymes , organic catalysts , ribozymes , organometallics , proteins , glycoproteins , peptides , polyamino acids , antibodies , nucleic acids , steroidal molecules , antibiotics , antimycotics , cytokines , growth factors , carbohydrates , oleophobics , lipids , extracellular matrix and / or its individual components , pharmaceuticals , and therapeutics . optionally , a dye may be coated on one or more surface sections of any of the attachment part 22 , the attachment part 40 , the first attachment part 52 , and the second attachment part 62 . the dye provides the surgeon with a visual indicator to aid in properly orienting the attachment part 22 , the attachment part 40 , the first attachment part 52 , and the second attachment part 62 at the target site within the patient . various different colors of dyes may be used for the attachment part 22 , the attachment part 40 , the first attachment part 52 , and the second attachment part 62 . different colors of dyes may be used on different sections of the same part to provide a visual indicator to aid in properly orienting the attachment part 22 , the attachment part 40 , the first attachment part 52 , and the second attachment part 62 at the target site within the patient . turning now to fig6 - 15 , use of the attachment part 22 and the attachment part 40 in a surgical procedure according to the invention for the treatment of vaginal vault prolapse can be detailed further . in the version of a surgical procedure according to the invention shown , the surgeon can begin by making a 3 - 4 centimeter incision with a surgical tool 71 at the apex 13 of the vaginal vault 12 , entering the retroperitoneal space at the level of the rectovaginal septum . this is shown in fig6 . the surgeon can insert a trocar sleeve 73 in the incision as shown in fig7 . then , using co 2 insufflation or blunt dissection , the anterior part of the sacrum 20 , just distal to the sacral promontory , can be visualized and cleared of overlying tissue . looking at fig8 , a laparoscopic needle driver , or direct suture device , or suture capturing device 75 can be inserted through trocar sleeve 73 and can be used to place sutures in the ligament overlying the anterior part of the sacrum 20 . the position of the suture is indicated at 76 in fig8 . one example suture capturing device is described in u . s . pat . no . 6 , 048 , 351 . the suture capturing device of this patent has been sold under the trademark “ capio ”. another example suturing device can be found in u . s . pat . no . 6 , 071 , 289 . the suture capturing device of this patent can be advantageous as it can suture transverse to the longitudinal axis of the device . referring now to fig9 , the sutures in the ligament overlying the anterior part of the sacrum 20 can be attached to the apical portion of the base section 42 of the attachment part 40 , and using a pulley stitch , the base section 42 of the attachment part 40 can be affixed to the sacrum 20 . after the base section 42 of the attachment part 40 is affixed to the sacrum 20 , the four spaced apart flaps 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 of the attachment part 40 extend through the trocar sleeve 73 , which may be removed as shown in fig1 . turning now to fig1 - 13 , the surgeon attaches the first end section 24 of the attachment part 22 to the outer surface of the anterior vaginal wall 16 near the apex 13 of the vagina 12 , and attaches the second end section 25 of the attachment part 22 to the outer surface of the posterior vaginal wall 18 near the apex 13 of the vagina 12 . ( because the vagina 12 in fig1 - 13 is prolapsed , the outer surface of the vagina 12 faces inward .) looking at fig1 , the surgeon arranges the four spaced apart flaps 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 of the attachment part 40 as follows . the flap 43 is inserted downward through opening 28 of the attachment part 22 around the strip 36 of material and back up through the first slot 31 of the attachment part 22 . likewise , the flap 44 is inserted downward through opening 28 of the attachment part 22 around the strip 37 of material and back up through the second slot 32 of the attachment part 22 . likewise , the flap 45 is inserted downward through opening 28 of the attachment part 22 around the strip 38 of material and back up through the third slot 33 of the attachment part 22 . likewise , the flap 45 is inserted downward through opening 28 of the attachment part 22 around the strip 39 of material and back up through the fourth slot 34 of the attachment part 22 . now , turning to fig1 , the surgeon uses an instrument 80 according to the invention for attaching the attachment part 22 and the attachment part 40 . the instrument 80 includes a shaft 81 carrying a hook 82 for holding the flap 44 and an attachment mechanism 84 . the instrument 80 includes a tension gauge for measuring a tension on the hook 82 when the hook 82 engages the mesh of the distal end 144 of the flap 44 and is moved in direction a of fig1 . the tension gauge includes a load cell coupled to the hook 82 for measuring the tension . the attachment mechanism 84 can be a stapling or clipping device . the attachment mechanism 84 can be a suture capturing device . the attachment mechanism 84 can be a riveting device . the attachment mechanism 84 can be a heat welding device . still referring to fig1 , the surgeon first engages the flap 44 with the hook 82 of the instrument 80 . as the surgeon moves the instrument 80 in direction a toward the sacrum , the lower loop end 94 of the flap 44 will exert an upward force in direction a on the strip 37 of material formed between the second slot 32 and the opening 28 of the attachment part 22 . this causes the attachment part 22 to move in direction a . after continued movement in direction a , the attachment part 22 and attached vagina 12 will invert to the position shown in fig1 . eventually , the vagina 12 will prevent further upward movement of the attached attachment part 22 . at this time , the tension gauge will measure a tension on the hook 82 as the distal end 144 of the flap 44 is prevented from freely moving in direction a due to the restraining force of the strip 37 of material formed between the second slot 32 and the opening 28 of the attachment part 22 . the tension gauge includes a suitable led display that is in electrical communication by way of circuitry with the load cell such that the surgeon can view the tension on the distal end 144 of the flap 44 on the display . when a suitable tension is reached , the distal end 144 of the flap 44 is sandwiched between the attachment mechanism 84 and the attachment part 40 . the distal end 144 of the flap 44 can then be attached to the attachment part 40 by the attachment mechanism 84 . for example , the attachment mechanism 84 can staple or clip together the distal end 144 of the flap 44 and the attachment part 40 . alternatively , the attachment mechanism 84 can attach a suture such that the distal end 144 of the flap 44 and the attachment part 40 can be sutured together . alternatively , the attachment mechanism 84 can rivet together the distal end 144 of the flap 44 and the attachment part 40 . alternatively , the attachment mechanism 84 can heat weld together the distal end 144 of the flap 44 and the attachment part 40 . the method described above for attaching the distal end 144 of the flap 44 and the attachment part 40 can also be used to attach the distal ends of the flaps 43 , 45 , 46 to the attachment part 40 . the flaps 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 can be of sufficient length such that the flaps 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 do not fall out of slots 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 when the attachment part 22 moves in direction a of fig4 . extra length for the flaps 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 that remains after attachment to the attachment part 40 can be removed by the surgeon . referring now to fig1 , the attachment part 22 and the attachment part 40 are shown in the fully assembled implanted configuration . the apical portion of the base section 42 of the attachment part 40 is attached to the ligament overlying the anterior part of the sacrum 20 . alternatively , the apical portion of the base section 42 of the attachment part 40 can be attached directly to the anterior part of the sacrum 20 using , for example , a tack . the first end section 24 of the attachment part 22 has been attached to the outer surface of the anterior vaginal wall 16 near the apex of the vagina 12 , and the second end section 25 of the attachment part 22 has been attached to the outer surface of the posterior vaginal wall 18 near the apex of the vagina 12 . still referring to fig1 , the flap 43 of the attachment part 40 has been inserted downward through opening 28 of the attachment part 22 around the strip 36 of material and back up through the first slot 31 of the attachment part 22 . the distal end of the flap 43 has been attached to the attachment part 40 . likewise , the flaps 44 , 45 , 46 have been attached to the attachment part 40 as described above . the loops formed by the flaps 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 exert a force in direction a on the attachment part 22 , which is attached to the vagina 12 as described above and shown in fig1 . this suspends the vagina 12 from the sacrum 20 thereby treating prolapse . the surgical method can also be performed using the attachment parts 52 , 62 and the attachment part 40 . referring now to fig1 , the attachment parts 52 , 62 and the attachment part 40 are shown in the fully assembled implanted configuration . the apical portion of the base section 42 of the attachment part 40 is attached to the ligament overlying the anterior part of the sacrum 20 . the end section 54 of the attachment part 52 has been attached to the outer surface of the anterior vaginal wall 16 near the apex of the vagina 12 , and the end section 64 of the attachment part 62 has been attached to the outer surface of the posterior vaginal wall 18 near the apex of the vagina 12 . still referring to fig1 , the flap 43 of the attachment part 40 has been inserted through the first slot 58 of the attachment part 52 , and the distal end of the flap 43 has been attached to the attachment part 40 . likewise , the flaps 44 , 45 , 46 have been attached to the attachment parts 52 , 62 . the loops formed by the flaps 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 exert a force in direction a on the attachment parts 52 , 62 , which are attached to the vagina 12 as described above and shown in fig1 . this suspends the vagina 12 from the sacrum 20 thereby treating prolapse . other variations in the suspension devices are possible . an alternative to attachment part 22 can be a vaginal attachment part including a first end section having two flaps extending away from the first end section and including a second opposite end section having two flaps extending from the second end section . an alternative to the attachment part 40 can be a sacral attachment part having a first end section and a second opposite end section wherein the second opposite end section has four slots . sutures in the ligament overlying the anterior part of the sacrum 20 can be attached to the apical portion of the base section of this sacral attachment part , and using a pulley stitch , the base section of this sacral attachment part can be affixed to the sacrum . the surgeon attaches the first end section of this alternative vaginal attachment part to the outer surface of the anterior vaginal wall 16 near the apex 13 of the vagina 12 , and attaches the second end section 25 of this alternative vaginal attachment part 22 to the outer surface of the posterior vaginal wall 18 near the apex 13 of the vagina 12 . the surgeon arranges each of the four tensioning flaps of this alternative vaginal attachment part in one of the slots of the alternative sacral attachment part , and the flaps are tensioned and attached as above . in another variation in the suspension devices , each of the vaginal attachment part and the sacral attachment part includes some slots and some tensioning flaps . thus , the tensioning flaps can be on either the part attached to the sacrum or the part attached to the vagina or on any combination therein . in yet another variation in the suspension devices , the attachment parts 52 , 62 can each be a vaginal attachment part including an end section having two flaps extending away from the end section . an alternative to the attachment part 40 can be a sacral attachment part having a first end section and a second opposite end section wherein the second opposite end section has four slots . sutures in the ligament overlying the anterior part of the sacrum 20 can be attached to the apical portion of the base section of this sacral attachment part , and using a pulley stitch , the base section of this sacral attachment part can be affixed to the sacrum . the surgeon attaches one alternative vaginal attachment part to the outer surface of the anterior vaginal wall 16 near the apex 13 of the vagina 12 , and attaches the other separate alternative vaginal attachment part 22 to the outer surface of the posterior vaginal wall 18 near the apex 13 of the vagina 12 . the surgeon arranges each of the two tensioning flaps of one alternative vaginal attachment part and each of the two tensioning flaps of the other separate alternative vaginal attachment part in one of the slots of the alternative sacral attachment part , and the flaps are tensioned and attached as above . in still another variation in the suspension devices , a two piece construction can be used where one part coming from the sacrum is also attached to the vagina and the other part that is attached to the vagina is connected to the other and tensioned . while the invention has been described as including a method , an implantable suspension device , and a surgical instrument for treating vaginal vault prolapse , it should be understood that the invention can also adapted for use in the treatment of prolapse of other pelvic organs ( e . g ., uterus or bladder ). thus , although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to certain embodiments , one skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be practiced by other than the described embodiments , which have been presented for purposes of illustration and not of limitation . therefore , the scope of the invention should not be limited to the description of the embodiments contained herein . the invention provides an implantable medical device and a surgical instrument for using the device in a procedure for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse .
an implantable medical device and a surgical instrument for using the device in a procedure for the treatment of vaginal vault prolapse are disclosed . in one form of the device , one attachment part attaches to the anterior and posterior parts of the vaginal apex , and the other attachment part attaches to anterior part of the sacrum . the two attachment parts are capable of being attached together during the procedure in a manner which permits appropriate adjustment of tension . the invention also includes an instrument which allows the pieces of the suspension material to be attached to each other and enables the appropriate suspension of the vaginal apex from the anterior part of the sacrum . in another form of the device , one attachment part attaches to the anterior part of the vaginal apex , another separate attachment part attaches to the posterior part of the vaginal apex , and another separate attachment part attaches to anterior part of the sacrum . the device and method permit the performance of a sacrocolpopexy by accessing the sacrum and vaginal tissues via the vaginal orifice , thus avoiding the abdominal cavity completely .