Trans-urethral incontinence device.

摘要

This invention describes a urethra insertable in-dwelling incontinence control device. In a typical embodiment of this invention, a flexible tube (10) has two deformable retention means (12, (13) affixed to the exterior of the tube near one end, and a valve (20) bonded to the tube at the opposite end. Each of the deformable retention means (12, (13) is composed of a foam cuff (13a) having interconnecting interstices filled with air when the cuff is (13a) in its normally expanded condition. A lumen (11) extending along the length of the interior surface of the flexible tube and plugged at each end communicates with the foam cuffs. A syringe can be inserted through a port into the lumen to be used to withdraw the air from the interstices in the foam cuffs. When the air is withdrawn, the foam cuff retention means assume a contracted condition for insertion into the patient's urethra (50). The hypodermic can then be used to inject air into the interstices, thereby causing the retention means (12), (13) to expand to hold the incontinence device in position within the urethra (50). The valve (20) in this embodiment is a two-position ball valve that is manually conducted along a channel to alternatively close and open the exit end of the flexible tube (10). The ball (30) in the valve can be seated in recesses in the valve (20) to retain the ball (30) in the open position when urination is desired and in the open position when urination is completed.