Male urethral occlusive device

• US 5,884,629 A
• Filed: 05/22/1998
• Issued: 03/23/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Christopher J O'Brien
• Original Assignee: Christopher J O'Brien
• Inventors: O'Brien, Christopher J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown, Michael A.
• Application Number:
  US09/083,988
• Time in Patent Office: 305 Days
• Field of Search: 128/846, 128/885, 128/886, 128/842, 128/844, 128/918, 128/DIG. 25, 600/29-31, 604/347-353
• US Class Current: 128/885
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0022 placed deep in the body opening occluding blood vessels by internal devices A61B17/12022
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/48 Devices for preventing wetting or pollution of the bed
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/25 Artificial sphincters and devices for controlling urinary incontinence

Abstract

The instant invention is a urethral occlusive device designed for insertion into the male urethral opening. The device is effective as a prophylactic and as a male contraceptive device. The device is also useful in treating incontinence and can act as a non-invasive catheter attachment for aiding in the draining of urine from the body.

Claims

1. A urethral meatus occlusive device for insertion through a meatal tissue area in a male urethra comprising:

a first circular retaining disc having a central opening and being of a diameter sufficiently large to provide an external restraint thereby preventing the device from entirely entering the urethra;

a space maintaining member of annular cross section having a diameter less than said retaining disc, said member having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end being attached to said retaining disc and concentric therewith, said member being formed of a material selected from the group consisting of surgical grade rubber or silicone and having sufficient rigidity so as to prevent restriction of the meatal tissue;

an occlusive assembly having a first extensible member and a second extensible member, said members each being formed of a material selected from the group consisting of surgical grade rubber or silicone, said first extensible member characterized by an annular segment having a proximal end and a distal end and having a diameter less than the outer diameter of said space maintaining member, said second extensible member characterized by an annular segment having a proximal end and a distal end and having an outer diameter less than the internal diameter of said first extensible member, said proximal ends of said first and second extensible members being attached to said distal end of said space maintaining member and concentric therewith;

a second circular retaining disc having a diameter substantially equal to said space maintaining member and being attached, to said distal ends of said first and second extensible members and concentric therewith; and

an applicator assembly characterized by a shaft having a knob at its proximal end and a retaining ridge particularly disposed along the length of the shaft, said shaft being constructed and arranged so that the distal end thereof is readily inserted into the central opening of the first retaining disc;

whereby, upon insertion of the applicator assembly into the first retaining disc with sufficient pressure, said retaining ridge engages said central opening of said first retaining disc and precisely extends said extensible members to an optimum length so as to define a minimum diameter and thereby facilitate insertion and upon subsequent extraction of said applicator assembly said extensible members revert to their original configuration such that said second extensible member retracts to cause flattening of said first extensible member thereby creating an internal seal within the urethral opening juxtaposed said space maintaining member.

2. The occlusive device according to claim 1 wherein the second circular retaining disc contains a central opening, whereby bodily fluids are permitted to flow through said opening.

3. A method of catheterization comprising:

providing a urethral occlusive device as set forth in claim 2;

sealingly engaging said device within the urethral opening;

sealingly engaging a catheter within the central opening of said first circular retaining disc; and

directing the flow of urine to an external reservoir.

4. A method of male contraception comprising:

providing a urethral occlusive device as set forth in claim 1; and

sealingly engaging said device within the urethral opening prior to sexual intercourse.

5. A method of managing incontinence comprising:

providing a urethral occlusive device as set forth in claim 1; and

sealingly engaging said device within the urethral opening.