Body fluid flow control method and device

• US 6,689,046 B2
• Filed: 09/28/2001
• Issued: 02/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Precision Medical Devices, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Precision Medical Devices, Inc.
• Inventors: Sutherland, Lloyd A., Sayet, Peter H., Politano, Victor
• Primary Examiner(s): Winakur, Eric F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): VENIAMINOV, NIKITA R
• Application Number:
  US09/965,762
• Publication Number:
  US 20020040178A1
• Time in Patent Office: 865 Days
• Field of Search: 600/29-31, 600/38, 623/23.66, 623/17.13, 623/26, 128/DIG.25, 128/899, 606/151
• US Class Current: 600/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0036 implantable A61F2/0018 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/004 inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0001 Means for transferring electromagnetic energy to implants

Abstract

An implantable apparatus and a method for controlling fluid flow within a host body, for example for use as an incontinence device. A constricting member is provided for reducing fluid flow within a body canal when in a closed position, and for allowing fluid flow within the body canal when in an open position. In addition, there is a control mechanism for controlling movement of the constricting member between said open and closed positions. A link member links the constricting member and the control mechanism such that the constricting member and the control mechanism are implantable in different parts of the host body. A coupling for selectively transmitting axial movement to the link member may be provided between the link member and the control mechanism so that the constricting member cannot apply a damaging amount of force to the body canal.

Claims

1. An implantable apparatus for controlling fluid flow within a host body comprising:

a constricting member for allowing fluid flow within a body canal when in an open position and for reducing fluid flow within a body canal when in a closed position, said constricting member having a plurality of apertures to allow at least some fluid flow therethrough to contact the surface of said body canal;

an actuating member for operating the constricting member between said open and closed positions; and

control means for operating said actuating member.

2. The implantable apparatus of claim 1, wherein said constricting member comprises a first engaging element and a second engaging element for coupling to the first engaging element to encircle said body canal.

3. The implantable apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a locking member for locking the first engaging element and second engaging element into a locked position.

4. The implantable apparatus of claim 1, wherein said constricting member comprises a plunging member moveable such that the plunging member may apply pressure against said body canal to compress said body canal into said closed position.

5. The implantable apparatus of claim 4, wherein said actuating member comprises a link member having a first and second end.

6. The implantable apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first end of the link member is attached to said plunging member and is axially moveable by said control means to move said plunging member.

7. The implantable apparatus of claim 5, wherein said actuating member comprises a housing whereby the second end of the link member extends slidably through an aperture in the housing and is coupled to an actuator provided in the housing such that movement of the actuator results in movement of said plunging member away from the body canal to allow at least some fluid flow therethrough.

8. The implantable apparatus of claim 5, wherein said actuating member comprises a motor operatively coupled to the second end of the link member so that activation of the motor causes the second end of the link member to be axially pulled towards the motor resulting in movement of said plunging member away from the body canal to allow at least some fluid flow therethrough.

9. The implantable apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a trigger mechanism for activating the motor.

10. The implantable apparatus of claim 5, wherein said actuating member comprises a magnetic unit coupled to the second end of the link member so that activation of the magnetic unit causes the second end of the connector to be axially moved, resulting in movement of said plunging member away from the body canal to allow at least some fluid flow therethrough.

11. The implantable apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a manual override system including an additional magnet having sufficient magnetic force to activate said magnetic unit coupled to said second end of the connector from outside the host body.

12. An implantable apparatus for controlling fluid flow within a host body comprising:

a constricting member for restricting fluid flow within a body canal when in a closed position, and for allowing fluid flow within the body canal when in an open position;

a control mechanism for controlling movement of the constricting member between said open and closed positions;

a link member linking the constricting member and the control mechanism such that the constricting member and the control mechanism are implantable in different parts of the host body;

said control mechanism being separable from said link member, whereby said control mechanism may be replaced without removal of the constricting member or the link member from the host body.

13. The implantable apparatus of claim 12, wherein:

the link member is adapted for actuating said constricting member between said open and closed positions so as to alter fluid flow within the body canal; and

an actuating member is provided for actuating said linking member.

14. The implantable apparatus of claim 13, wherein the actuating member and the control mechanism are provided in a housing separate from the constricting member.

15. The implantable apparatus of claim 13, wherein the actuating member comprises a motor.

16. The implantable apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a remotely operated trigger mechanism for activating the motor.

17. The implantable apparatus of claim 15, wherein a coupling for selectively transmitting axial movement from said motor to said link member is provided between said link member and said motor.

18. The implantable apparatus of claim 17, wherein said coupling comprises a compressible member.

19. The implantable apparatus of claim 18, wherein the compressible member is provided in a moveable casing, and wherein said link member is operatively connected to said compressible member, the motor acting to move said casing, said compressible member acting to move said link member.

20. The implantable apparatus of claim 17, wherein said coupling comprises magnets.

21. The implantable apparatus of claim 20, wherein said coupling comprises a magnet attached to an end of said link member, and at least one magnet attached to said operating means.

22. The implantable apparatus of claim 21, wherein said at least one magnet attached to said operating means is generally annular, and extends around said magnet attached to said link member.

23. A method of controlling fluid flow within a host body comprising:

implanting a constricting member around a body canal, the constricting member reducing fluid flow in the body vessel when in a closed position;

implanting a control mechanism in the host body;

providing and implanting a link member between said constricting member and said control mechanism to allow the control mechanism to control the constricting member, wherein said control mechanism may be removed from the host body and replaced without removal of the constricting member and the linking member.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the constricting member comprises engaging elements defining an opening therebetween, the method comprising surrounding the body canal with said engaging elements so that said body canal extends through said opening.

25. The method of claim 23, comprising suturing the engaging elements to the vessel.

26. The method of claim 23, further comprising implanting the control mechanism remote from the body canal.

27. An implantable apparatus for controlling fluid flow in a host body, the implantable apparatus comprising:

a constricting mechanism including a reciprocable member for selectively applying pressure to a canal of the host body in order to selectively constrict said canal;

a pressure sensor for detecting the pressure applied by said reciprocable member to said canal; and

a feedback system for altering movement of said reciprocable member in response to the pressure sensed by said pressure sensor in order to prevent damage to said canal.