Patent EP0265207A1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0265207A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Trans-urethral incontinence device
Assignee: Cook Urological Inc
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Filing: 1987-10-19
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2007-10-19
Abstract
Abstract This invention describes a urethra insertable in-dwelling incontinence control device. In a typical embodiment of this invention, a flexible tube (10) has two deformable retention means (12, (13) affixed to the exterior of the tube near one end, and a valve (20) bonded to the tube at the opposite end. Each of the deformable retention means (12, (13) is composed of a foam cuff (13a) having interconnecting interstices filled with air when the cuff is (13a) in its normally expanded condition. A lumen (11) extending along the length of the interior surface of the flexible tube and plugged at each end communicates with the foam cuffs. A syringe can be inserted through a port into the lumen to be used to withdraw the air from the interstices in the foam cuffs. When the air is withdrawn, the foam cuff retention means assume a contracted condition for insertion into the patient's urethra (50). The hypodermic can then be used to inject air into the interstices, thereby causing the retention means (12), (13) to expand to hold the incontinence device in position within the urethra (50). The valve (20) in this embodiment is a two-position ball valve that is manually conducted along a channel to alternatively close and open the exit end of the flexible tube (10). The ball (30) in the valve can be seated in recesses in the valve (20) to retain the ball (30) in the open position when urination is desired and in the open position when urination is completed.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald J. French
- 👤 Robert J. Laster, Jr.
- 👤 Jeffrey D. Mcgough
- 👤 Joseph R. Stines
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:39
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/0004; A61F2/0022
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A urethra insertable in-dwelling incontinence control device, comprising: a flexible tube adapted to be inserted in a urinary tract of a patient, said tube having a first end and a second end; at least one deformable retention means for restraining said tube within the urinary tract, said retention means being capable of assuming a contracted condition and also being capable of assuming a relatively enlarged condition; and valve means for opening and closing said second end of the flexible tube, said valve means being affixed to the second end of the flexible tube and adapted to be inserted in said urinary tract.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
A urethra insertable in-dwelling incontinence control device, comprising: a flexible tube adapted to be inserted in a urinary tract of a patient, said tube having a first end and a second end; at least one deformable retention means for restraining said tube within the urinary tract, said retention means being capable of assuming a contracted condition and also being capable of assuming a relatively enlarged condition; and valve means for opening and closing said second end of the flexible tube, said valve means being affixed to the second end of the flexible tube and adapted to be inserted in said urinary tract.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
98 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said deformable retention means comprises: a foam cuff surrounding said flexible tube and having a plurality of interconnecting interstices, said foam cuff assuming said contracted condition when said interstices are evacuated and said cuff assuming said enlarged condition when the interstices are filled with a fluid; a deformable cover surrounding said cuff and engaged with the exterior of the flexible tube to form an air-tight seal around the foam cuff; and means for introducing fluid into and evacuating said interstices while preserving the air-tight seal during and after said introduction or evacuation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
108 words
The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein said valve means comprises; a valve member; a first channel, having a first recess at one end of said first channel in which said valve member is seated to prevent communication of fluid from said second end of the flexible tube when the valve is in a closed position, and, further, having a second recess at the other end of the first channel in which the valve member is seated when the valve is in an open position; and a second channel situated to communicate fluid from the flexible tube when said valve member is seated in said second recess.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
67 words
The device of claim 3, wherein; said valve member has a smooth spherical surface; each of said first and second recesses is shaped to accept said valve member and to retain the valve member within said recess; and said first recess is further shaped to elastically conform to the valve member to restrict fluid flow between said valve member and the interior surface of the first recess.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
32 words
The device of any preceding claim, wherein: said valve means is manually operable; and said valve means is adapted to be situated within the penis adjacent the exit end of the urethra.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
51 words
The device of any one of claims 3, 4 or 5, wherein; said first channel is composed of a resilient material so that the exterior of the channel can be manipulated in such a manner to dislodge said valve member from and convey the valve member between each of said recesses.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of any one of claim 3, 4, 5 or 6 wherein: said first and second channels are integrally formed into said second end of the flexible tube.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
49 words
The device of any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein said means for introducing fluid comprises: a flexible lumen extending substantially along the length of said flexible tube, said lumen extending to and communicating with said foam cuff; and a plug at e ach end of said lumen.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 8, wherein: said lumen is integrally formed along the interior of said flexible tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
The device of claim 9, further comprising: a port communicating through said tube with one end of said lumen, said port being adapted for having a syringe inserted therethrough, and being capable of substantially closing when the syringe is removed from the port.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
59 words
The device of any one of claims 2 to 10, comprising: a first retention means situated at said first end of the flexible tube; and a second deformable retention means situated in fixed relationship with said first retention means and adapted to be situated at a bulbous urethra when said first retention means is situated at a bladder sphincter.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
57 words
The device of any preceding claim, comprising: a first retention means integrally formed into said first end of the flexible tube; and said first retention means comprising a flexible cup having a generally funnel shape adapted to conform to the interior surface of a bladder of the patient when said cup is situated at a bladder sphincter.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device of claim 12, further comprising a second deformable retention means situated in fixed relationship with said first retention means and adapted to be situated at a bulbous urethra when said first retention means is situated at the bladder sphincter.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
31 words
The device of any preceding claim, comprising: a first retention means situated at said first end of the flexible tube; and said first retention means is substantially circular in longitudinal cross-section.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
22 words
The device of any one of claims 2 to 14, wherein; said second deformable retention means is substantially oval in longitudinal cross-section.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
22 words
The device of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein; said second deformable retention means is substantially rectangular in longitudinal cross-section.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
178 words
A method for inserting a trans-urethral incontinence device into a patient, comprising the steps of 1) providing an incontinence control device including a flexible tube having a deformable retention element situated at one end of said tube, said retention element comprising a foam cuff having interconnecting interstices and a deformable cover surrounding said cuff and engaged with said tube to form an air-tight seal about said foam cuff, and a valve regulating fluid flow through the tube; 2) evacuating said interstices in said foam cuff until said retention element assumes a contracted condition; 3) inserting the end of said flexible tube having the deformable retention element into the urethra; 4) conveying said tube into the urethra until the retention element is extended into the bladder, while the valve is manually accessible to the patient at the exit end of the urethra; and 5) introducing fluid into the interstices until the foam cuff assumed an expanded condition such that the retention element is restrained against the bladder sphincter to prevent travel of the incontinence control device within the urethra.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
178 words
A method for inserting a trans-urethral incontinence device into a patient, comprising the steps of 1) providing an incontinence control device including a flexible tube having a deformable retention element situated at one end of said tube, said retention element comprising a foam cuff having interconnecting interstices and a deformable cover surrounding said cuff and engaged with said tube to form an air-tight seal about said foam cuff, and a valve regulating fluid flow through the tube; 2) evacuating said interstices in said foam cuff until said retention element assumes a contracted condition; 3) inserting the end of said flexible tube having the deformable retention element into the urethra; 4) conveying said tube into the urethra until the retention element is extended into the bladder, while the valve is manually accessible to the patient at the exit end of the urethra; and 5) introducing fluid into the interstices until the foam cuff assumed an expanded condition such that the retention element is restrained against the bladder sphincter to prevent travel of the incontinence control device within the urethra.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method of claim 17, wherein the step of conveying said tube into the urethra further comprises the steps of: contacting said flexible tube with a flexible pusher rod, said pusher rod at all times having a portion of the rod external to the body of the patient; and pushing said pusher rod so that the rod reacts against the flexible tube to convey said tube into the urethra.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
237 words
A method for inserting a trans-urethral incontinence control device into a patient, comprising the steps of: 1) providing an incontinence control device including a flexible tube having a first deformable retention element located at the end of said tube and a second deformable retention element in spaced relation with said first retention element, each of said retention elements comprising a foam cuff having interconnecting interstices and a deformable cover surrounding said cuff and engaged with said tube to form an air-tight seal about said foam cuff, and a valve regulating fluid flow through the tube; 2) evacuating said interstices in said foam cuff in each of said deformable retention elements until each of the retention elements assumes a contracted condition; 3) inserting the end of said flexible tube having the first deformable retention element into the urethra; 4) conveying said tube into the urethra until the first retention element is extended into the bladder, while the second retention element is situated at the bulbous urethra, and while the valve is manually accessible to the patient at the exit end of the urethra; and 5) introducing fluid into the interstices until the foam cuff in each of the retention elements assumes an expanded condition such that the first retention element is restrained against the bladder sphincter and the second retention element is restrained against the bulbous urethra to prevent travel of the incontinence control device within the urethra.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
237 words
A method for inserting a trans-urethral incontinence control device into a patient, comprising the steps of: 1) providing an incontinence control device including a flexible tube having a first deformable retention element located at the end of said tube and a second deformable retention element in spaced relation with said first retention element, each of said retention elements comprising a foam cuff having interconnecting interstices and a deformable cover surrounding said cuff and engaged with said tube to form an air-tight seal about said foam cuff, and a valve regulating fluid flow through the tube; 2) evacuating said interstices in said foam cuff in each of said deformable retention elements until each of the retention elements assumes a contracted condition; 3) inserting the end of said flexible tube having the first deformable retention element into the urethra; 4) conveying said tube into the urethra until the first retention element is extended into the bladder, while the second retention element is situated at the bulbous urethra, and while the valve is manually accessible to the patient at the exit end of the urethra; and 5) introducing fluid into the interstices until the foam cuff in each of the retention elements assumes an expanded condition such that the first retention element is restrained against the bladder sphincter and the second retention element is restrained against the bulbous urethra to prevent travel of the incontinence control device within the urethra.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method of claim 19, wherein the step of conveying said tube into the urethra further comprises the steps of; contacting said flexible tube with a flexible pusher rod, said pusher rod at all times having a portion of the rod external to the body of the patient; and pushing said pusher rod so that the rod reacts against the flexible tube to convey said tube into the urethra.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
246 words
A method for operating an incontinence control valve, comprising the steps of: 1) providing an incontinence control device comprising a two-position valve situated at the exit end of the urethra and accessible by the patient in whom the device is inserted, said two-position having a channel with a first recess at one end of said channel in which a ball is seated when the valve is in a normally closed position, and with a second recess at the other end of said channel in which the ball is seated when the valve is in an open position; 2) manually manipulating the exterior of said two-position valve to unseat the ball from said first recess in the normally closed position; 3) manually manipulating the exterior of the valve to convey the ball along said channel from the first recess toward said second recess; 4) manually manipulating the exterior of the valve to seat the ball within said second recess to place the valve in the open position allowing fluid to flow from the incontinence control device during urination; 5) manually manipulating the exterior of the valve to unseat the ball from the second recess, once urination is complete; 6) manually manipulating the exterior of the valve ot convey the ball along the channel from the second recess toward the first recess; and 7) manually manipulating the exterior of the valve to seat the ball within the first recess to place the valve in the normally closed position.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
246 words
A method for operating an incontinence control valve, comprising the steps of: 1) providing an incontinence control device comprising a two-position valve situated at the exit end of the urethra and accessible by the patient in whom the device is inserted, said two-position having a channel with a first recess at one end of said channel in which a ball is seated when the valve is in a normally closed position, and with a second recess at the other end of said channel in which the ball is seated when the valve is in an open position; 2) manually manipulating the exterior of said two-position valve to unseat the ball from said first recess in the normally closed position; 3) manually manipulating the exterior of the valve to convey the ball along said channel from the first recess toward said second recess; 4) manually manipulating the exterior of the valve to seat the ball within said second recess to place the valve in the open position allowing fluid to flow from the incontinence control device during urination; 5) manually manipulating the exterior of the valve to unseat the ball from the second recess, once urination is complete; 6) manually manipulating the exterior of the valve ot convey the ball along the channel from the second recess toward the first recess; and 7) manually manipulating the exterior of the valve to seat the ball within the first recess to place the valve in the normally closed position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2784716A
Cited
US3812841A
Cited
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