Surgery – Body protecting or restraining devices for patients or infants – Restrainers and immobilizers
Patent
1990-03-15
1992-01-21
Hafer, Robert A.
Surgery
Body protecting or restraining devices for patients or infants
Restrainers and immobilizers
600 29, 600 30, 623 12, A61F 548
Patent
active
050820060
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a device for preventing involuntary micturition, preferably in human females.
BACKGROUND ART
Numerous devices for preventing involuntary micturition in human females are known. Such devices include for instance a device inserted in the urethra by means of a special instrument, said device expanding in the urethra when the instrument is removed. Such devices are usually difficult to manipulate and irritate a patient during use.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to provide a device easy to insert and causing no irritation to a patient carrying the device.
The object of the invention is accomplished by a device comprising an oblong, substantially form-stable, flexible body with varying cross-sectional area depending on the distance from an end of the body and providing at least one knob forming a thickening arranged at a distance from a first end of the body, and that the first end of the oblong body is provided with a comparatively thin, transverse flap, extending substantially perpendicular to the axis of the body.
As a result the inventive device is easily inserted in the urethra and has shown itself to be unproblematic during use. Moreover the device is easily removable, since it can be pressed out by the user during voluntary micturition. Optionally it can also be withdrawn by holding on to the flap. The flap acts also as a safeguard against the device being too deeply inserted in the urethra. Further the inventive device is of special advantage with respect to prevention of involuntary micturition due to its tendency to position itself in such a way that the knobs are located within the strongest sections of the urethral muscles, thus increasing the sphincteral pressure of the urethra.
In an especially preferred embodiment the oblong body is a shaft comprising three mutually spaced knobs.
In accordance with the invention the knob or knobs can be of ellipsoid shape thus achieving an especially gentle and well-functioning co-operation with the surrounding urethral tissue and muscles.
Further in accordance with the invention, the thin, transverse flap can have the form of an annular disc. Thus the inventive device is easy to manipulate during the insertion and the optional withdrawal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side view of an especially suitable embodiment of an inventive device, and
FIG. 2 is a graphic representation of the pressure in the urethra of a person with a normally functioning urethra, and of a patient suffering from urinary incontinence.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The device of FIG. 1 comprises an oblong body in form of a comparatively thin shaft 1 with three mutually spaced ellipsoid knobs 2, 3 and 4, the knob 4 being at the distal end of the shaft, said end being placed furthest inside the urethra during use. The proximal end of the shaft 1 is provided with a thin disc 5.
In a preferred embodiment the device is of a length of approx. 5 cm, and the shaft 1 is of annular cross-section with a diameter of approx. 2 mm. The knobs 2, 3 and 4 have a mutual distance of approx. 4 mm and their largest diameter measured perpendicular to the shaft is approx. 7 mm. The length of the knobs 2, 3 and 4 is approx. 8 mm, measured in the longitudinal direction of the shaft. The annular disc 5 is of a diameter of approx. 14 mm and of a thickness of less than 0.5 mm. The entire device is suitably integrally made of a comparatively soft plastic material having such a rigidity that it is easily inserted in the urethra. The shaft is optionally hollow to receive an insertion means in form of a long, thin pin. The plastic material is preferably tissue-compatible and desinfecting.
The urethra of an adult human female is usually of a length of 3-5 cm and surrounded by muscles over its entire length from the bladder to the external urethral ostium. The strongest muscles of this muscle group are situated adjacent the bladder as well as in the middle of the urethra. These muscles usually seal off
REFERENCES:
patent: 3394705 (1968-07-01), Abramson
patent: 3777755 (1973-12-01), Groves
patent: 3848602 (1974-11-01), Gutnick
patent: 4237894 (1980-12-01), Cohen
patent: 4423725 (1984-01-01), Baran et al.
patent: 4645493 (1987-02-01), Ferrando et al.
patent: 4650474 (1987-03-01), De Backer
patent: 4690677 (1987-09-01), Erb
patent: 4784651 (1988-11-01), Hickey
patent: 4909785 (1990-03-01), Burton et al.
patent: 4930496 (1990-06-01), Bosley
patent: 4946449 (1990-08-01), Davis, Jr.
patent: 5012822 (1991-05-01), Schwarz
patent: 5036867 (1991-08-01), Biswas
Hafer Robert A.
Owens Kerry
LandOfFree
Device for preventing involuntary micturition does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Device for preventing involuntary micturition, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Device for preventing involuntary micturition will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-110524