Device and method for determining the length of a urethra
First Claim
1. A device for determining the length of a urethra comprising:
- a hollow member having an expandable portion at a first end and a length greater than the length of the urethra to be measured;
wherein said hollow member further includes a plurality of beads spaced equally apart from one another in a pre-defined pattern, each of the plurality of beads being located a prespecified distance from the first end of the hollow member, and being representative of a length of the urethra;
wherein at least one of said plurality of beads is observable at the meatus when said hollow member is inserted into the urethra and said expandable portion anchors in the bladder neck.
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Accused Products
Abstract
There is presented a urethral measuring device for determining the length of a human urethra, the measuring device comprising a member having an expandable portion at a first end and adapted to receive fluid from an external source at a second end. The member includes graduations arranged such that the graduations are located a pre-specified distance from the expandable portion. In certain embodiments, the graduations also are located at least "x" distance from the meatus of the urethra when the device is inserted and in an operative position. The measuring device further includes a collar slidably disposed and movable on the member and is used as a pointer against the graduations to measure the length of the urethra. There is further presented a method for determining the length of a urethra, utilizing the aforesaid device.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A device for determining the length of a urethra comprising:
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a hollow member having an expandable portion at a first end and a length greater than the length of the urethra to be measured; wherein said hollow member further includes a plurality of beads spaced equally apart from one another in a pre-defined pattern, each of the plurality of beads being located a prespecified distance from the first end of the hollow member, and being representative of a length of the urethra; wherein at least one of said plurality of beads is observable at the meatus when said hollow member is inserted into the urethra and said expandable portion anchors in the bladder neck. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of determining the length of a urethra comprising the following steps:
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providing a device including a hollow member having an expandable portion at a first end, wherein said hollow member further includes a plurality of beads spaced equally apart from one another in a pre-defined pattern, each of the plurality of beads being located a pre-specified distance from the first end of the hollow member, and being representative of a length of the urethra; inserting said hollow member into the urethra until said hollow member is positioned in the bladder, expanding said expandable portion in the bladder and retracting said expandable portion until said hollow member anchors in the bladder neck; maintaining said expansion of said expandable portion; observing the one of said plurality of beads proximate the meatus when said hollow member is inserted into the urethra and said expandable portion is anchored in the bladder neck; and determining the length of the urethra based on the observed one of said plurality of beads. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification