초록 ▼

A novel urethral plug comprising a cooperating shaft and balloon, lying in coaxial engagement. The balloon 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.

A novel urethral plug comprising a cooperating shaft and balloon, lying in coaxial engagement. The balloon 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 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, thus pushing the ball past a valve seat, thereby permitting fluid to travel through the shaft and into the balloon. Fluid transmission continues until the balloon is expanded to such an extent as to block the flow of urine. The balloon retains the fluid therein, and the force of the fluid on the ball valve causes the ball to rest firmly against the valve seat. The balloon, when expanded thus functions to seal the plug to the urethra, bladder neck and bladder. Deflation of the plug for bladder evacuation, is easily accomplished by pulling a cord causing the removal of the ball from the valve seat towards the proximal end of the plug and out of the aperture, thus expelling the fluid contained within the balloon. Removal is then easily and comfortably accomplished by grasping a tab associated with said meatal plate, at which point the wearer can void. There is further provided a urethral plug assembly comprising a urethral plug with applicator and mirror for ease of insertion and inflation of the plug in a sterile manner.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We hereby claim:] [1.] A remove-to-void plug for use in the urethra to control urinary incontinence, said plug to be inserted into the urethral opening, comprising:a plug forming body being closed to urine having a channel therein and having a proximal end and a distal end,a fluid-impermeable ball

[ We hereby claim:] [1.] A remove-to-void plug for use in the urethra to control urinary incontinence, said plug to be inserted into the urethral opening, comprising:a plug forming body being closed to urine having a channel therein and having a proximal end and a distal end,a fluid-impermeable balloon affixed to the distal end of said plug forming body and fluidly coupled with said channel, said balloon having an outer surface free of protrusions,a valve positioned within said channel of said plug forming body, said valve having a chord affixed thereto,a fluid source external to said plug forming body, said fluid source being removably coupled to the proximal end of said plug forming body, said fluid source transmitting fluid through said channel, displacing said valve and inflating said balloon, said valve being reversely displaced after inflation to maintain said balloon in an inflated state.