Endourethral device & method

• US 20020107540A1
• Filed: 01/23/2002
• Published: 08/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SRS Medical Systems, LLC
• Original Assignee: AbbeyMoor Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: Willard, Lloyd K., Reid, John M., Whalen, Mark J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,108,655 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/192
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/1085 Bladder
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/1089 Urethra
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0017 specially adapted for long-term hygiene care, e.g. urethral or indwelling catheters to prevent infections
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2121/006 for illumination or simulation of snowy or iced items, e.g. icicle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/25 Artificial sphincters and devices for controlling urinary incontinence

Abstract

An endourethral device is provided having an elongate member having proximal and distal segments, the elongate member positionable within a lower urinary tract so as to at least partially traverses a prostatic urethra. A proximal anchor, adapted to abuttingly engage portions of a bladder neck so as to at least proximally anchor the device, is supported at least indirectly by the proximal segment of said elongate member. The proximal anchor includes bladder engaging elements radially extending from the proximal segment of said elongate member, urine being freely dischargable about at least the proximal segment so as to substantially bathe the bladder neck therewith.

Claims

1. An endourethral device comprising:

a. a proximal anchor adapted to abuttingly engage a bladder neck so as to at least proximally anchor said device, said proximal anchor including a body and bladder engaging elements radially extending therefrom, urine being freely dischargable about an exterior surface of said body so as to substantially bathe the bladder neck therewith;

b. a distal anchor adapted to engage portions of a bulbous urethra so as to at least distally anchor said device; and

, c. an elongate member interposed between said proximal and distal anchors, said device being anchorable within a lower urinary tract such that said elongate member at least partially traverses a prostatic urethra.

2. The endourethral device of claim 1 wherein said bladder engaging elements of said proximal anchor are circumferentially spaced apart.

3. The endourethral device of claim 1 wherein said bladder engaging elements of said proximal anchor are circumferentially spaced apart about said exterior surface of said body.

4. The endourethral device of claim 3 wherein said bladder engaging elements of said proximal anchor are opposingly paired.

5. The endourethral device of claim 3 wherein said bladder engaging elements of said proximal anchor are resilient.

6. The endourethral device of claim 5 wherein said bladder engaging elements of said proximal anchor are reversibly expandable.

7. The endourethral device of claim 6 wherein said bladder engaging elements of said proximal anchor comprise opposingly paired balloons.

8. The endourethral device of claim 2 wherein said proximal anchor further includes at least a pair of urine flow channels, each of said channels delimited by adjacent bladder engaging elements.

9. The endourethral device of claim 1 wherein said distal anchor includes a body and urethral engaging elements extending therefrom.

10. The endourethral device of claim 9 wherein said urethral engaging elements of said distal anchor are circumferentially spaced apart.

11. The endourethral device of claim 10 wherein said urethral engaging elements of said distal anchor radially extend therefrom.

12. The endourethral device of claim 10 wherein said distal anchor further includes at least a pair of urine flow channels, each of said channels delimited by adjacent urethral engaging elements.

13. The endourethral device of claim 9 wherein said distal anchor is joined to a distal portion of said support member by a tensile member.

14. The endourethral device of claim 9 wherein said distal anchor tapers towards a distal end thereof.

15. The endourethral device of claim 14 wherein said distal anchor has a planar cross-section.

16. The endourethral device of claim 15 wherein said distal anchor is tethered to a distal portion of said support member.

17. The endourethral device of claim 9 wherein said distal anchor comprises at least a single resilient strut.

19. The endourethral device of claim 18 further comprising a distal anchor adapted to engage portions of a bulbous urethra so as to at least distally anchor said device, said distal anchor supported by at least a portion of said distal segment of said elongate element.

18. An endourethral device comprising:

a. an elongate structure having proximal and distal segments, said elongate member positionable within a lower urinary tract so as to at least partially traverses a prostatic urethra; and

,

b. a proximal anchor adapted to abuttingly engage portions of a bladder neck so as to at least proximally anchor said device, '"'"'said proximal anchor supported at least indirectly by said proximal segment of said elongate member, said proximal anchor comprising bladder engaging elements radially extending from said proximal segment of said elongate member, urine being freely dischargable about said exterior surface of said proximal surface so as to substantially bathe the bladder neck therewith.

20. A urethral stent comprising a rigid element positionable to support a portion of a lower urinary tract, and distal and proximal anchor elements extending from opposing ends of said rigid element, said proximal anchor element being receivable adjacent a bladder neck, said proximal and distal anchors having cross sections permitting free passage of urine around said urethral stent

21. In an endourethral device, a mechanically expandable anchor element comprising a hub and at least a pair of struts radially extending therefrom for discrete engagement with portions of a urethra such that urine unencumberedly passes therethrough and thereby.