The MINT Program is happy to announce that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued a new patent for our Rectal Prolapse project.
The patent issued on April 30, 2013 as US 8,430,890 B2
The innovative rectal prolapse treatment is designed to enable the repair of a prolapsed rectum (rectum leaves the body due to laxity in the pelvic floor muscles) through an endolumenal (internal surface) approach.
Traditional surgery for rectal prolapse involves major abdominal or perineal surgery under general anaesthesia. The MINT minimally invasive endolumenal approach, uses flexible endoscope mounted technology. As the surgery is performed within the internal channel of the rectum, there are no abdominal incisions using this method, and can be performed under local anaesthesia or sedation.
This revolutionary approach represents a paradigm shift in the treatment of this debilitating disease. Post-operative complications associated with traditional surgical methods may be reduced using this technology as will health care costs.