System and method for assessing urinary function

• US 6,896,650 B2
• Filed: 06/27/2002
• Issued: 05/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Bayer, Hanspeter R., Tracey, Michael R., Karl, Frederick T., Nohilly, Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg, Max F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Veniaminov, Nikita R.
• Application Number:
  US10/183,698
• Publication Number:
  US 20030028159A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,062 Days
• Field of Search: 600/29, 600/544, 600/30, 600/31, 600/574, 604/328, 604/326, 604/349, 604/19, 604/317, 604/323, 604/329, 604/544, 604/523, 604/265, 604/530, 604/43, 604/327, 604/170.03, 604/48, 604/93.01, 604/65, 604/246, 604/257, 604/275, 128/885, 128/DIG.25
• US Class Current: 600/29
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/32 Devices for opening or enlarging the visual field, e.g. of a tube of the body dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0443 Modular apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/202 Assessing bladder functions, e.g. incontinence assessment
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/204 Determining bladder volume
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/205 Determining bladder or urethral pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/208 adapted to determine urine quantity, e.g. flow, volume
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7435 Displaying user selection data, e.g. icons in a graphical user interface
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0002 with a pressure sensor at the distal end

Abstract

An insertion device is provided for use in assessing urinary function. The insert device includes an insert member for at least partial insertion into a patient'"'"'s urethral canal having a length such that it is positioned distal of the urethral sphincter, and having an outer surface at least a portion of which is configured to engage the inner wall of the urethra to substantially prevent fluid flow therebetween. The insert member has a channel therethrough through which fluid from a fluid source can be introduced into the urethral canal. Also provided is a device for introducing fluid into a patient'"'"'s urethral canal including a hand-sized casing having a fluid conduit therein between a fluid inlet and a fluid source assembly. The device further includes an activation device movable between a first position wherein it does not obstruct the fluid conduit and a second position wherein it does obstruct the fluid conduit. An insert member is coupled to a distal end of the hand-sized casing and has a channel therethrough between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, and is dimensioned for at least partial insertion into the patient'"'"'s urethral canal distal of the urethral sphincter. The insert member channel is in fluid communication with the fluid conduit.

Claims

1. A device for introducing fluid into a patient'"'"'s urethral canal, comprising:

a hand-sized casing having a fluid conduit therein between a fluid outlet and a fluid source assembly;

an activation device movable between a first position wherein it does not obstruct the fluid conduit and a second position wherein it does obstruct the fluid conduit to substantially block fluid flow therethrough;

an insert member coupled to a distal end of the hand-sized casing and having a channel therethrough between an insert member fluid inlet and an insert member fluid outlet located at a distal end thereof, wherein the insert member channel is in fluid communication with the fluid conduit, and wherein the insert member is dimensioned for at least partial insertion into a patient'"'"'s urethral canal distal of the patient'"'"'s urethral sphincter; and

an air bladder located within the hand-sized casing, wherein the activation device does not compress the air bladder when in the first position, and at least partially depresses the air bladder when in the second position.

2. A device for introducing fluid into a patient'"'"'s urethral candl, comprising:

a hand-sized casing having a fluid conduit therein between a fluid outlet and a fluid source assembly;

an activation device movable between a first position wherein it does not obstruct the fluid conduit and a second position wherein it does obstruct the fluid conduit to substantially block fluid flow therethrough;

an insert member coupled to a distal end of the hand-sized casing and having a channel therethrough between an insert member fluid inlet and an insert member fluid outlet located at a distal end thereof, wherein the insert member channel is in fluid communication with the fluid conduit, and wherein the insert member is dimensioned for at least partial insertion into a patient'"'"'s urethral canal distal of the patient'"'"'s urethral sphincter; and

an air bladder coupled to and in fluid communication with a second fluid conduit that is positioned within the hand-sized casing.