URETHRAL PROSTHESIS

• US 3,789,828 A
• Filed: 09/01/1972
• Issued: 02/05/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bonny Kenneth, Mentor Corporation (Johnson & Johnson), Stephen B. Paige
• Original Assignee: Rudolf R. Schulte
• Inventors: Schulte, Rudolf R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Trapp, Lawrence W.
• Application Number:
  US05/285,637
• Time in Patent Office: 522 Days
• Field of Search: 128/1R,334R,DIG.25 3/1,36
• US Class Current: 600/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/004 inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/25 Artificial sphincters and devices for controlling urinary incontinence

Abstract

A prosthesis to resist the flow of urine through the urethra, which comprises a fluid-impervious, flexible and deformable capsule having a gel-filled, or gel and liquid-filled cavity therein. A cover encapsulates the capsule, and two flexible sling ties extend beyond the cover. The material of the cover and of the ties is such as to enhance fiber ingrowth into openings formed by the material, whereby mechanically to stabilize the prosthesis when it is implanted in the human body.

Claims

2. A prosthesis according to claim 1 in which the sling is a continuous ribbon attached to the outside surface of said portion of greater thickness, the flexible ribbon passing through the cover to form the ties.

3. A prosthesis according to claim 2 in which the capsule has a portion of greater thickness and a portion of lesser thickness, the portion of lesser thickness being adapted to bear against the urethra and being the part made of material which is inherently resilient, and the portion of greater thickness being sufficiently thick and stiff enough to close a track made by a needle which had penetrated it and then been withdrawn.

4. A prosthesis according to claim 3 in which the portion of lesser thickness is dome-shaped, and has an opening therein, and in which the region of greater thickness is substantially flat, and extends across and closes said opening, and includes a mesh reinforcement.

5. A prosthesis according to claim 1 in which the capsule is made entirely of silicone elastomer, the cover is made of polyurethane Open cell foam, and the sling is made of a loop pile material.

6. A prosthesis according to claim 5 in which the loop pile material is made of Dacron.

7. A prosthesis according to claim 1 in which the gel is silicone gel.

8. A prosthesis according to claim 7 in which the capsule is made entirely of silicone elastomer, the cover is made of polyurethane open cell foam, and the sling is made of a loop pile material.

9. A prosthesis according to claim 8 in which the loop pile material is made of Dacron.

10. A prosthesis according to claim 8 in which the capsule has a portion of greater thickness and a portion of lesser thickness, the portion of lesser thickness being adapted to bear against the urethra and being the part made of material which is inherently resilient, and the portion of greater thickness being sufficiently thick and still enough to close a track made by a needle which had penetrated it and then been withdrawn.

11. A prosthesis according to claim 10 in which the portion of lesser thickness is dome-shaped, and has an opening therein, and in which the region of greater thickness is relatively flat, and extends across and closes said opening, and includes a mesh reinforcement.

12. A prosthesis according to claim 11 in which the sling is a continuous ribbon attached to the outside surface of said portion of greater thickness, the flexible ribbon passing through the cover to form the ties.

13. A prosthesis according to claim 12 in which the sling is made of a loop pile material.

14. A prosthesis according to claim 1 in which the ties are ribbon-shaped.

15. A prosthesis according to claim 14 is which the ties are made of a loop pile material.

16. A prosthesis according to claim 15 in which the loop pile material is made of dacron.

17. A prosthesis according to claim 1 in which the capsule is substantially circular in plan view, has a substantially flat base surface from which the ties extend, and a dome-shaped pressure surface symmetrical around an axis normal to the base surface.