| 摘要 |
<p>A urethral plug (10) possessing a contracted diameter for insertion and removal through the orifice of the urethra, and a larger, expanded diameter for blocking the flow of urine in the urethra, bladder neck and bladder. In a first embodiment, the plug (10) comprises a cooperating housing and inner member lying in coaxial engagement. A larger diameter is achieved by mechanical deployment of the inner member, resulting in the changing of the shape of the housing, or in another embodiment, the changing of the shape of the inner member. In a further embodiment the urethral plug comprises a housing comprised of material which undergoes automatic expansion when exposed to temperature. The urethral plug (10) assumes a non-expanded first condition when exposed to a temperature approximately less than that of a mammalian body, and assumes an expanded second condition when exposed to a transition temperature of approximately the body temperature of a mammal.</p> |
