Endourethral device and method

• US 7,758,542 B2
• Filed: 11/28/2006
• Issued: 07/20/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SRS Medical Systems, LLC
• Original Assignee: AbbeyMoor Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: Willard, Lloyd K., Reid, John M., Whalen, Mark J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lucchesi; Nicholas D
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHANDER, DIVA KAKAR
• Application Number:
  US11/604,959
• Publication Number:
  US 20070078389A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,330 Days
• Field of Search: 60410101-10105
• US Class Current: 604/103.01
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0027 inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/1089 Urethra
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0017 specially adapted for long-term hygiene care, e.g. urethral or indwelling catheters to prevent infections
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/04 in the body, e.g. expansible A61M25/10, A61M16/0488 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/1011 Multiple balloon catheters

Abstract

Several embodiments of an endourethral prosthesis, assembly, and attendant methods are provided for patients presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) or urinary retention. The endourethral prosthesis includes a reversibly expandable element disposed circumferentially about, and longitudinally along a tubular member adapted to receive urine. The tubular member is positionable within a lower urinary tract such that the reversibly expandable element operatively engages a structure of the lower urinary tract so as to prevent migration of the prosthesis so positioned. The reversibly expandible element is in non-reversible fluid communication with the tubular element for selective expansion thereof, the reversibly expandible element is further operatively engagable so as to discharge fluid non-reversibly received from the tubular member exterior to same.

Claims

1. An endourethral device comprising:

a. a tubular body having proximal and distal end segments, said proximal end segment including at least a single fluid filling port;

b. a reversibly expandable element disposed circumferentially about said proximal end portion of said tubular body so as to overlay said at least a single fluid filling port, said reversibly expandable element including a fluid drain characterized by a fluid discharge channel exterior a surface of said tubular body with fluid thereby discharging immediately adjacent said reversibly expandable element;

c. a fluid flow regulator, interposed between said at least a single fluid filling port and said reversibly expandable element, for one-way fluid flow in furtherance of expanding said reversibly expandable element; and

,

d. a retrieval system operatively linked with said tubular body, said retrieval system including a plug reversibly receivable within said fluid drain of said reversibly expandible element in furtherance of draining said reversibly expandable element.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said fluid flow regulator comprises a band.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said band circumscribes said tubular body.

4. An endourethral device comprising:

a. an elongate tubular member positionable for communication with a bladder and characterized by opposing first and second ends, said first end of said elongate tubular member including a segment characterized by a fluid filling port;

b. a tether characterized by a leader, and first an second branches thereof, said first branch linking said second end of said elongate tubular member to said leader, said second branch including a plug;

c. a fluid flow regulator circumferentially disposed about a portion of said first end of said elongate tubular member so as to overlay said fluid filling port; and

,

d. a reversibly expandable element circumferentially disposed about said elongate member so as to be in non-reversible fluid communication with said fluid filling port in furtherance of filling said reversibly expandable element with fluid, said reversibly expandable element adapted so as to selectively retain said plug of said second branch of said leader in furtherance of draining the fluid from said reversibly expandable element exterior of said elongate tubular member.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein said fluid flow regulator comprises a band.

6. An endourethral device comprising:

a. an elongate device body anchorable at a bladder neck so as to traverse and support a prostatic urethra while permitting external sphincter function, said elongate device body including a reversibly expandable element disposed thereabout and therealong, and a fluid filling port for filling said reversibly expandable element, said reversibly expandable element in non-reversible fluid communication with said fluid filling port;

b. a fluid discharge channel extending between said elongate device body and said reversibly expandable element to permit egress of fluid from said reversibly expandable element and external an exterior surface segment of said elongate device body; and

,

c. a retrieval system operatively linked with said tubular body, said retrieval system including a plug reversibly retained within said fluid discharge channel.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein said fluid flow regulator comprises a band.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein said band circumscribes said elongate device body.

9. The endourethral device of claim 6 wherein said elongate device body is axially reinforced.

10. The endourethral device of claim 6 wherein said elongate device body incorporates a structural support coil.

11. The endourethral device of claim 6 wherein said retrieval system comprises a tether characterized by a plug segment equipped with said plug.

12. The endourethral device of claim 11 wherein said tether is further characterized by an elongate device body segment secured to an open end of said elongate device body.

13. The endourethral device of claim 6 in combination with an insertion tool, said fluid filling port operatively engaged by a portion of said insertion tool.