Magnetic actuation urethral valve

• US 6,234,956 B1
• Filed: 08/11/1999
• Issued: 05/22/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: He, Hongping, Ming He
• Original Assignee: He, Hongping, Ming He
• Inventors: He, Ming, He, Hongping
• Primary Examiner(s): Lacyk, John P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cadugan, Joseph A.
• Application Number:
  US09/373,020
• Time in Patent Office: 650 Days
• Field of Search: 600/29, 600/30, 128/899, 128/DIG.25
• US Class Current: 600/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0018 magnetic

Abstract

A magnetic actuation urethral valve is adapted for inserting into the urethra of a patient who suffering from urinary incontinence in order to recover control of urine flow. The valve member is driven by a magnet rotor which is magnetically actuated by a rotating magnetic field generated from a controller outside the body. There is also an actuation device for the user to discharge by inserting an indwelling catheter into the valve in case the valve does not work for any reason.

Claims

1. A magnetic actuation urethral valve, comprising:

a valve member;

a valve body having a valve opening at a proximal end thereof and an exit opening at a distal end thereof, wherein said valve opening has a size smaller than a size of said valve member so as to enable said valve member sitting on said valve opening to shut off said valve body, wherein said valve body comprises a valve housing, a connecting sleeve, a valve seat, a retainer bearing, and a cover cap, said valve housing having an interior chamber, said connecting sleeve connecting to a proximal end of said valve housing, and a ring shaped supporting shoulder radially and inwardly extended from a bottom end thereof, said valve seat which has a U-shaped cross section is coaxially connected to said connecting sleeve, said valve seat having a center hole functioned as said valve opening, said retainer bearing being affixed at a distal end portion of said valve housing, a plurality of urine holes being formed on said retainer bearing, said cover cap being secured to a distal end of said valve housing and having has a central opening functioned as said exit opening; and

an actuation device for selectively spacing out said valve member and said valve body from each other, wherein said actuation device comprises a control nut, a magnet rotor rotatably disposed inside said interior chamber of said valve housing of said valve body and adapted to be driven to rotate by a magnetic controller, and an actuation axle having a first end penetrating through said valve opening and connecting to said valve member and a second end coaxially connected to said magnet rotor;

wherein said control nut is positioned between said valve opening and said magnet rotor and has a central threaded hole so as to enable said actuation axle to penetrate therethrough, and that said actuation axle has a threaded portion adapted for screwing with said thread hole;

whereby by means of said magnetic controller, said magnet rotor is able to be driven to rotate in one direction, said rotating magnet rotor driving said actuation axle to rotate so as to drive said thread portion of said actuation axle to move axially towards said distal end, so that said valve member is pulled by said actuation axle to shut off said valve opening to close said valve body, furthermore when said magnet rotor is driven by said magnetic controller to rotate in opposite direction, said rotating magnet rotor drives said actuation axle to rotate to drive said thread portion of said actuation axle to move axially towards said proximal end, so that said valve member is pushed by said actuation axle to move away from said valve opening to open said valve body.

2. A magnetic actuation urethral valve, as recited in claim 1, wherein said actuation device further comprises a first spring and a second spring which maintain certain pressures between said valve member and said valve seat as well as control movement of said control nut, and a guiding sleeve fittingly installed within said connecting sleeve and supported by said supporting shoulder, wherein two opposing guiding slots are longitudinally formed on said guiding sleeve, said control nut having two guider ends projected from two ends thereof, wherein said two guider ends are slidably fitted in said two guiding slots respectively so as to enable said control nut to slide axially within said guiding sleeve.

3. A magnetic actuation urethral valve, as recited in claim 2, wherein said actuation device further comprises a manual switch axle distally extended from said magnet rotor towards said exit opening to connect with a switch button, wherein said retainer bearing has a center hole to enable said switch axle rotatably passing through, and said switch button is extended below said retaining bearing for pushing said valve member upwards to open said valve opening with a catheter or the like.

4. A magnetic actuation urethral valve, as recited in claim 3, wherein said valve member comprises a valve head having a step hole therein, a head nut disposed within said step hole for tightly screwed onto said first end of said actuation axle, and a head cover covering said step hole by screwing therein, thus allowing said actuation axle to rotate inside said valve member freely.

5. A magnetic actuation urethral valve, as recited in claim 2, wherein said valve member comprises a valve head having a step hole therein, a head nut disposed within said step hole for tightly screwed onto said first end of said actuation axle, and a head cover covering said step hole by screwing therein, thus allowing said actuation axle to rotate inside said valve member freely.

6. A magnetic actuation urethral valve, as recited in claim 1, wherein said valve member comprises a valve head having a step hole therein, a head nut disposed within said step hole for tightly screwed onto said first end of said actuation axle, and a head cover covering said step hole by screwing therein, thus allowing said actuation axle to rotate inside said valve member freely.

7. A magnetic actuation urethral valve, comprising:

a valve member;

a valve body having a valve opening at a proximal end thereof and an exit opening at a distal end thereof, wherein said valve opening has a size smaller than a size of said valve member so as to enable said valve member sitting on said valve opening to shut off said valve body; and

an actuation device for selectively spacing out said valve member and said valve body from each other, wherein said actuation device comprises a control nut, a magnet rotor rotatably disposed inside said valve body and adapted to be driven to rotate by a magnetic controller, and an actuation axle having a first end penetrating through said valve opening and connecting to said valve member and a second end coaxially connected to said magnet rotor, wherein said control nut is positioned between said valve opening and said magnet rotor and has a central threaded hole so as to enable said actuation axle to penetrate therethrough, and that said actuation axle has a threaded portion adapted for screwing with said thread hole, wherein said actuation device further comprises a first spring and a second spring which maintain certain pressures between said valve member and said valve body as well as control movement of said control nut, and a guiding sleeve fittingly installed within said valve body, wherein two opposing guiding slots are longitudinally formed on said guiding sleeve, said control nut having two guider ends projected from two ends thereof, wherein said two guider ends are slidably fitted in said two guiding slots respectively so as to enable said control nut to slide axially within said valve body;

whereby by means of said magnetic controller, said magnet rotor is able to be driven to rotate in one direction, said rotating magnet rotor driving said actuation axle to rotate so as to drive said thread portion of said actuation axle to move axially towards said distal end, so that said valve member is pulled by said actuation axle to shut off said valve opening to close said valve body, furthermore when said magnet rotor is driven by said magnetic controller to rotate in opposite direction, said rotating magnet rotor drives said actuation axle to rotate to drive said thread portion of said actuation axle to move axially towards said proximal end, so that said valve member is pushed by said actuation axle to move away from said valve opening to open said valve body.

8. A magnetic actuation urethral valve, as recited in claim 7, wherein said actuation device further comprises a manual switch axle distally extended from said magnet rotor towards said exit opening to connect with a switch button.

9. A magnetic actuation urethral valve, as recited in claim 8, wherein said valve member comprises a valve head having a step hole therein, a head nut disposed within said step hole for tightly screwed onto said first end of said actuation axle, and a head cover covering said step hole by screwing therein, thus allowing said actuation axle to rotate inside said valve member freely.

10. A magnetic actuation urethral valve, as recited in claim 7, wherein said valve member comprises a valve head having a step hole therein, a head nut disposed within said step hole for tightly screwed onto said first end of said actuation axle, and a head cover covering said step hole by screwing therein, thus allowing said actuation axle to rotate inside said valve member freely.

11. A magnetic actuation urethral valve, comprising:

a valve member;

a valve body having a valve opening at a proximal end thereof and an exit opening at a distal end thereof, wherein said valve opening has a size smaller than a size of said valve member so as to enable said valve member sitting on said valve opening to shut off said valve body, wherein said valve body comprises a valve housing, a connecting sleeve, a valve seat, a retainer bearing, and a cover cap, said valve housing having an interior chamber, said connecting sleeve connecting to a proximal end of said valve housing, and a ring shaped supporting shoulder radially and inwardly extended from a bottom end thereof, said valve seat which has a U-shaped cross section is coaxially connected to said connecting sleeve, said valve seat having a center hole functioned as said valve opening, said retainer bearing being affixed at a distal end portion of said valve housing, a plurality of urine holes being formed on said retainer bearing, said cover cap being secured to a distal end of said valve housing and having has a central opening functioned as said exit opening, wherein said valve housing has a wavy exterior surface for more firmly mounting within a urethra; and

an actuation device for selectively spacing out said valve member and said valve body from each other, wherein said actuation device comprises a control nut, a magnet rotor rotatably disposed inside said interior chamber of said valve housing of said valve body and adapted to be driven to rotate by a magnetic controller, and an actuation axle having a first end penetrating through said valve opening and connecting to said valve member and a second end coaxially connected to said magnet rotor;

wherein said control nut is positioned between said valve opening and said magnet rotor and has a central threaded hole so as to enable said actuation axle to penetrate therethrough, and that said actuation axle has a threaded portion adapted for screwing with said thread hole, wherein said actuation device further comprises a first spring and a second spring which maintain certain pressures between said valve member and said valve seat as well as control movement of said control nut, and a guiding sleeve fittingly installed within said connecting sleeve and supported by said supporting shoulder, wherein two opposing guiding slots are longitudinally formed on said guiding sleeve, said control nut having two guider ends projected from two ends thereof, wherein said two guider ends are slidably fitted in said two guiding slots respectively so as to enable said control nut to slide axially within said guiding sleeve;

whereby by means of said magnetic controller, said magnet rotor is able to be driven to rotate in one direction, said rotating magnet rotor driving said actuation axle to rotate so as to drive said thread portion of said actuation axle to move axially towards said distal end, so that said valve member is pulled by said actuation axle to shut off said valve opening to close said valve body, furthermore when said magnet rotor is driven by said magnetic controller to rotate in opposite direction, said rotating magnet rotor drives said actuation axle to rotate to drive said thread portion of said actuation axle to move axially towards said proximal end, so that said valve member is pushed by said actuation axle to move away from said valve opening to open said valve body.

12. A magnetic actuation urethral valve, as recited in claim 11, wherein said actuation device further comprising a manual switch axle distally extended from said magnet rotor towards said exit opening to connect with a switch button, wherein said retainer bearing has a center hole to enable said switch axle rotatably passing through, and said switch button is extended below said retaining bearing for pushing said valve member upwards to open said valve opening with a catheter or the like.

13. A magnetic actuation urethral valve, as recited in claim 12, wherein said valve member comprises a valve head having a step hole therein, a head nut disposed within said step hole for tightly screwed onto said first end of said actuation axle, and a head cover covering said step hole by screwing therein, thus allowing said actuation axle to rotate inside said valve member freely.

14. A magnetic actuation urethral valve, as recited in claim 11, wherein said valve member comprises a valve head having a step hole therein, a head nut disposed within said step hole for tightly screwed onto said first end of said actuation axle, and a head cover covering said step hole by screwing therein, thus allowing said actuation axle to rotate inside said valve member freely.