Intra-urethral device for incontinence and method for making and using the same
AssigneeClemson University
InventorRobert A. Latour, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An intra-urethral device that can be used to inhibit leakage of urine due to incontinence is provided. The intra-urethral device can include a urethral plug made from a biocompatible, flexible material, and can be formed into an oblong shape so as to better correspond to the contours of the female urinary tract. In some instances, the intra-urethral device can also include an insertion element that can facilitate self-insertion and the ability of a fluid seal to form between the urethral plug and the walls of the urethra. Furthermore, in some instances, various mechanisms can be provided to keep the intra-urethral device substantially sterile throughout the insertion process.
Claims40
An incontinent device for use in a female urinary tract comprising:
- a urethral plug defining an internal chamber, said internal chamber having a distal end and a proximal end, said distal end of said internal chamber being closed and said proximal end of said internal chamber being open, said urethral plug being configured to be positioned within a urethra;
- an insertion element adapted to be inserted into said internal chamber of said urethral plug through said open proximal end, said insertion element being further adapted to be withdrawn from said urethral plug;
- and
- said distal end of said urethral plug deforming after withdrawal of said insertion element from said urethral plug with said urethral plug positioned within said urethra, said deformable distal end being cooperable with the walls of said urethra to form a seal therewith for substantially inhibiting urine leakage from said urethra around said urethral plug.
An incontinent device for use in a female urinary tract comprising:
- a urethral plug defining an internal chamber, said internal chamber having a distal end and a proximal end, said distal end of said internal chamber being closed and said proximal end of said internal chamber being open, said urethral plug being configured to be positioned within a urethra;
- and
- an enclosure surrounding at least a portion of said urethral plug wherein said enclosure is adapted to provide a barrier between said urethral plug and atmosphere during insertion of said urethral plug so as to substantially maintain the sterility of said urethral plug.
An incontinent device for use in a female urinary tract comprising:
- a urethral plug defining an internal chamber, said internal chamber having a distal end and a proximal end, said distal end of said internal chamber being closed and said proximal end of said internal chamber being open, said urethral plug being configured to be positioned within a urethra;
- an insertion element adapted to be inserted into said internal chamber of said urethral plug through said open proximal end, said insertion element being further adapted to be withdrawn from said urethral plug, said insertion element having a substantially solid center;
- and
- said distal end of said urethral plug deforming soon after withdrawal of said insertion element from said urethral plug with said urethral plug positioned within said urethra, said deformable distal end being cooperable with the walls of said urethra to form a seal therewith for substantially inhibiting urine leakage from said urethra around said urethral plug.
An incontinent device for use in a female urinary tract comprising:
- a urethral plug defining an internal chamber, said internal chamber having a distal end and a proximal end, said distal end of said internal chamber being closed and said proximal end of said internal chamber being open, said urethral plug being configured to be positioned within a urethra;
- an insertion element adapted to be inserted into said internal chamber of said urethral plug through said open proximal end, said insertion element being further adapted to be withdrawn from said urethral plug, said insertion element having a distal end and a proximal end, said insertion element defining a hollow center and an opening in proximity to said distal end, said opening being in communication with said hollow center;
- and
- said distal end of said urethral plug being capable of substantially deforming only upon receipt of a fluid after withdrawal of said insertion element from said urethral plug with said urethral plug positioned within said urethra, said deformable distal end being cooperable with the walls of said urethra to form a seal therewith, said seal substantially inhibiting urine leakage from said urethra around said urethral plug.
A method of substantially inhibiting the leakage of urine from a female urinary tract, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a urethral plug, said urethral plug defining an internal chamber, said internal chamber having a distal end and a proximal end, said distal end of said internal chamber being closed and said proximal end of said internal chamber being open;
- placing an insertion element into said internal chamber of said urethral plug through said proximal end;
- inserting said urethral plug and said insertion element into a urethra;
- and
- withdrawing said insertion element from said urethral plug with said urethral plug remaining substantially within said urethra, said withdrawal of said insertion element causing said distal end to at least slightly deform, said distal end being cooperable with the walls of said urethra to form a seal therewith for substantially inhibiting urine leakage from said urethra around said urethral plug.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.