Patent US3863622A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3863622A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Incontinence system and methods of implanting and using same
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1973-01-09
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Granted: 1975-02-04
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Expires: 1993-01-09
Abstract
Abstract An inflatable cuff unit has an expansible chamber formed by a readily deformable wall and a relatively rigid wall. The relatively rigid wall contains a number of threads or cords embedded therein with projecting end portions that are tied together when the cuff is implanted in an encircling relation with an excretory vessel within a person''s body. The deformable wall is placed against the vessel to be controlled. Also implanted is a reservoir containing a radio-opaque fluid. Strategically located elastomeric bulbs are disposed innerjacent the skin, together with internally located check valves and appropriate connecting tubes, enable the user to squeeze the proper bulb, doing so through his skin, so as to pump fluid to and from the cuff. When the cuff is under pressure, it acts in a manner resembling the sphincter surrounding the urethra when the urethra constitutes the vessel to be controlled A basically similar cuff may be used for gastro intestinal tract control.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Enno Buuck
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 22:50
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/0004; A61F2/0031; A61F2/0036; A61F2/004; A61F2250/00; A61F2250/0058; A61F2250/0096; A61F2250/0098; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S128/00; Y10S128/25; Y10S128/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
366 words
A method of implanting an incontinence system in an animal body comprising the steps of placing at one location within said body a cuff device having a deformable wall so that said wall resides in a proximal relation with a vessel having a passage extending therethrough which passage is to be opened and closed, placing at a second location within said body a pump bulb having fluid communication with said cuff device, said second location being spaced from said first location and sufficiently near the inner surface of the animal''s skin so that said bulb can be squeezed through the skin to force fluid under pressure into said cuff device, placing at a third location within said body spaced from said second location a reservoir having fluid communication with said pump bulb for storing at least some of said fluid which is to be pumped into said cuff device by the squeezing of said bulb, placing a first check valve between said reservoir and said pump bulb and a second check valve between said pump bulb and said cuff device, said first check valve permitting fluid flow only from said reservoir to said pump bulb and said second check valve permitting fluid flow only from said pump bulb to said cuff device, placing within said body a second pump bulb at still another location spaced from said cuff device and from said first pump bulb, and also third and fourth check valves, said third check valve being between said cuff device and said second pump bulb and said fourth check valve being between said pump bulb and said reservoir, said third check valve permitting fluid flow only from said cuff to said second pump bulb and said fourth check valve permitting fluid flow only from said second pump bulb to said reservoir, each check valve including a plug member and a coil spring urging its said plug member in a direction to prevent fluid flow, the coil spring in said second check valve having a greater strength than the spring in said fourth check valve, and said spring in said fourth valve having a greater strength than the springs in said first and third check valves.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
366 words
A method of implanting an incontinence system in an animal body comprising the steps of placing at one location within said body a cuff device having a deformable wall so that said wall resides in a proximal relation with a vessel having a passage extending therethrough which passage is to be opened and closed, placing at a second location within said body a pump bulb having fluid communication with said cuff device, said second location being spaced from said first location and sufficiently near the inner surface of the animal''s skin so that said bulb can be squeezed through the skin to force fluid under pressure into said cuff device, placing at a third location within said body spaced from said second location a reservoir having fluid communication with said pump bulb for storing at least some of said fluid which is to be pumped into said cuff device by the squeezing of said bulb, placing a first check valve between said reservoir and said pump bulb and a second check valve between said pump bulb and said cuff device, said first check valve permitting fluid flow only from said reservoir to said pump bulb and said second check valve permitting fluid flow only from said pump bulb to said cuff device, placing within said body a second pump bulb at still another location spaced from said cuff device and from said first pump bulb, and also third and fourth check valves, said third check valve being between said cuff device and said second pump bulb and said fourth check valve being between said pump bulb and said reservoir, said third check valve permitting fluid flow only from said cuff to said second pump bulb and said fourth check valve permitting fluid flow only from said second pump bulb to said reservoir, each check valve including a plug member and a coil spring urging its said plug member in a direction to prevent fluid flow, the coil spring in said second check valve having a greater strength than the spring in said fourth check valve, and said spring in said fourth valve having a greater strength than the springs in said first and third check valves.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method set forth in claim 1 in which each plug member has a generally cylindrical portion against which its said coil spring acts and a tapered end portion for preventing said fluid flow.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method set forth in claim 2 in which each check valve has a generally circular seat against which a tapered end portion bears to prevent said fluid flow.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
279 words
A method of implanting an incontinence system in the body of an animal in order to thereafter control the opening and closing of a biologically provided urethra comprising the steps of applying a cuff unit having an inwardly deformable wall and a relatively rigid outer wall in a circumscribing relationship with the urethra, implanting pump means including a pair of elastomeric bulbs within said body at locations innerjacent the skin so that fluid under pressure can thereafter be delivered into said cuff unit in order to cause said deformable wall to be flexed inwardly to reduce the cross section of said urethra, implanting in said animal body reservoir means for storing some of the fluid to be delivered to and withdrawn from said cuff unit by said pump means, and also implanting valve means for controlling thE direction of fluid flow when said pump means is later actuated, said valve means including a first check valve for permitting fluid to flow only from said reservoir to one of said bulbs, a second check valve for permitting fluid to flow only from said one bulb to said cuff unit, a third check valve for permitting fluid to flow only from said cuff unit to the other of said bulbs, and a fourth check valve for permitting fluid to flow only from said other bulb to said reservoir means, said fourth check valve providing a greater resistance to flow than said third check valve, said second check valve providing a greater resistance to flow than said fourth check valve, and said first and third check valves providing a lesser resistance to fluid flow to both said second and fourth check valves.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
279 words
A method of implanting an incontinence system in the body of an animal in order to thereafter control the opening and closing of a biologically provided urethra comprising the steps of applying a cuff unit having an inwardly deformable wall and a relatively rigid outer wall in a circumscribing relationship with the urethra, implanting pump means including a pair of elastomeric bulbs within said body at locations innerjacent the skin so that fluid under pressure can thereafter be delivered into said cuff unit in order to cause said deformable wall to be flexed inwardly to reduce the cross section of said urethra, implanting in said animal body reservoir means for storing some of the fluid to be delivered to and withdrawn from said cuff unit by said pump means, and also implanting valve means for controlling thE direction of fluid flow when said pump means is later actuated, said valve means including a first check valve for permitting fluid to flow only from said reservoir to one of said bulbs, a second check valve for permitting fluid to flow only from said one bulb to said cuff unit, a third check valve for permitting fluid to flow only from said cuff unit to the other of said bulbs, and a fourth check valve for permitting fluid to flow only from said other bulb to said reservoir means, said fourth check valve providing a greater resistance to flow than said third check valve, said second check valve providing a greater resistance to flow than said fourth check valve, and said first and third check valves providing a lesser resistance to fluid flow to both said second and fourth check valves.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
195 words
An incontinence system for implanting within an animal body comprising an inflatable cuff unit for circumscribing the vessel to be opened and closed, a reservoir for storing at least some of the fluid to be supplied to said cuff unit, a pair of elastomeric bulbs, a first check valve connected between said reservoir and one of said pump bulbs for permitting fluid flow only from said reservoir to said one pump bulb, a second check valve between said one pump bulb and said cuff unit for permitting fluid flow only between said one pump bulb and said cuff unit, a third check valve for permitting fluid flow only between said cuff unit and the other of said pump bulbs, a fourth check valve for permitting fluid flow only from said other pump bulb to said reservoir, a coil spring contained in each of said check valves, said fourth check valve containing a coil spring having a greater spring constant than the coil springs contained in said first and third check valves, and the coil spring in said second check valve having a greater spring constant than the coil spring contained in said fourth check valve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
195 words
An incontinence system for implanting within an animal body comprising an inflatable cuff unit for circumscribing the vessel to be opened and closed, a reservoir for storing at least some of the fluid to be supplied to said cuff unit, a pair of elastomeric bulbs, a first check valve connected between said reservoir and one of said pump bulbs for permitting fluid flow only from said reservoir to said one pump bulb, a second check valve between said one pump bulb and said cuff unit for permitting fluid flow only between said one pump bulb and said cuff unit, a third check valve for permitting fluid flow only between said cuff unit and the other of said pump bulbs, a fourth check valve for permitting fluid flow only from said other pump bulb to said reservoir, a coil spring contained in each of said check valves, said fourth check valve containing a coil spring having a greater spring constant than the coil springs contained in said first and third check valves, and the coil spring in said second check valve having a greater spring constant than the coil spring contained in said fourth check valve.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
1100 words
An incontinence system for implanting within an animal body comprising a cuff unit for circumscribingly engaging the vessel to be opened and closed, said cuff unit having an inwardly deformable wall and a relatively rigid outer wall to form a chamber therebetween, a reservoir for storing at least some of the fluid to be supplied to the chamber of said cuff unit, a pair of elastomeric bulbs, a first check valve including therein a plug member having a tapered end portion, a first flexible tube connected to said reservoir and to said check valve, said first check valve including a coil spring having one spring constant for biasing said plug member in a direction to cause its said tapered end portion to seat against the end of said first flexible tube which is connected to said first check valve to prevent fluid flow from said first check valve to said first flexible tube, a second flexible tube connected to said first check valve and to one of said elastomeric bulbs, a second check valve including therein a plug member having a tapered end portion, a third flexible tube connected to said one elastomeric bulb and to said second check valve, said second check valve including a coil spring having a spring constant which is greater than that of the spring included in said first check valve, said last-mentioned spring biasing the plug member of said second check valve in a direction to cause its tapered end portion to seat against the end of said third flexible tube which is connected to said second check valve to prevent fluid flow from said second check valve to said third flexible tube, a fourth flexible tube connected to said second check valve and to said cuff unit, a third check valve including therein a plug member having a tapered end portion, a fifth flexible tube connected to said cuff unit and to said third check valve, said third check valve including a coil spring having a spring constant corresponding to that of the spring included in said first check valve, said last-mentioned spring biasing the plug member of said third check valve in a direction to cause its tapered end portioN to seat against the end of said fifth flexible tube which is connected to said third check valve to prevent fluid flow from said third check valve to the said cuff unit, a sixth flexible tube connected to said third check valve and to the other of said pair of elastomeric bulbs, a fourth check valve including therein a plug member having a tapered end portion, a seventh flexible tube connected to said other elastomeric bulb and to said fourth check valve, said fourth check valve including a coil spring having a spring constant greater than the spring included in said first and third check valves but less than that of the spring included in said second check valve, said last-mentioned spring biasing the plug member of said fourth check valve in a direction to cause its tapered end portion to seat against the end of said seventh flexible tube which is connected to said fourth check valve to prevent fluid flow from said fourth check valve to said seventh tube, and an eighth flexible tube connected to said fourth check valve and to said reservoir, whereby manipulation or squeezing of said one elastomeric bulb will cause the tapered end portion of the plub member included in said first check valve to seat more tightly against said first flexible tube and to cause fluid to be forced from said one elastomeric bulb through said third flexible tube to overcome the biasing action of the coil spring included in the second check valve, thereby causing the tapered end portion of the plug member included in said second check valve to unseat to permit fluid to flow through said second check valve into the chamber of said cuff unit, the unsqueezing of said one elastomeric bulb causing fluid to be drawn from said reservoir through said first and second tubes, the coil spring included in said first check valve at this time yielding to permit the unseating of the tapered end portion of the plug member included in said first check valve, the tapered end portion of the plug member included in said second check valve at this time seating against the third tube to prevent fluid flow from said cuff unit back through said second check valve into the said one elastomeric bulb, the coil spring included in said fourth check valve during the squeezing of said one bulb determining the amount of pressure that can be built up in the chamber of said cuff unit, and whereby squeezing of the other of said elastomeric bulbs overcomes the biasing action of the coil spring included in said fourth check valve to cause the tapered end portion of the plug member included in said fourth check valve to unseat from said seventh flexible tube, the tapered end portion of the plug member included in said third check valve during this period seating against said fifth flexible tube to prevent fluid flow from the said other elastomeric bulb back through said sixth and fifth tubes, the unsqueezing of said other elastomeric bulb causing the tapered end portion of the plug member included in said third check valve to unseat and permit fluid to flow from said cuff unit into said other elastomeric bulb and the coil spring included in said fourth check valve biasing the plug member included in said fourth check valve in a direction to cause its tapered end portion to seat against said seventh tube, the repetitive squeezing and unsqueezing of said one elastomeric bulb thus causing said cuff unit to inflate with said inner wall portion being deformed against the vessel in a constricting manner to thereby close said vessel and the repetitive squeezing and unsqueezing of said other elastomeric bulb permitting said inner wall portion causing said cuff unit to deflate with said inner wall then releasing its constrictive action against said vessel and thereby open said vessel, the spring included in said second check valve which has the greatest spring constant of the four springs, biasing the plug member included in said second check valve in a direction to cause its tapered end portion to seat against said third flexible tube and thus prevEnt fluid from flowing from said third tube through said second check valve into said fourth tube and thus prevent fluid from flowing into the chamber of said cuff unit when said cuff unit is deflated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
1100 words
An incontinence system for implanting within an animal body comprising a cuff unit for circumscribingly engaging the vessel to be opened and closed, said cuff unit having an inwardly deformable wall and a relatively rigid outer wall to form a chamber therebetween, a reservoir for storing at least some of the fluid to be supplied to the chamber of said cuff unit, a pair of elastomeric bulbs, a first check valve including therein a plug member having a tapered end portion, a first flexible tube connected to said reservoir and to said check valve, said first check valve including a coil spring having one spring constant for biasing said plug member in a direction to cause its said tapered end portion to seat against the end of said first flexible tube which is connected to said first check valve to prevent fluid flow from said first check valve to said first flexible tube, a second flexible tube connected to said first check valve and to one of said elastomeric bulbs, a second check valve including therein a plug member having a tapered end portion, a third flexible tube connected to said one elastomeric bulb and to said second check valve, said second check valve including a coil spring having a spring constant which is greater than that of the spring included in said first check valve, said last-mentioned spring biasing the plug member of said second check valve in a direction to cause its tapered end portion to seat against the end of said third flexible tube which is connected to said second check valve to prevent fluid flow from said second check valve to said third flexible tube, a fourth flexible tube connected to said second check valve and to said cuff unit, a third check valve including therein a plug member having a tapered end portion, a fifth flexible tube connected to said cuff unit and to said third check valve, said third check valve including a coil spring having a spring constant corresponding to that of the spring included in said first check valve, said last-mentioned spring biasing the plug member of said third check valve in a direction to cause its tapered end portioN to seat against the end of said fifth flexible tube which is connected to said third check valve to prevent fluid flow from said third check valve to the said cuff unit, a sixth flexible tube connected to said third check valve and to the other of said pair of elastomeric bulbs, a fourth check valve including therein a plug member having a tapered end portion, a seventh flexible tube connected to said other elastomeric bulb and to said fourth check valve, said fourth check valve including a coil spring having a spring constant greater than the spring included in said first and third check valves but less than that of the spring included in said second check valve, said last-mentioned spring biasing the plug member of said fourth check valve in a direction to cause its tapered end portion to seat against the end of said seventh flexible tube which is connected to said fourth check valve to prevent fluid flow from said fourth check valve to said seventh tube, and an eighth flexible tube connected to said fourth check valve and to said reservoir, whereby manipulation or squeezing of said one elastomeric bulb will cause the tapered end portion of the plub member included in said first check valve to seat more tightly against said first flexible tube and to cause fluid to be forced from said one elastomeric bulb through said third flexible tube to overcome the biasing action of the coil spring included in the second check valve, thereby causing the tapered end portion of the plug member included in said second check valve to unseat to permit fluid to flow through said second check valve into the chamber of said cuff unit, the unsqueezing of said one elastomeric bulb causing fluid to be drawn from said reservoir through said first and second tubes, the coil spring included in said first check valve at this time yielding to permit the unseating of the tapered end portion of the plug member included in said first check valve, the tapered end portion of the plug member included in said second check valve at this time seating against the third tube to prevent fluid flow from said cuff unit back through said second check valve into the said one elastomeric bulb, the coil spring included in said fourth check valve during the squeezing of said one bulb determining the amount of pressure that can be built up in the chamber of said cuff unit, and whereby squeezing of the other of said elastomeric bulbs overcomes the biasing action of the coil spring included in said fourth check valve to cause the tapered end portion of the plug member included in said fourth check valve to unseat from said seventh flexible tube, the tapered end portion of the plug member included in said third check valve during this period seating against said fifth flexible tube to prevent fluid flow from the said other elastomeric bulb back through said sixth and fifth tubes, the unsqueezing of said other elastomeric bulb causing the tapered end portion of the plug member included in said third check valve to unseat and permit fluid to flow from said cuff unit into said other elastomeric bulb and the coil spring included in said fourth check valve biasing the plug member included in said fourth check valve in a direction to cause its tapered end portion to seat against said seventh tube, the repetitive squeezing and unsqueezing of said one elastomeric bulb thus causing said cuff unit to inflate with said inner wall portion being deformed against the vessel in a constricting manner to thereby close said vessel and the repetitive squeezing and unsqueezing of said other elastomeric bulb permitting said inner wall portion causing said cuff unit to deflate with said inner wall then releasing its constrictive action against said vessel and thereby open said vessel, the spring included in said second check valve which has the greatest spring constant of the four springs, biasing the plug member included in said second check valve in a direction to cause its tapered end portion to seat against said third flexible tube and thus prevEnt fluid from flowing from said third tube through said second check valve into said fourth tube and thus prevent fluid from flowing into the chamber of said cuff unit when said cuff unit is deflated.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-02-03 | 1978-08-05 | 1979-02-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-03 | 1982-08-05 | 1983-02-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-03 | 1986-08-05 | 1987-02-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |