DR. JOSEPH A GROCELA, MD
Urology in Boston, MA

7204801, Apr 17, 2007

Jan 17, 2003

10/345991

Joseph A. Grocela - Boston MA, US

Massachusetts General Hospital - Boston MA

A61F 2/00

600 30

A device to be surgically inserted for providing bulk and stiffness supporting the urethra. A preferred embodiment is shaped like a capital letter “T. ” The extensions of the T are wide compared to the patient's anterior vagina and urethra. The pubovaginal support is positioned or implanted under the urethra in the area from mid-urethra to the bladder neck. The body is folded, rolled, or otherwise arranged to provide bulk under the urethra. The pubovaginal support is constructed to be relatively stiff in the area directly supporting the urethra. The extensions retain the device in its position in the vagina without the need for abdominal or pubic bone anchors. The device additionally has some flexibility for easier insertion and comfort while retained in the body. A method of treating incontinence includes inserting the device into pockets dissected in the peri-urethral tissue between the vagina and urethra.

2004014, Jul 22, 2004

Jan 17, 2003

10/345936

Joseph Grocela - Boston MA, US

A61F002/04

623/023660, 600/030000, 128/898000

A spacer useful for relieving excess pressure exerted on a sphincter muscle by an anatomical structure. A preferred embodiment relates to a urethral spacer. The urethral spacer is a disk-like element formed of an absorbable, biodegradable material, and includes a slot through a portion of the device which permits the disk to be opened up and positioned around the urethra. The urethral spacer is sutured in place around the urethra adjacent to or around the urinary sphincter, preferably after a radical prostatectomy.