MULTI-FUNCTIONAL VALVE FOR USE IN THE URETHRA

• US 3,797,478 A
• Filed: 07/11/1972
• Issued: 03/19/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Edward F. Costigan, Michael Adrian Walsh
• Original Assignee: Edward F. Costigan, Michael Adrian Walsh
• Inventors: Walsh, Michael Adrian, Costigan, Edward F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Truluck, Dalton L.
• Application Number:
  US05/270,866
• Time in Patent Office: 616 Days
• Field of Search: 128/349R,349B,349BV,1R,DIG.25,285,129,344,325 251/5
• US Class Current: 600/29
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0027 inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/1002 characterised by balloon shape A61M25/1006, A61M25/1009 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/25 Artificial sphincters and devices for controlling urinary incontinence

Abstract

A valve adapted to be positioned in the channel of the urethra for the maintenance of such channel at a predetermined size in a substantially sterilized condition relative to bacteria, such valve controlling the flow of urine from the bladder through the channel of the urethra to the atmosphere.

Claims

1. A valving device adapted for placement in the channel of the urethra of a female for use in controlling the flow of urine from a bladder to the atmosphere by way of such channel, consisting essentially of:

a. a first flexible tube having solid sidewalls, an exterior surface and an interior surface of open-end construction, b. a second flexible tube having sidewalls provided with an exterior surface and an interior surface of open-end construction, 1. said sidewalls of said second tube being hollow between the latter surfaces, 2. said second tube inserted into said first tube and extending beyond both ends of said first tube, 3. said second tube secured in position in said first tube, and c. means provided on the portion of said second tube which extends beyond the end of said first tube for the inflation of the hollow area of such second tube, Whereby, (1) said second tube when inflated substantially closes the area circumscribed by the interior surface of said second tube except for a relatively thin longitudinal passageway formed by the abutting surface of said interioral surface of said second tube, and Whereby, (2) said second tube when inflated forming a circular collar surrounding each end of said first tube, said collars adapted to maintain said first tube in position in said urethra.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said first flexible tube is provided with sidewalls impregnated with bactericdal cations.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said sidewalls are made from a flexible plastic such as polyvinyl ethylene.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said second tube is made of inflatable material, such as plastic or rubber.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the exterioral circumference of said first tube in individual units lies uniformly between 10 mm and 36 mm in circumference.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the uniform length of said first tube lies between 2 cm to 4 cms.