Urethral apparatus with position indicator and methods of use thereof

• US 6,258,060 B1
• Filed: 06/30/1999
• Issued: 07/10/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AbbeyMoor Medical, Inc.
• Original Assignee: AbbeyMoor Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: Willard, Lloyd K.
• Primary Examiner(s): KENNEDY, SHARON E
• Application Number:
  US09/340,491
• Time in Patent Office: 741 Days
• Field of Search: 604/57, 604/66, 604/117, 604/50, 604/514, 604/93, 604/100, 604/907, 604/515, 604/517, 128/839, 128/841, 623/24, 623/26, 600/377, 600/423, 600/424, 600/29-31, 607/138, 607/143
• US Class Current: 604/117
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/202 Assessing bladder functions, e.g. incontinence assessment
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/205 Determining bladder or urethral pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0022 placed deep in the body opening occluding blood vessels by internal devices A61B17/12022
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/94 Stents retaining their form, i.e. not being deformable, after placement in the predetermined place
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0067 Means for introducing or releasing pharmaceutical products into the body

Abstract

An apparatus and method for placement of a tubular body in the urethra. The tubular body includes a proximal portion adapted for placement toward a bladder end and bladder neck end of the urethra and a distal portion opposite from the proximal portion. A sensor component located on the tubular body is responsive to a feature of the urethra and outputs a first signal indicating proper placement of the proximal portion of the tubular body relative to the bladder and bladder neck. Preferably, an insertion tool is used during positioning of the urethral apparatus. The insertion tool is coupled to the distal end of the urethral apparatus and is used to push the urethral apparatus proximally in the urethra. The first signal can be transmitted from the urethral apparatus through the insertion tool from which it is perceivable by the person positioning the urethral device. Upon proper placement, the insertion tool is decoupled from the urethral apparatus and withdrawn leaving the urethral apparatus in place in the urethra with the proximal portion properly positioned relative to the bladder neck and bladder.

Claims

1. An apparatus for placement in a urethra comprising:

a tubular body sized for placement in the urethra, said tubular body having a proximal portion adapted for placement toward a bladder end and bladder neck end of the urethra and a distal portion opposite from said proximal portion;

a sensor component coupled to said tubular body and responsive to a urethral feature to provide a first indication of proper placement of said proximal portion at the bladder end and bladder neck end of the urethra whereby proper placement of said tubular body can be ascertained, wherein said sensor component comprises;

a fluid passageway extending through said tubular body and communicating with a proximal passageway opening in said proximal portion, said fluid passageway containing a fluid under a higher pressure when flow of the fluid from said proximal passageway opening is restricted and containing fluid under a lower pressure when flow of the fluid from said proximal opening is unrestricted; and

a flow restrictor valve at said proximal passageway opening and adapted to prevent flow from said proximal passageway opening while said proximal passageway opening with within the urethra.

2. An apparatus for placement in a urethra comprising:

a tubular body sized for placement in the urethra, said tubular body having a proximal portion adapted for placement toward a bladder end and bladder neck end of the urethra and a distal portion opposite from said proximal portion,

a sensor component coupled to said tubular body and responsive to a urethral feature to provide a first indication of proper placement of said proximal portion at the bladder end and bladder neck end of the urethra whereby proper placement of said tubular body can be ascertained; and

a plurality of anchors extending outward from an exterior surface of said tubular body.

3. An apparatus for placement in a urethra comprising:

a tubular body sized for placement in the urethra, said tubular body having a proximal portion adapted for placement toward a bladder end and bladder neck end of the urethra and a distal portion opposite from said proximal portion;

a sensor component coupled to said tubular body and responsive to a urethral feature to provide a first indication of proper placement of said proximal portion at the bladder end and bladder neck end of the urethra whereby proper placement of said tubular body can be ascertained; and

a plurality of anchors extending outward from an exterior surface of said tubular body wherein each of said plurality of anchors extends less than 360°

around said exterior surface.

4. An apparatus for placement in a urethra comprising:

a tubular body sized for placement in the urethra, said tubular body having a proximal portion adapted for placement toward a bladder end and bladder neck end of the urethra and a distal portion opposite from said proximal portion;

a sensor component coupled to said tubular body and responsive to a urethral feature to provide a first indication of proper placement of said proximal portion at the bladder end and bladder neck end of the urethra whereby proper placement of said tubular body can be ascertained; and

wherein said tubular body comprises a wall that defines a passageway extending from said proximal portion to said distal portion and further wherein said tubular body has a proximal opening located in said proximal portion and communicating with said passageway and a distal opening located in said distal portion and communicating with said passageway.

5. The invention of claim 4 further comprising a valve located in said passageway.

6. The invention of claim 4 wherein a distal portion of said passageway includes a recess for receiving an insertion tool.

7. An apparatus for placement in a urethra comprising:

a tubular body sized for placement in the urethra, said tubular body having a proximal portion adapted for placement toward a bladder end and bladder neck end of the urethra and a distal portion opposite from said proximal portion;

a sensor component coupled to said tubular body and responsive to a urethral feature to provide a first indication of proper placement of said proximal portion at the bladder end and bladder neck end of the urethra whereby proper placement of said tubular body can be ascertained; and

wherein said tubular body defines a passageway extending from said proximal portion to said distal portion and further wherein said distal portion of said passageway includes a recess for receiving an insertion tool.

8. An apparatus for placement in a urethra comprising:

a tubular body sized for placement in the urethra, said tubular body having a proximal portion adapted for placement toward a bladder end and bladder neck end of the urethra and a distal portion opposite from said proximal portion;

a sensor component coupled to said tubular body and responsive to a urethral feature to provide a first indication of proper placement of said proximal portion at the bladder end and bladder neck end of the urethra whereby proper placement of said tubular body can be ascertained; and

an anchor extending outward from an exterior surface of said tubular body.

9. An apparatus for placement in a urethra comprising:

a tubular body sized for placement in the urethra, said tubular body having a proximal portion adapted for placement toward a bladder end and bladder neck end of the urethra and a distal portion opposite from said proximal portion;

a sensor component coupled to said tubular body and responsive to a urethral feature to provide a first indication of proper placement of said proximal portion at the bladder end and bladder neck end of the urethra whereby proper placement of said tubular body can be ascertained; and

an anchor extending outward from an exterior surface of said tubular body wherein said anchor extends less than 360°

around said exterior surface.