SURGICAL INSTRUMENT FOR TREATING FEMALE URINARY INCONTINENCE

The invention relates to a surgical instrument Figs 1-3 and a method Figs 4-11 for treating female urinary incontinence. The instrument comprises a handle mechanism 11 and one or two curved needle-like elements 21 which are connected at opposite ends of the tape 26, which is implanted into the body. These elements can be connected one at a time with the handle and are intended to pass into the body via the vagina 28, each needle-like element being dimensioned to extend from the inside of the vaginal wall, under the pubic bone 31 and to the outside of the abdominal wall. When practicing the method, the tape is passed into the body via the vagina first at one end and then at the other end at one side and the other, respectively, of the urethra 30 to form a loop around urethra, located between urethra and the vaginal wall. The tape is extended under the pubis and through the abdominal wall and adjusted. The tape ends are cut at the abdominal wall, and the tape is left implanted in the body.