219results about "Bed wetting prevention" patented technology

The present invention relates to a sling, methods of making and using a sling, and kits comprising a sling for treating urinary incontinence. The sling has multiple elongation properties that serve to improve the support of the urethra. The sling may comprise a coated material adapted for urethral suspension. The coated sling has properties that appear to enhance the sling elongation characteristics. The coated sling further includes properties that reduce its susceptibility to bacterial infections. The sling further includes properties to enhance the proper tensioning of the sling.

The present invention features a device to prevent the unwanted flow of urine in incontinent human males. This penile clamp is designed to provide an external pressure applied to the underside of the penis at the base thereof to close the urethral canal. The apparatus includes a rigid projection on the lower member of the device that applies a concentrated force on the canal. The upper bar of the device provides an attachment for a pad as an integral part of an easily disinfected clamp that is hinged at one end and provided with an adjustable tensioning closure device at its other end. The closure device is easily removable to allow one hand release of the penis restriction. A screw-type adjustment is easily set and is easily disassembled by a quick-release apparatus. While the clamp can be closed over the penis of an incontinent male to prevent urination, it does not appreciably restrict blood flow therein.

In a preferred application, e.g., the repair of vaginal prolapse after relocation of the vagina and any organs displaced by the prolapse, corrective surgery is initiated by applying a hollow tubular element, formed to forcibly insert a barbed anchor attached to a distal end of a first length of suture, without any incision, from the inside of the vagina through the vaginal wall (the supported tissue) into selected support tissue within a patient's pelvis. This involves puncturing and thus locally severe physical distressing of both the supported tissue and the support tissue. The barbed anchor is left in the support tissue as the tubular element is then withdrawn from the support tissue and out of the vagina, leaving the proximate end portion of the suture extending through the vaginal wall into the vagina. A second such anchor, with a second length of suture attached thereto, is similarly inserted adjacent to the first anchor. The proximate end portions of the sutures are tied to each other inside the vagina, to thereby secure the vaginal wall to the support tissue with corresponding punctures formed in each by the insertions of the two anchors being thereby held in respective, precisely aligned, intimate contact during healing. This results in a pair of fused scars that cooperate to permanently bond the vaginal wall locally to the support tissue. If the sutures and / or the anchors are made of absorbable material they will all eventually disappear and the fused scars will provide the permanent bonding. If the anchors are made of non-absorbable material they may remain where located. A plurality of such paired fused-scar bonds may be generated, at the surgeon's discretion, to ensure adequate support for the repaired vagina. The apparatus and method can be readily adapted to similarly effect deliberate, local, beneficial bonding between other adjacent living tissues in a patient.

Therapeutic devices and methods according to embodiments of the invention alleviate e.g. urinary incontinence in female and male patients. Suction or vacuum, for example, is applied to the genital region, clitoris or clitoral region, the external urethral orifice, and / or other designated areas, e.g. physically stimulating the sacral / pudendal nerves and / or nerve roots and alleviating incontinence. Such embodiments also can encourage or cause clitoral engorgement, or otherwise promote blood flow in the genital region. Vacuum or suction applied to e.g. the clitoris creates a negative pressure in the clitoris that is lower than the systolic blood pressure, tending to promote engorgement of the clitoris with blood. Aspects of the invention are applicable not only to treatment of urinary and fecal incontinence, but also to the treatment of female sexual dysfunction. Aspects of the invention are also applicable to treatment of male incontinence and male erectile dysfunction.

An implant for treating rectocele and / or prolapsus of the vaginal fornix is thin and flexible and includes a support body from which there extend at least two upper suspension stabilizers disposed on either side of a sagittal plane and two lower suspension stabilizers disposed on either side of the sagittal plane. The implant may be constructed from a suitable biocompatible material such as a woven synthetic material, or a knitted material of polypropylene or polyester fibers.

Therapeutic devices and methods according to embodiments of the invention alleviate e.g. urinary incontinence in female and male patients. Suction or vacuum, for example, is applied to the genital region, clitoris or clitoral region, the external urethral orifice, and / or other designated areas, e.g. physically stimulating the sacral / pudendal nerves and / or nerve roots and alleviating incontinence. Such embodiments also can encourage or cause clitoral engorgement, or otherwise promote blood flow in the genital region. Vacuum or suction applied to e.g. the clitoris creates a negative pressure in the clitoris that is lower than the systolic blood pressure, tending to promote engorgement of the clitoris with blood. Aspects of the invention are applicable not only to treatment of urinary and fecal incontinence, but also to the treatment of female sexual dysfunction. Aspects of the invention are also applicable to treatment of male incontinence and male erectile dysfunction.

A prosthesis for correcting urinary stress incontinence in women including right and left para-urethral hemi-prostheses, each of the hemi-prostheses formed of a biocompatible material and in the form of a strip, one end of the strip having a bulged portion and another end of which is adapted to be attached to the aponeurosis of the rectus muscle of the abdomen, and means for attaching the another end to the aponeurosis of the rectus muscle of the abdomen.

Sensors and systems for detecting predetermined environmental conditions or changes may include a device capable of providing information. The device may include either a shield or reconfigurable antenna. For example, in a first condition, a shield is configured to prevent communications with the device and, in a second condition, the shield is configured to enable communications with the device. Alternately, in a first condition, a reconfigurable antenna is configured to enable communications with the device and in a second condition the reconfigurable antenna is configured to prevent communications with the device. The shield or reconfigurable antenna may be configured to transition from first conditions to second conditions upon exposure to a predetermined environmental condition or change.

A flexible unit for collecting and transporting liquid to a collection point or to an area of use, and especially for facilitating management of urinary incontinence is provided which includes a flexible pad adapted to be positioned under an incontinent patient or worn under an undergarment. The pad is provided with an outer liquid permeable polymeric film layer, an outer liquid impermeable polymeric film layer and an intermediate cellular layer made up of a series of individual, spaced, thin wall, liquid impermeable polymeric cells. An aspiration assembly is connected to the pad for removing urine from the interior of the pad, which collects in the spaces between the individual cells. A disposable porous sheet, preferably comprising Dry-Weave® material, is releasably positioned over the outer permeable film layer of the pad. The pad may be sanitized and reused multiple times with only replacement of the Dry-Weave® sheet being required.

A compactable vaginal pessary for managing pelvic organ prolapse is provided. The compactable pessary easily expands once inside a patient's vagina, remaining firmly anchored in the vaginal cavity during movement, thereby effectively countering the effects of any prolapsing organ. In a first embodiment, the vaginal pessary employs an expandable and collapsible frame member, while in a second embodiment; the frame member is an open, substantially cone-shaped, collapsible frame member that is biased to an open position. In a third embodiment, the compactable vaginal pessary is a yieldably extensible, self-retracting pessary. The vaginal pessary of the present invention may be easily inserted and removed by a patient on a daily basis, or as needed, thereby facilitating good hygiene and thus reducing or eliminating common pessary related complications.

Sensors and systems for detecting predetermined environmental conditions or changes may include a device capable of storing, representing, or providing information, and a shield. The shield may be disposed proximate the device. The shield may have a first condition and a second condition. In the first condition the shield is configured to prevent access to information stored in or on, represented by or provided by the device. In the second condition the shield is configured to permit access to information stored in or on, represented by or provided by the device. The shield may be configured to transition from the first condition to the second condition when the shield is exposed to the predetermined environmental condition.

A method for treating urinary incontinence includes the steps of inserting into the woman's vagina a first disposable device, removing the first disposable device, and inserting a second disposable device substantially identical to the first disposable device. The disposable devices have a working portion with opposed faces to provide support to an associated urinary system and, optionally, an anchoring portion to maintain the disposable device in place during use. The working portion also has. The working portion also has an insertion equivalent diameter ranging from about 10 to about 25 mm and a use equivalent diameter ranging from about 25 to about 35 mm under an expansion pressure of about 20 to about 150 cm H2O.

An introducer device comprising: an introducer needle having a proximal end and a distal end and a handle having a needle receiving end. The handle can be adapted to receive said distal end of said introducer needle such that said introducer needle is selectably detachably coupled to said handle. A connector for attachment to an implant strip can have an arm having a hole therethrough and an introducer needle including a connection portion having a barb. It can comprise a central portion; a first arm pivotally mounted to the central portion and having a first projection and a second projection extending therefrom. A second arm can be pivotally mounted to the central portion and having a first hole and a second hole defined therein. The first and second holes can be positioned so that when the first arm pivots toward the second arm, the first and second projections are received in the first and second holes. A tube portion can extend from said central portion and define a tube aperture therein. The tube aperture can be adapted to receive the barb such that the connector can be selectably detachably coupled or permanently affixed to the introducer needle.

The inventive system includes an elongated band, which includes a urethral area at a central part of the band, the band including a first set of holes, one of the first set of holes located on one side of the central part and another of the first set of holes located on the other side of the central part along the length of the band, first threads passing through the first set of holes and configured to permit loosening of the band following the placement of the band and the conclusion of the operation, and a second set of holes located closer to distal ends of the band than the first set of holes, and second threads passing through the second set of holes and configured to permit tightening of the band following the placement of the band and the conclusion of the operation.

An apparatus comprising a sensing unit configured to predict a release of urine using one or more prediction parameters, detect an actual release of urine and adapt at least one of the one or more prediction parameters based on the actual release of urine to increase prediction accuracy.

A male urinary incontinence control device including a circumferentially continuous inflatable cuff having a plurality of inflatable passages therein, optionally reinforced by rigid members, that slips over the glans of the penis for positioning along the longitudinal axis of the penile shaft. Upon inflation, the cuff applies radially inwardly directed compressive force to the shaft of the penis with a concomitant restriction of the urethral passageway. The inflatable cuff in one embodiment includes an integrated hand pump for convenient inflation and deflation.

The invention describes methods and apparatus for creating permanent occlusion of body lumens such as the fallopian tubes. The methods and apparatus use non-surgical approaches to deliver permanent implants which create acute occlusion of desired body lumens which resolve to permanent occlusions of the lumens.

A urinary incontinence device comprising a flexible but shape-retaining body portion is disclosed wherein the body portion has a longitudinal axis extending from an anterior end to a posterior end thereof. The body portion is elongated in the direction of the longitudinal axis and has a length and width sufficient to cover the vulva or retracted penis of a human female or male and to form a urine-receiving receptacle. The receptacle h a shallow urine directing portion sloping inwardly and downwardly away from the vulva or retracted penis, and a deeper, narrower central urine collection portion having a urine outlet. The receptacle is elongated in the direction of the longitudinal ax of the body portion. The device also includes an attachment flange having an anterior end and a posterior end corresponding to the anterior end and the posterior end of the body portion, respectively. The attachment flange is formed to extend outwardly away from the body portion, and it includes an adhesive thereon for securing the device to entirely cover the vulva or retracted penis of a human female or male.

Sensors and systems for detecting predetermined environmental conditions or changes may include a device capable of providing information. The device may include either a shield or reconfigurable antenna. For example, in a first condition, a shield is configured to prevent communications with the device and, in a second condition, the shield is configured to enable communications with the device. Alternately, in a first condition, a reconfigurable antenna is configured to enable communications with the device and in a second condition the reconfigurable antenna is configured to prevent communications with the device. The shield or reconfigurable antenna may be configured to transition from first conditions to second conditions upon exposure to a predetermined environmental condition or change.

An improved device for male hygiene intended for collection of urine is described. An absorbent pad comprises a polymer that forms a gel upon contact with water, which is enclosed in a water-permeable, corrugated plastic pouch. The pouch is contained, optionally by adhesive, in a flexible stretchable water-impermeable sheath, which in use is placed over at least the glans of the penis. Because of the corrugations, the absorbent pad curls up into a cup shape when it swells upon absorption of urine, maintaining the device in a compact configuration for inconspicuous functioning. The absorbent pad may be supplied separately from the flexible sheath.

A fluid management cover system of launderable and durable character including at least one fluid transport layer with at least one absorptive reservoir layer disposed in underlying relation to the fluid transport layer. The upper surface of the absorptive reservoir layer is characterized by a greater capillarity than the adjacent surface of the fluid transport layer such that fluid is drawn away from the fluid transport layer and is held within the absorptive reservoir layer. At least one pressure distribution layer incorporating material that at least partially recovers following compression is disposed at a position below the absorptive reservoir layer. An optional skin contacting layer may be disposed above the fluid transport layer and an optional backing layer may be disposed in underlying relation to other layers.

A compactable vaginal pessary for managing pelvic organ prolapse is provided. The compactable pessary easily expands once inside a patient's vagina, remaining firmly anchored in the vaginal cavity during movement, thereby effectively countering the effects of any prolapsing organ. In a first embodiment, the vaginal pessary employs an expandable and collapsible frame member, while in a second embodiment; the frame member is an open, substantially cone-shaped, collapsible frame member that is biased to an open position. In a third embodiment, the compactable vaginal pessary is a yieldably extensible, self-retracting pessary. The vaginal pessary of the present invention may be easily inserted and removed by a patient on a daily basis, or as needed, thereby facilitating good hygiene and thus reducing or eliminating common pessary related complications.

A system for supporting the urethra using an introducer needle, the ends of which are flattened and which have openings therethrough, a handle having a latch mechanism which engages the opening in the flattened portion of the first end of the introducer needle, an implant, and a connector joining the end of the implant to the flattened portion of one of the ends of the introducer needle. These components are used to draw the implant into position, either through vaginal or abdominal incisions, to form a U-shaped loop beneath the urethra. The ends of the implant are adjusted to provide proper support for the urethra. The implant can have slits that open under applied tensile force.

An applicator for placing an insert within a vagina. The insert can be a catamenial tampon, incontinence device, medicament, dressing, and the like. The applicator has orientation indicators to allow the user to properly orientate the insert within the vagina. The applicator also has an inwardly curved radius on the leading edge to reduce any resistance during insertion and withdrawal of the applicator. The applicator may also have at least one vent to facilitate expulsion of the insert or to deliver medicaments or lubricants inside the body cavity. The insert applicator has a rounded cross-section to maximize the available space for the insert, while also facilitating insertion of the applicator into the vagina.

Sealing device for sealing externally debouching, natural or artificial body canals of animals or human beings, the device enabling liquid tight sealing against the inner wall of the bowel system of the animal or human being, the device further being made from a resilient material. The device is soft and resilient and may thus not trigger the analreflex, but is still able to provide a fluid-tight seal.