# US 7,608,067 B2 · Patient-adjustable incontinence device (AID)

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- Number: US 7,608,067 B2
- Document ID: US7608067B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 10/703,287
- Filed: 2003-11-06
- Published: 2004-07-29
- Granted: 2009-10-27
- Earliest claimed: 2002-11-06
- Inventors: Aram Bonni
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7608067B2

## CPC

- A61F 2/004: {inflatable}
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)

## Abstract

A patient-adjustable device and surgical method for the treatment of urinary incontinence is disclosed herein. More specifically, the device is a mesh surrounded pillow which is implanted near the attachment of the urethra to the bladder, or mid to distal urethra which can be controlled by the patient. The fullness of the pillow can be controlled by the patient using two pressure-sensitive controls under the skin.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of controlling urinary incontinence, comprising:
providing a device comprising a pillow and a control element just under the skin, wherein said pillow is located adjacent the urethra;
adjusting the pressure applied by said pillow to said urethra by activating said control element through the skin to selectively inhibit urination.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said control element comprises a valve.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said control element comprises a bulb.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said control element comprises a pump.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said control element comprises a one-way valve directed contrary to the flow direction.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said control element comprises a series of valves.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said control element is activatable by radiowaves, soundwaves, touch, pressure, or temperature.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method device of claim 1, wherein said urinary incontinence device alleviates incontinence in the female bladder.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said pillow is configured to rest at the junction of the bladder and the urethra.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said pillow is implanted in conjunction to the bladder neck.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein said pillow is implanted in conjunction to the bladder.

### Claim 12

A patient-adjustable urinary incontinence device comprising:
a pillow, configured for implantation adjacent a patient's urethra;
a patient-adjustable valve for draining the pillow; and
a patient-adjustable pump for filling the pillow to inhibit urination, wherein said pump comprises a series of valves and wherein said valve comprises a one-way valve directed contrary to the flow direction.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The device of claim 12, wherein said pump is just under the skin.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The device of claim 12, wherein said valve is just under the skin.

### Claim 15 (depends on 12)

The device of claim 12, further comprising a remote control device.

### Claim 16 (depends on 12)

The device of claim 12, wherein said pump is a reservoir.

### Claim 17 (depends on 12)

The device of claim 12, wherein said pillow is resilient.

### Claim 18 (depends on 16)

The device of claim 16, wherein said reservoir is resilient.

### Claim 19 (depends on 12)

The device of claim 12, wherein said pump comprises a bulb.

### Claim 20 (depends on 12)

The device of claim 12, wherein said pump comprises a series of valves.