FLUIDLY EXPANDABLE URETHRAL PLUG ASSEMBLY WHICH RECEIVES FLUID FROM AN EXTERNAL SOURCE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING URINARY INCONTINENCE

摘要

This invention is a novel urethral plug (1) comprising a cooperating shaft (12) and balloon (18), lying in coaxial engagement. The balloon (18) possesses a contracted shape for insertion and removal through the opening of the urethra, and a larger, expanded shape for blocking the flow of urine in the urethra, bladder neck, and bladder. After insertion such an expanded shape is achieved by inflation of the balloon (18) through the use of an external source such as a syringe which introduces fluid through an opening and into the shaft. The fluid acts upon a ball valve (22), thus pushing the ball past a valve seat, thereby permitting fluid to travel through the shaft and into the balloon (18). Fluid transmission continues until the balloon (18) is expanded to such an extent as to block the flow of urine.