Device and method for measuring urethral angle

• US 20070249966A1
• Filed: 04/19/2006
• Published: 10/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Mark Hunter
• Original Assignee: Mark Hunter
• Inventors: Hunter, Mark
• Application Number:
  US11/406,628
• Publication Number:
  US 20070249966A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/587
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1071 measuring angles, e.g. using goniometers A61B5/1123 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6867 specially adapted to be attached or implanted in a specific body part A61B5/6847 takes precedence

Abstract

A medical device for measuring the angular deviation of an elongated insertion instrument inserted into an urethra and method for determining the condition of the pelvic floor of a patient. It includes a channel adapted to receive an elongated insertion instrument along a longitudinal access and an indicator to measure an angular deviation along a longitudinal axis from a reference axis. The medical device may also include an elongated insertion instrument inserted along the longitudinal access of its channel. A method for determining the condition of the pelvic floor of a patient by inserting the medical device into the urethra of a patient, reading a first angular deviation from a reference axis, instructing the patient to strain or cough, and reading a second angular deviation from a reference axis. The difference in first and second angular deviation measures the degree of prolapse of the urethrovesical junction of the patient.

Claims

1. A medical device, comprising:

(a) a channel adapted to receive an elongated insertion instrument along a longitudinal axis of said channel; and

(b) an indicator adapted to indicate an angular deviation of said longitudinal axis of said channel from a reference axis.

2. The medical device of claim 1, wherein said reference axis is oriented substantially horizontal.

3. The medical device of claim 1, wherein said indicator comprises:

(a) a scale to indicate a range of angular deviations; and

(b) a pointer suspended about a pivot region, and adapted to point to said indicated angular deviation of said longitudinal axis of said channel from said reference axis.

4. The medical device of claim 3, wherein said pointer indicates an angular deviation of approximately zero when said longitudinal axis of said channel is substantially the same as said reference axis.

5. The medical device of claim 3, wherein said range of angular deviation extends from −

90 to +90 degrees.

6. The medical device of claim 3, wherein said range of angular deviation extends from approximately 180 degrees.

7. The medical device of claim 1, wherein said indicator comprises:

(a) a scale to indicate a range of angular deviations, wherein said scale is suspended about a pivot region; and

(b) a pointer adapted to point to said indicated angular deviation of said longitudinal axis of said channel from said reference axis.

8. The medical device of claim 7, wherein said pointer points to an angular deviation of approximately zero when said longitudinal axis of said channel is substantially the same as said reference axis.

9. The medical device of claim 7, wherein said indicator further comprises a counterbalance located on the opposite side of said indicator on said elongated insertion instrument.

10. The medical device of claim 7, wherein said range of angular deviation extends from −

90 to +90 degrees.

11. The medical device of claim 7, wherein said range of angular deviation extends from approximately 180 degrees.

12. A medical device, comprising:

(a) an elongated insertion instrument;

(b) a channel through which said elongated insertion instrument is inserted along a longitudinal axis of said channel; and

(c) an indicator adapted to indicate an angular deviation of said longitudinal axis of said channel from a reference axis.

13. The medical device of claim 12, wherein said elongated insertion instrument is adapted to be inserted into a urethra of a subject.

14. The medical device of claim 12, wherein said elongated insertion instrument comprises a cotton swab situated at a distal end thereof.

15. The medical device of claim 14, wherein said indicator is situated at a proximal end of said elongated insertion instrument.

16. The medical device of claim 12, wherein said reference axis is oriented substantially horizontal.

17. The medical device of claim 12, wherein said indicator comprises:

(a) a scale to indicate a range of angular deviations; and

(b) a pointer suspended about a pivot region, and adapted to point to said indicated angular deviation of said longitudinal axis of said channel from said reference axis.

18. The medical device of claim 17, wherein said pointer indicates an angular deviation of approximately zero when said longitudinal axis of said channel is substantially the same as said reference axis.

19. The medical device of claim 17, wherein said range of angular deviation extends from −

90 to +90 degrees.

20. The medical device of claim 17, wherein said range of angular deviation extends from approximately 180 degrees.

21. The medical device of claim 12, wherein said indicator comprises:

(a) a scale to indicate a range of angular deviations, wherein said scale is suspended about a pivot region; and

(b) a pointer adapted to point to said indicated angular deviation of said longitudinal axis of said channel from said reference axis.

22. The medical device of claim 21, wherein said pointer points to an angular deviation of approximately zero when said longitudinal axis of said channel is substantially the same as said reference axis.

23. The medical device of claim 21, wherein said indicator further comprises a counterbalance located on the opposite side of said indicator on said elongated insertion instrument.

24. The medical device of claim 21, wherein said range of angular deviation extends from −

90 to +90 degrees.

25. The medical device of claim 21, wherein said range of angular deviation extends from approximately 180 degrees.

26. A method of measuring a degree of prolapse of an urethrovesical junction of a subject, comprising:

(a) inserting an elongated insertion instrument into a urethra of said subject;

(b) reading an indicator on said elongated insertion instrument while said subject is at rest, wherein said indicator indicates a first angular deviation of a longitudinal axis of said elongated insertion instrument from a reference axis;

(c) instructing said subject to perform a Valsalva maneuver; and

(d) reading said indicator on said elongated insertion instrument while said subject is straining or coughing, wherein said indicator indicates a second angular deviation of said longitudinal axis of said elongated insertion instrument from said reference axis;

wherein a difference between said first angular deviation and said second angular deviation is a measure of said degree of prolapse of said urethrovesical junction of a subject.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein said inserting said elongated insertion instrument comprises inserting said elongated insertion instrument to approximately a junction between said urethra and a bladder.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein said elongated insertion instrument comprises a cotton swab situated at a distal end thereof.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein said indicator is situated at a proximal end of said elongated insertion instrument.

30. The method of claim 26, wherein said indicator comprises:

(a) a scale to indicate a range of angular deviations; and

(b) a pointer suspended about a pivot region, and adapted to point to said indicated angular deviation of said longitudinal axis of said channel from said reference axis.

31. The method of claim 26, wherein said indicator comprises:

(a) a scale to indicate a range of angular deviations, wherein said scale is suspended about a pivot region; and

(b) a pointer adapted to point to said indicated angular deviation of said longitudinal axis of said channel from said reference axis.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein said indicator further comprises a counterbalance located on the opposite side of said indicator on said elongated insertion instrument.