Endourethral device and method

• US 7,951,064 B2
• Filed: 01/19/2006
• Issued: 05/31/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2001
• 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): Lacyk; John P
• Application Number:
  US11/335,147
• Publication Number:
  US 20060116547A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,958 Days
• Field of Search: 600 29- 31, 600433-435, 600483-486, 600505-507, 600560-561, 600568-591, 128/DIG.25, 128885-886, 604/915, 604/919, 604/920, 604/327, 604/329
• US Class Current: 600/29
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/1085 Bladder
• 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: F21W 2121/006 for illumination or simulation of snowy or iced items, e.g. icicle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/25 Artificial sphincters and devices for controlling urinary incontinence

Abstract

An endourethral device is provided having an elongate member having proximal and distal segments, the elongate member positionable within a lower urinary tract so as to at least partially traverses a prostatic urethra. A proximal anchor, adapted to abuttingly engage portions of a bladder neck so as to at least proximally anchor the device, is supported at least indirectly by the proximal segment of said elongate member. The proximal anchor includes bladder engaging elements radially extending from the proximal segment of said elongate member, urine being freely dischargable about at least the proximal segment so as to substantially bathe the bladder neck therewith.

Claims

1. An endourethral device comprising a prostatic stent body, a first anchor, and a second anchor, said prostatic stent body comprising opposing proximal and distal portions, said first anchor supported by said proximal portion of said prostatic stent body, said second anchor joined to said prostatic stent body so as to extend from said distal portion thereof, said first anchor comprising a fillable element fillable in furtherance of engagement with a portion of a bladder once the endourethral device is deployed so as to aid proximal anchoring of the endourethral device, said second anchor comprising a resilient element characterized by urethral engaging portions to aid distal anchoring of the endourethral device once deployed, said first anchor comprising a further fillable element, said fillable elements in a spaced apart condition about said proximal portion of said prostatic stent body.

2. An endourethral device comprising a prostatic stent body, a first anchor, and a second anchor, said prostatic stent body comprising opposing proximal and distal portions, said first anchor supported by said proximal portion of said prostatic stent body, said second anchor joined to said prostatic stent body so as to extend from said distal portion thereof, said first anchor comprising a fillable element fillable in furtherance of engagement with a portion of a bladder once the endourethral device is deployed so as to aid proximal anchoring of the endourethral device, said second anchor comprising a resilient element characterized by urethral engaging portions to aid distal anchoring of the endourethral device once deployed, said resilient element of said second anchor including a taper throughout a portion of a length thereof.

3. An endourethral device comprising a prostatic stent body, a first anchor, and a second anchor, said prostatic stent body comprising opposing proximal and distal portions, said first anchor supported by said proximal portion of said prostatic stent body, said second anchor joined to said prostatic stent body so as to extend from said distal portion thereof, said first anchor comprising a fillable element fillable in furtherance of engagement with a portion of a bladder once the endourethral device is deployed so as to aid proximal anchoring of the endourethral device, said second anchor comprising a resilient element characterized by urethral engaging portions to aid distal anchoring of the endourethral device once deployed, said urethral engaging portions of said resilient element of said second anchor delimit a proximal end for said resilient element, said resilient element tapering from said proximal end to a distal end thereof.

4. An endourethral device comprising a prostatic stent body, a first anchor, and a second anchor, said prostatic stent body comprising opposing proximal and distal portions, said first anchor supported by said proximal portion of said prostatic stent body, said second anchor joined to said prostatic stent body so as to extend from said distal portion thereof, said first anchor comprising a fillable element fillable in furtherance of engagement with a portion of a bladder once the endourethral device is deployed so as to aid proximal anchoring of the endourethral device, said second anchor comprising a resilient element characterized by urethral engaging portions to aid distal anchoring of the endourethral device once deployed, said urethral engaging portions of said resilient element of said second anchor including deformable lateral edges.

5. An endourethral device comprising a prostatic stent body, a first anchor, and a second anchor, said prostatic stent body comprising opposing proximal and distal portions, said first anchor supported by said proximal portion of said prostatic stent body, said second anchor joined to said prostatic stent body so as to extend from said distal portion thereof, said first anchor comprising a fillable element fillable in furtherance of engagement with a portion of a bladder once the endourethral device is deployed so as to aid proximal anchoring of the endourethral device, said second anchor comprising a resilient element characterized by urethral engaging portions to aid distal anchoring of the endourethral device once deployed, said resilient element of said second anchor comprising a strut.

6. An endourethral device comprising a prostatic stent body, a first anchor, and a second anchor, said prostatic stent body comprising opposing proximal and distal portions, said first anchor supported by said proximal portion of said prostatic stent body, said second anchor joined to said prostatic stent body so as to extend from said distal portion thereof, said first anchor comprising a fillable element fillable in furtherance of engagement with a portion of a bladder once the endourethral device is deployed so as to aid proximal anchoring of the endourethral device, said second anchor comprising a resilient element characterized by urethral engaging portions to aid distal anchoring of the endourethral device once deployed, said resilient element of said second anchor comprising a silicone encapsulated strut.

7. An endourethral device comprising a prostatic stent body, a first anchor, and a second anchor, said prostatic stent body comprising opposing proximal and distal portions, said first anchor supported by said proximal portion of said prostatic stent body, said second anchor joined to said prostatic stent body so as to extend from said distal portion thereof, said first anchor comprising a fillable element fillable in furtherance of engagement with a portion of a bladder once the endourethral device is deployed so as to aid proximal anchoring of the endourethral device, said second anchor comprising a resilient element characterized by urethral engaging portions to aid distal anchoring of the endourethral device once deployed, said resilient element of said second anchor including a strut.

8. An endourethral device comprising a prostatic stent body, a first anchor, and a second anchor, said prostatic stent body comprising opposing proximal and distal portions, said first anchor supported by said proximal portion of said prostatic stent body, said second anchor joined to said prostatic stent body so as to extend from said distal portion thereof, said first anchor comprising a fillable element fillable in furtherance of engagement with a portion of a bladder once the endourethral device is deployed so as to aid proximal anchoring of the endourethral device, said second anchor comprising a resilient element characterized by urethral engaging portions to aid distal anchoring of the endourethral device once deployed, said resilient element of said second anchor including a hub and a strut extending from said hub.

9. An endourethral device comprising a prostatic stent body, a first anchor, and a second anchor, said prostatic stent body comprising opposing proximal and distal portions, said first anchor supported by said proximal portion of said prostatic stent body, said second anchor joined to said prostatic stent body so as to extend from said distal portion thereof, said first anchor comprising a fillable element fillable in furtherance of engagement with a portion of a bladder once the endourethral device is deployed so as to aid proximal anchoring of the endourethral device, said second anchor comprising a resilient element characterized by urethral engaging portions to aid distal anchoring of the endourethral device once deployed, said resilient element of said second anchor including proximal and distal ends, said distal end including a hub from which extends a strut.

10. An endourethral device comprising a prostatic stent body, a first anchor, and a second anchor, said prostatic stent body comprising opposing proximal and distal portions, said first anchor supported by said proximal portion of said prostatic stent body, said second anchor joined to said prostatic stent body so as to extend from said distal portion thereof, said first anchor comprising a fillable element fillable in furtherance of engagement with a portion of a bladder once the endourethral device is deployed so as to aid proximal anchoring of the endourethral device, said second anchor comprising a resilient element characterized by urethral engaging portions to aid distal anchoring of the endourethral device once deployed, urethral engaging portions of said resilient element of said second anchor comprising strut segments.

11. An endourethral device comprising a prostatic stent body, a first anchor, and a second anchor, said prostatic stent body comprising opposing proximal and distal portions, said first anchor supported by said proximal portion of said prostatic stent body, said second anchor joined to said prostatic stent body so as to extend from said distal portion thereof, said first anchor comprising a fillable element fillable in furtherance of engagement with a portion of a bladder once the endourethral device is deployed so as to aid proximal anchoring of the endourethral device, said second anchor comprising a resilient element characterized by urethral engaging portions to aid distal anchoring of the endourethral device once deployed, said prostatic stent body comprising an opened pitch coil.

12. An endourethral device comprising a prostatic stent body, a first anchor, and a second anchor, said prostatic stent body comprising opposing proximal and distal portions, said first anchor supported by said proximal portion of said prostatic stent body, said second anchor joined to said prostatic stent body so as to extend from said distal portion thereof, said first anchor comprising a fillable element fillable in furtherance of engagement with a portion of a bladder once the endourethral device is deployed so as to aid proximal anchoring of the endourethral device, said second anchor comprising a resilient element characterized by urethral engaging portions to aid distal anchoring of the endourethral device once deployed, said prostatic stent body comprising an encapsulated structural element.

13. An endourethral device comprising a prostatic stent body, a first anchor, and a second anchor, said prostatic stent body comprising opposing proximal and distal portions, said first anchor supported by said proximal portion of said prostatic stent body, said second anchor joined to said prostatic stent body so as to extend from said distal portion thereof, said first anchor comprising a fillable element fillable in furtherance of engagement with a portion of a bladder once the endourethral device is deployed so as to aid proximal anchoring of the endourethral device, said second anchor comprising a resilient element characterized by urethral engaging portions to aid distal anchoring of the endourethral device once deployed, said prostatic stent body comprising an encapsulated helical support element.

14. An endourethral device comprising a prostatic stent body, a first anchor, and a second anchor, said prostatic stent body comprising opposing proximal and distal portions, said first anchor supported by said proximal portion of said prostatic stent body, said second anchor joined to said prostatic stent body so as to extend from said distal portion thereof, said first anchor comprising a fillable element fillable in furtherance of engagement with a portion of a bladder once the endourethral device is deployed so as to aid proximal anchoring of the endourethral device, said second anchor comprising a resilient element characterized by urethral engaging portions to aid distal anchoring of the endourethral device once deployed, said second anchor being joined to said prostatic stent body via a tether.

15. An endourethral device comprising a prostatic stent body, a first anchor, and a second anchor, said prostatic stent body comprising opposing proximal and distal portions, said first anchor supported by said proximal portion of said prostatic stent body, said second anchor joined to said prostatic stent body so as to extend from said distal portion thereof, said first anchor comprising a fillable element fillable in furtherance of engagement with a portion of a bladder once the endourethral device is deployed so as to aid proximal anchoring of the endourethral device, said second anchor comprising a resilient element characterized by urethral engaging portions to aid distal anchoring of the endourethral device once deployed, said second anchor being joined to said prostatic stent body via a pliable tether.

16. An endourethral device comprising a prostatic stent body, a first anchor, and a second anchor, said prostatic stent body comprising opposing proximal and distal portions, said first anchor supported by said proximal portion of said prostatic stent body, said second anchor joined to said prostatic stent body so as to extend from said distal portion thereof, said first anchor comprising a fillable element fillable in furtherance of engagement with a portion of a bladder once the endourethral device is deployed so as to aid proximal anchoring of the endourethral device, said second anchor comprising a resilient element characterized by urethral engaging portions to aid distal anchoring of the endourethral device once deployed, said second anchor being joined to said prostatic stent body via an adjustable length tether.

17. An endourethral device comprising a prostatic stent body, a first anchor, and a second anchor, said prostatic stent body comprising opposing proximal and distal portions, said first anchor supported by said proximal portion of said prostatic stent body, said second anchor joined to said prostatic stent body so as to extend from said distal portion thereof, said first anchor comprising a fillable element fillable in furtherance of engagement with a portion of a bladder once the endourethral device is deployed so as to aid proximal anchoring of the endourethral device, said second anchor comprising a resilient element characterized by urethral engaging portions to aid distal anchoring of the endourethral device once deployed, said second anchor being joined to said prostatic stent body via a rigid tether.

18. An endourethral device comprising a prostatic stent body, a first anchor, and a second anchor, said prostatic stent body comprising opposing proximal and distal portions, said first anchor supported by said proximal portion of said prostatic stent body, said second anchor joined to said prostatic stent body so as to extend from said distal portion thereof, said first anchor comprising a fillable element fillable in furtherance of engagement with a portion of a bladder once the endourethral device is deployed so as to aid proximal anchoring of the endourethral device, said second anchor comprising a resilient element characterized by urethral engaging portions to aid distal anchoring of the endourethral device once deployed, said second anchor being joined to said prostatic stent body via a suture material.

19. An endourethral device comprising a prostatic stent body, a first anchor, and a second anchor, said prostatic stent body comprising opposing proximal and distal portions, said first anchor supported by said proximal portion of said prostatic stent body, said second anchor joined to said prostatic stent body so as to extend from said distal portion thereof, said first anchor comprising a fillable element fillable in furtherance of engagement with a portion of a bladder once the endourethral device is deployed so as to aid proximal anchoring of the endourethral device, said second anchor comprising a resilient element characterized by urethral engaging portions to aid distal anchoring of the endourethral device once deployed, said second anchor being joined to said prostatic stent body via a wire of up to 0.025 inches in diameter.

20. An endourethral device comprising a prostatic stent body, a first anchor, and a second anchor, said prostatic stent body comprising opposing proximal and distal portions, said first anchor supported by said proximal portion of said prostatic stent body, said second anchor joined to said prostatic stent body so as to extend from said distal portion thereof, said first anchor comprising a fillable element fillable in furtherance of engagement with a portion of a bladder once the endourethral device is deployed so as to aid proximal anchoring of the endourethral device, said second anchor comprising a resilient element characterized by urethral engaging portions to aid distal anchoring of the endourethral device once deployed, the endourethral device further comprising a removal tether, said second anchor joined to said prostatic stent body via an anchor tether which extends therethrough, said removal tether united with said anchor tether.

21. An endourethral device comprising a prostatic stent body, a first anchor, and a second anchor, said prostatic stent body comprising opposing proximal and distal portions, said first anchor supported by said proximal portion of said prostatic stent body, said second anchor joined to said prostatic stent body so as to extend from said distal portion thereof, said first anchor comprising a fillable element fillable in furtherance of engagement with a portion of a bladder once the endourethral device is deployed so as to aid proximal anchoring of the endourethral device, said second anchor comprising a resilient element characterized by urethral engaging portions to aid distal anchoring of the endourethral device once deployed, the endourethral device further comprising a retrieval tether, said retrieval tether operatively linked to said second anchor.

22. An endourethral device comprising a prostatic stent body, a first anchor, and a second anchor, said prostatic stent body comprising opposing proximal and distal portions, said first anchor supported by said proximal portion of said prostatic stent body, said second anchor joined to said prostatic stent body so as to extend from said distal portion thereof, said first anchor comprising a fillable element fillable in furtherance of engagement with a portion of a bladder once the endourethral device is deployed so as to aid proximal anchoring of the endourethral device, said second anchor comprising a resilient element characterized by urethral engaging portions to aid distal anchoring of the endourethral device once deployed, the endourethral device further comprising a retrieval tether having a first portion indirectly fixed to a free end of said second anchor and a second portion extending to said first anchor.

23. An endourethral device comprising

a. a stent body adapted so as to be anchorable at a bladder neck so as to traverse a prostatic urethra once the endourethral device is deployed;

b. a mechanical anchor for operative engagement with a bulbous urethra once the endourethral device is deployed;

c. an anchor tether extending from said stent body for uniting said mechanical anchor with said stent body, and,

d. a retrieval tether for removing the endourethral device, said anchor tether united with said retrieval tether distal of a distal end of said mechanical anchor.