Urinary flow control device and method
First Claim
1. A valve assembly for an indwelling urethral device comprising a fluid filled deformable structure responsive to bladder pressure, said fluid filled deformable structure supported by the indwelling urethral device so as to block a urine flow passage thereof, said fluid filled deformable structure having first and second operational states, said first operational state being externally initiated, deformation of said fluid filled deformable structure being greater in said first operational state than said second operational state, each of said operational states permitting urine ingress to the urine flow passage of the indwelling urethral device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A urinary flow control device having a bladder responsive flow control assembly operatively engaged with an elongate member having proximal and distal ends, and a lumen capable of discharging urine therethrough is provided. The flow control assembly includes first and second fluid containing compartments adapted to be in fluid communication. The flow control assembly is adapted to receive and contain urine from a bladder so as to impinge upon the first fluid containing compartment. The flow control assembly is responsive to increased bladder pressure such that fluid is displaced from the first fluid containing compartment to the second fluid containing compartment to thereby permit select passage of received urine to the lumen of the elongate member for discharge therethrough. A method of controlling urinary flow is likewise provided.
203 Citations
18 Claims
- 1. A valve assembly for an indwelling urethral device comprising a fluid filled deformable structure responsive to bladder pressure, said fluid filled deformable structure supported by the indwelling urethral device so as to block a urine flow passage thereof, said fluid filled deformable structure having first and second operational states, said first operational state being externally initiated, deformation of said fluid filled deformable structure being greater in said first operational state than said second operational state, each of said operational states permitting urine ingress to the urine flow passage of the indwelling urethral device.
- 6. A valve assembly for an indwelling urethral device comprising a deformable structure responsive to bladder pressure, said deformable structure supported by the indwelling urethral device so as to block a urine flow passage thereof, said deformable structure having first and second operational states, and including primary and secondary chambers, said chambers being united for selective dynamic communication, said first operational state being externally initiated, deformation of said deformable structure being greater in said first operational state than said second operational state, each of said first and second operational states allow deformation of a portion of said deformable structure from a sealed interface between said deformable structure and a portion of the urine flow passage thereby permitting urine ingress to the urine flow passage of the indwelling urethral device, initiation of said first operational state implicating a latch integral to said valve assembly, initiation of said second operational state implicating a pressure relief mechanism integral to said valve assembly.
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12. A urinary flow control device comprising:
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a. an elongate member having proximal and distal ends, and a lumen capable of discharging urine therethrough; b. a flow control assembly supported at a proximal portion of said elongate member, a portion thereof in abutting engagement with a proximal end of said lumen of said elongate member, said flow control assembly comprising a urine receiving compartment and a pressure responsive gate, said gate being interposed between said urine receiving compartment and said proximal end of said lumen of said elongate member; and
,c. a fluid anchor for fixedly positioning said urinary flow control device within a lower urinary tract, said fluid anchor being variably formable along a length of said distal portion of said elongate member in a fluid containing layer overlaying an exterior surface of said elongate member, said flow control assembly being proximal of said fluid anchor, said fluid anchor co-axially extending from said exterior surface of said elongate member. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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- 17. A valve assembly comprising a urine displaceable element enclosed within a portion of the indwelling urethral device so as to directly block a urine flow passage thereof and a latch assembly for reversibly activating said urine displaceable element, said urine displaceable element being directly responsive to bladder pressure via constant exposure to urine accumulating in a bladder.
Specification