Devices, systems, and method for treating urinary incontinence generally
rely on energy delivered to a patient's own pelvic support tissue to
selectively contract or shrink at least a portion of that pelvic support
tissue so as to reposition the bladder. The energy will preferably be
applied to the endopelvic fascia and/or an arcus tendineus fascia pelvis.
The invention provides a variety of devices and methods for applying
gentle resistive heating of these and other tissues to cause them to
contract without imposing significant injury on the surrounding tissue
structures. Alternatively, heat-applying probes are configured to heat
tissue structures which comprise or support a patient's urethra. By
applying sufficient energy over a predetermined time, the tissue can be
raised to a temperature which results in contraction without significant
necrosis or other tissue damage. By selectively contracting the support
tissues, the bladder neck, sphincter, and other components of the urinary
tract responsible for the control of urinary flow can be reconfigured or
supported in a manner which reduces urinary leakage.