Device for preventing fecal incontinence

• US 20010041823A1
• Filed: 01/25/2001
• Published: 11/15/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Harridan Medical Co.
• Original Assignee: Harridan Medical Co.
• Inventors: Fellows, Harriet A., Snyder, Daniel R.
• Granted Patent: US 6,491,623 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/31
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00805 Treatment of female stress urinary incontinence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/004 inflatable

Abstract

An implantable device for controlling a body conduit including a cuff portion adapted to substantially encircle a body conduit. An inlet tube is operatively connected for delivering fluid to the cuff portion. The inlet tube has a one-way valve. An outlet tube is operatively connected to the cuff portion for releasing fluid therefrom and includes a normally closed valve. A pumping reservoir is in communication with the inlet tube and the outlet tube, wherein manipulation of the pumping reservoir inflates the cuff portion and manipulation of the normally closed valve deflates the cuff portion. An inflatable lumen surrounds the pumping reservoir and the cuff portion to provide rigidity and balance pressure between the cuff portion and the pumping reservoir.

Claims

1. An implantable device for controlling the flow of matter through a body conduit of a patient, comprising:

a) a cuff portion configured to substantially encircle a section of a body conduit;

b) an inlet conduit operatively connected to the cuff portion for delivering fluid thereto, the inlet conduit having a first flow control device operatively associated therewith;

c) an outlet conduit operatively connected to the cuff portion for releasing fluid therefrom, the outlet conduit having a second flow control device operatively associated therewith;

d) a pumping reservoir in fluid communication with the inlet conduit and the outlet conduit, wherein actuation of the pumping reservoir causes fluid to ingress into the cuff portion such that the cuff portion radially contracts and actuation of the second flow control device causes fluid to egress from the cuff portion such that the cuff portion radially expands; and

e) a lumen surrounding the cuff portion for admitting a fluid to provide rigidity and balance pressure between the cuff portion and the pumping reservoir.

2. A device as recited in

claim 1

, further comprising a first injection port for injecting fluid into the lumen and a second injection port for injecting fluid into the pumping reservoir.

3. A device as recited in

claim 1

, wherein the second flow control device is a normally closed valve at least partially disposed within the pumping reservoir.

4. A device as recited in

claim 1

, wherein the cuff portion includes a plurality of continuous coils adapted to occlude the section of the body conduit.

5. A device as recited in

claim 1

, wherein the first flow control device is opened by a high pressure condition in the pumping reservoir and the second flow control device is selectively opened by the patient.

6. A device as recited in

claim 1

, wherein the lumen surrounds the pumping reservoir, the inlet conduit and the outlet conduit.

7. A device as recited in

claim 1

, further comprising grommets disposed on an outer circumference of the cuff portion to secure the cuff portion about the section of the body conduit.

8. An implantable device for reversibly closing a body passage comprising:

a) at least one coil including;

(i) a flexible inner housing adapted for movement between an inflated condition wherein the body passageway is blocked and a deflated condition wherein the body passageway is unblocked; and

(ii) an outer portion for providing structural support to the at least one coil and defining a lumen;

b) a port to inject fluid into the lumen for adjusting rigidity of the coil;

c) a reservoir for storing fluid to inflate and deflate the at least one coil; and

d) at least one tube, connecting the at least one coil to the reservoir, having at least one valve to prevent backflow of fluid from the at least one coil into the reservoir and to allow fluid to flow from the at least one coil into the reservoir.

9. A device as recited in

claim 8

, wherein the outer portion surrounds the at least one tube and the reservoir.

10. A device as recited in

claim 8

, wherein the at least one valve is a one way check valve in an inlet tube and a normally closed valve in an outlet tube.

11. A device as recited in

claim 8

, wherein the at least one tube includes a connector for coupling an additional length of tube.

12. A device as recited in

claim 8

, further comprising a second port to inject fluid into the reservoir for communication to and from the at lest one coil.

13. A device as recited in

claim 12

, wherein the fluid in the lumen and the fluid in the reservoir are selected from the group consisting of saline, saline with a dye, sterile water and sterile water with a dye.

14. An artificial sphincter for controlling incontinence comprising:

a cuff portion having an outer wall, an intermediate wall and a flexible inner wall, said outer wall and said intermediate wall defining a first lumen therebetween, said intermediate wall and said flexible inner wall defining a second lumen therebetween;

a pumping reservoir configured to conduct fluid for reversibly inflating said second lumen; and

at least one fluid conducting path in communication with the cuff and the pumping reservoir.

15. An artificial sphincter as recited in

claim 14

, further comprising a first injection port to inject a biocompatible fluid into the first lumen for adjusting rigidity of the cuff portion.

16. A device as recited in

claim 15

, further comprising a second port to inject a biocompatible fluid into the second lumen.

17. An artificial sphincter, comprising:

a) an inflatable cuff for occluding a body passageway, said inflatable cuff having an interior wall portion and an exterior wall portion, a first lumen defined between the exterior wall portion and the interior wall portion, and a second lumen defined by the interior wall portion; and

b) a pumping reservoir in fluid communication with the inflatable cuff for controlling the ingress and egress of fluid to and from the second lumen to cause the inflatable cuff to radially contract and expand relative to the body passageway.

18. An artificial sphincter as recited in

claim 17

, further comprising suture sites on an inner circumference of the inflatable cuff to anchor the inflatable in a position.

19. An artificial sphincter as recited in

claim 17

, further comprising grommets disposed on an outer circumference of the inflatable cuff for adjusting a fit of the inflatable cuff and for securing the inflatable in a position.