Apparatus and method for inhibiting stress urinary incontinence

摘要

An apparatus (60) for use within a woman's urethra (9) for inhibiting urine outflow when her intra-abdominal pressure rises. The apparatus (60) includes a generally tubular device (50) having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis. Device (50) comprises structure (5) that is constructed and arranged to define a longitudinal passageway (14) that extends entirely through the device (50) from the proximal end to the distal end. Structure (5) is further constructed and arranged to be altered via an increase in intra-abdominal pressure, from a first state in which the passageway (14) is open along its length and able to conduct urine to a second state in which the passageway (14a) is more restricted or is closed off, to inhibit the passage of urine.

主权项

1. An apparatus for use entirely within a woman's urethra for inhibiting urine outflow when her intra-abdominal pressure rises, comprising:
a generally tubular device having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis; wherein the device comprises structure comprising at least one liquid-filled flexible chamber, where the structure is constructed and arranged to define a longitudinal passageway having a length that extends entirely through the device from the proximal end to the distal end, and a frame that overlies part but not all of each chamber; and wherein the structure is further constructed and arranged such that an increase in intra-abdominal pressure causes flow of the liquid in at least one of the at least one chamber, to alter the structure, from a first state in which the passageway is open along its length and able to conduct urine to a second state in which the passageway is more restricted or is closed off, to inhibit the passage of urine.