URINARY INCONTINENCE DEVICE

• US 20110028778A1
• Filed: 07/28/2010
• Published: 02/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Life360 Innovations LLC
• Original Assignee: 0884543 B.C. Ltd.
• Inventors: Kunz, Kenneth
• Granted Patent: US 9,707,065 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/29
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0009 placed in or outside the body opening close to the surface of the body plugging an opening in the wall of a hollow or tubular organ A61B17/0057
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0013 inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0022 placed deep in the body opening occluding blood vessels by internal devices A61B17/12022
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/005 with pressure applied to urethra by an element placed in the vagina
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0039 differing in diameter

Abstract

A urinary incontinence device for insertion in a urethra of a user. The device includes a non-absorbent body having an outer surface, the body having a leading end and a trailing end; a removal mechanism having a first end attached to the body and a portion of the removal mechanism located outside the user; a portion of the body having a generally bulbous shape for positioning within the urethra and providing a seal within the urethra preventing urinary leakage from the urethra; and a coating applied to the outer surface of the body for engaging a wall of the urethra and securing the device within the urethra of the user. Another embodiment relates to a method of controlling urinary incontinence comprising: engaging an applicator with the body of the device and introducing into the urethra the device wherein the device is positioned in the user'"'"'s bulbar urethra.

Claims

1. A urinary incontinence device for insertion in a urethra of a user, said device comprising:

a non-absorbent body having an outer surface, said body having a leading end and a trailing end;

a removal mechanism having a first end attached to said body, wherein a portion of said removal mechanism is located outside said user;

a portion of said body having a generally bulbous shape, said portion for positioning within said urethra and providing a seal within said urethra preventing urinary leakage from said urethra; and

a coating applied to said outer surface of said body, said coating for engaging a wall of said urethra and securing said device within the urethra of said user.

2. A urinary incontinence device according to claim 1, wherein said device further comprising a groove extending along a length of said leading end of said body.

3. A urinary incontinence device according to claim 1, wherein said device further comprising an applicator for inserting said device within said urethra.

4. A urinary incontinence device according to claim 3, wherein said applicator having a channel extending along a length of said applicator for engaging said removal mechanism.

5. A urinary incontinence device according to claim 3, wherein said applicator having a first end for engaging said trailing portion of said body.

6. A urinary incontinence device according to claim 5, wherein said trailing end further comprises a socket for engaging said first end of said applicator.

7. A urinary incontinence device according to claim 1, wherein said removal mechanism further comprising a holding member at a second end of said removal mechanism.

8. A urinary incontinence device according to claim 7, wherein said device further comprising an applicator for inserting said device within said urethra.

9. A urinary incontinence device according to claim 8, wherein said applicator having a channel extending along a length of said applicator for engaging said removal mechanism.

10. A urinary incontinence device according to claim 8, wherein said applicator having a first end for engaging said trailing portion of said body.

11. A urinary incontinence device according to claim 10, wherein said trailing end further comprises a socket for engaging said first end of said applicator.

12. A urinary incontinence device according to claim 8, wherein said applicator having a second end for engaging said holding member.

13. A urinary incontinence device according to claim 1, wherein said coating is selected from the group comprising latex, silicone and combinations thereof.

14. A urinary incontinence device according to claim 1, wherein said device is single use.

15. A urinary incontinence device according to claim 1, wherein said device is reusable.

16. A urinary incontinence device according to claim 1, wherein said leading end is tapered to permit insertion of said device into the urethra.

17. A method of controlling urinary incontinence comprising:

a) engaging a first end of an applicator with the trailing end of the urinary incontinence device according to claim 1, wherein said removal mechanism extends along a length of said applicator; and

b) introducing into the urethra said urinary incontinence device, wherein said device is positioned in said user'"'"'s bulbar urethra.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein said device further comprising a groove extending along a length of said leading end of said body.

19. A method according to claim 17, wherein said applicator having a channel extending along a length of said applicator for engaging said removal mechanism.

20. A method according to claim 17, wherein said trailing end further comprises a socket for engaging said first end of said applicator.

21. A method according to claim 17, wherein said removal mechanism further comprising a holding member at a second end of said removal mechanism.

22. A method according to claim 21, wherein said applicator having a second end for engaging said holding member.

23. A method according to claim 17, wherein said coating is selected from the group comprising latex, silicone and combinations thereof.

24. A method according to claim 17, wherein said device is single use.

25. A method according to claim 17, wherein said device is reusable.

26. A method according to claim 17, wherein said leading end is tapered to permit insertion of said device into the urethra.

27. A urinary incontinence device according to claim 1, wherein said leading end, said trailing end and said portion are removably coupled to one another.