Abstract:
Improved devices, methods, and systems for the surgical treatment of urinary incontinence generally enhance the support provided by the natural tissues of the pelvic floor without directly applying compressive pressure against the urethra. The invention provides probes (50) for forming plication in the endo-pelvic fascia that are displaced laterally on either side of the midline. These probes (50) can impose a redetermined level of trauma to the plic ated tissues so as to promote the formation of adhesions. Adhesions can maintain the enhanced support provided by the plication after reabsorption of a temporary fastener (30) (such as a reabsorbable suture, staple, or the like). The plicated probe draws the tissue inward to provide a uniform plication within a predetermined size range.