203 results about "Urine flow" patented technology

A device and method for treatment of urinary stress incontinence. At least one electrode is implanted in a pelvic muscle of a patient. A control unit receives signals indicative of abdominal stress in the patient and responsive thereto applies an electrical waveform to the electrode which stimulates the muscle to contract, so as to inhibit involuntary urine flow through the patient's urethra due to the stress.

A device and method for treatment of urinary stress incontinence. At least one electrode is implanted in a pelvic muscle of a patient. A control unit receives signals indicative of abdominal stress in the patient and responsive thereto applies an electrical waveform to the electrode which stimulates the muscle to contract, so as to inhibit involuntary urine flow through the patient's urethra due to the stress.

A magnetic actuation urethral valve is adapted for inserting into the urethra of a patient who suffering from urinary incontinence in order to recover control of urine flow. The valve member is driven by a magnet rotor which is magnetically actuated by a rotating magnetic field generated from a controller outside the body. There is also an actuation device for the user to discharge by inserting an indwelling catheter into the valve in case the valve does not work for any reason.

The present invention comprises a plurality of injectable hollow particulate fillers suspended in a biocompatible fluid carrier to significantly improve the clumping resistance and injectability of the composition. The hollow particulate fillers have a lower effective density and are able to suspend in the carrier without precipitation. The loss of skin volume as a result of aging, diseases, weight loss, and injury can lead to uneven skin surface (e.g. wrinkle, etc.). The uneven skin can be repaired by injecting appropriate amount of hollow fillers underneath the skin. Some cases of urinary incontinence occur when the resistance to urine flow has decreased excessively. Continence is restored by injecting the present invention to the urethra tissue to increase resistance to urine outflow. Similarly, the present invention allows for the control of gastric fluid reflux by submucosal injections of the fillers to the esophageal-gastric and gastric-pyloric junction. For patients with vesicoureteral reflux, it can be treated by injection of the present invention into patients' ureteral tissue. This invention can also be used to repair defective or inadequately functioning muscles of the anal sphincter by administering an effective amount of injectable hollow fillers into the defect or anal sinuses.

A urinary catheter and method of its use for measuring the internal pressure of a human or other mammal. The catheter includes three lumens, or channels. The first lumen is dedicated to draining urine, the second lumen is dedicated to a retention balloon, and the third lumen is available for connection to a pressure transducer. In use, the catheter is installed in a patient, the third lumen is filled with a pressure transmitting medium, connected to a pressure sensor, and the patient's intra-abdominal pressure is monitored without interruption of the urine flow.

Methods for increasing urine flow are disclosed, comprising administration of an effective amount of GLP-1, an exendin, or an exendin or GLP-1 agonist. Methods for increasing urinary sodium excretion and decreasing urinary potassium concentration are also disclosed. The methods are useful for treating conditions or disorders associated with toxic hypervolemia, such as renal failure, congestive heart failure, nephrotic syndrome, cirrhosis, pulmonary edema, and hypertension. The present invention also relates to methods for inducing an inotropic response comprising administration of an effective amount of GLP-1, an exendin, or an exendin or GLP-1 agonist. These methods are useful for treating conditions or disorders that can be alleviated by an increase in cardiac contractility such as congestive heart failure. Pharmaceutical compositions for use in the methods of the invention are also disclosed.

A method and apparatus is provided for heating or cooling at least a selected portion of a patient's body. The method begins by inserting a catheter through the urethra and into the bladder of the patient. A heated or chilled fluid is conducted through a supply lumen of the catheter and into the bladder. The fluid is evacuated from the bladder through a return lumen of the catheter. Finally, a quantity of urine is monitored which flows out of the bladder and through the return lumen of the catheter. The rate of fluid flowing through the supply lumen of the catheter may be adjusted in a manner that is based at least in part on the monitored quantity of urine flowing out of the bladder.

An automatic urine disposal device has a urine collecting pad, vacuum pump, and urine tank. In the urine collecting pad, the top sheet comes in contact with the wearer's skin, the hydrophilic sheet is disposed on the bottom of the top sheet, and the urine absorbent sheet is disposed at the bottom. When discharged urine flows in the top sheet, the hydrophilic sheet widely diffuses urine to saturate its entire surface and then becomes non-breathable. As the vacuum pump vacuums the air from the urine tank, urine is directed from a urine drainage port of the urine collecting pad via a urine drainage tube to the urine tank which is a sealed container.

An indwelling catheter is positioned in a urinary tract to drain urine from the bladder to a position distally adjacent to a sphincter muscle. A balloon of the catheter is inflated through an inflation tube extending through the urinary tract. A coiled section of the inflation tube contacts the constriction caused by the sphincter muscle. The balloon and the coiled section resist movement of the indwelling catheter while still permitting natural urination. The indwelling catheter is inserted by an insertion tool which is separably connected to the catheter. Once the indwelling catheter is positioned, the tool is disconnected and withdrawn from the urinary tract. Risks of blood clots obstructing the flow of urine through the indwelling catheter immediately following a surgical procedure on the prostate gland are avoided by flushing fluid through the insertion tool and the catheter to clear an internal urine flow passageway in the catheter.

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for maintaining urine flow during and after urological procedures. The invention includes a stent for long term insertion into a patient's urinary tract, a Foley catheter which is used to support the stent during placement, a positioning shaft which is used to position the stent with respect to the catheter, and a protective sheath that retains these components in place during insertion of the stent. Alternatively, a Foley catheter with two balloons may be used in place of the stent positioner, with the stent being accurately positioned with one of the two balloons being surrounded by the stent.

The disclosed system improves urine flow by increasing the inside diameter of the urethra going through the prostate by eroding the urethral wall, rather than by reducing the prostate volume. This is done by a specially designed IRE electrode, which limits the penetration depth of the electric field to the urethral wall.

An automatic urine disposal device has a urine collecting pad, vacuum pump, and urine tank. In the urine collecting pad, the top sheet comes in contact with the wearer's skin, the hydrophilic sheet is disposed on the bottom of the top sheet, and the urine absorbent sheet is disposed at the bottom. When discharged urine flows in the top sheet, the hydrophilic sheet widely diffuses urine to saturate its entire surface and then becomes non-breathable. As the vacuum pump vacuums the air from the urine tank, urine is directed from a urine drainage port of the urine collecting pad via a urine drainage tube to the urine tank which is a sealed container.

The present invention comprises a plurality of injectable hollow particulate fillers suspended in a biocompatible fluid carrier to significantly improve the clumping resistance and injectability of the composition. The hollow particulate fillers have a lower effective density and are able to suspend in the carrier without precipitation. The loss of skin volume as a result of aging, diseases, weight loss, and injury can lead to uneven skin surface (e.g. wrinkle, etc.). The uneven skin can be repaired by injecting appropriate amount of hollow fillers underneath the skin. Some cases of urinary incontinence occur when the resistance to urine flow has decreased excessively. Continence is restored by injecting the present invention to the urethra tissue to increase resistance to urine outflow. Similarly, the present invention allows for the control of gastric fluid reflux by submucosal injections of the fillers to the esophageal-gastric and gastric-pyloric junction. For patients with vesicoureteral reflux, it can be treated by injection of the present invention into patients' ureteral tissue. This invention can also be used to repair defective or inadequately functioning muscles of the anal sphincter by administering an effective amount of injectable hollow fillers into the defect or anal sinuses.

A male incontinence device includes a receptacle formed of a shape-retaining material, and having a first open end adapted for receiving the penis of a user and a second end defining a urine discharge port. The discharge port is adapted for being located forward of the penis. A back flow chamber is formed with an interior of the receptacle, and is adapted for capturing urine flowing backward towards the user and away from the discharge port. A collection bag has a mouth communicating with the discharge port for collecting urine discharged through the receptacle. A support harness is adapted for being worn by the user to support the receptacle in an operative position during use.

The present disclosure generally pertains to a device and system for preventing urinary backflow into the urinary tract of a patient. The device comprises a one-way valve which allows for unobstructed urine flow in the direction of the urine towards the urine collection container and away from the catheter. The device prevents backflow into the catheter in situations where the urine collection container is raised above the level of the bladder. The components on the exit side of the valve are coated with an antimicrobial substance to prevent bacterial contamination of the system. The exit volume also contains a silver coated high surface area element to serve as an antibacterial kill site. The inlet side of the device has a volume and access port for urine sampling, with a one-way valve element providing isolation from contamination from the urine collection system.

The invention emulates the operation of a healthy urethra by providing a valve with a large differential between the opening pressure and the closing pressure. The differential is achieved by using a snap action created by the action of the urine flow on a force that drops off rapidly with displacement. A preferred way to achieve such as force is by using permanent magnets. The valve is installed simply by insertion into the urethra and can easily be removed. No surgical procedure is involved.

A device and method for treatment of urinary stress incontinence. At least one electrode is implanted in a pelvic muscle of a patient. A control unit receives signals indicative of abdominal stress in the patient and responsive thereto applies an electrical waveform to the electrode which stimulates the muscle to contract, so as to inhibit involuntary urine flow through the patient's urethra due to the stress.

A multi-piece fluid transfer receptacle is used in a male incontinence device. The receptacle includes an outer shell having a first open end adapted for receiving the penis of a user and a second end defining a fluid discharge port. The second end extends beyond the first end a distance sufficient to cover a head of the penis, whereby urine is transferred forwardly from the penis and outwardly from the receptacle through the discharge port. A detachable fluid-management insert is received within the first open end and includes an elongated tongue spaced apart from an interior surface of the outer shell. The tongue forms a backflow barrier between the penis and the outer shell to shield the penis from urine flowing backward towards the user and away from the discharge port.

An urethral sealing device comprising first and second body portions selectively attacheable to one another to form a unitary element including a first catheter lumen extending therethrough between proximal and distal ends of the unitary element wherein, when the sealing device is in an operative position, the distal end is positioned within a urinary bladder and a sealing element extending radially outward from the unitary element so that, when the sealing device is in the operative position, the sealing element engages one of a wall of the urethra and a wall of the urinary bladder around an orifice at which the urethra opens into the urinary bladder to seal the urethra. A system for treating a urinary tract, comprising a bladder liner element which, when in an operative position, is inserted in the bladder, an outflow catheter extending from a proximal end of the bladder liner wherein, when in the operative position, the outflow catheter extends into the urethra, a first inflow catheter extending from a distal end of the bladder liner wherein, when in the operative position, the first inflow catheter extends into a first ureter and a first ureter sealing element which, when the first inflow catheter is in the operative position, prevents urine from flowing into the bladder so that urine flows from the first inflow catheter into the bladder liner and through the outflow catheter to pass out of the body.

A multi-piece fluid transfer receptacle is used in a male incontinence device. The receptacle includes an outer shell having a first open end adapted for receiving the penis of a user and a second end defining a fluid discharge port. The second end extends beyond the first end a distance sufficient to cover a head of the penis, whereby urine is transferred forwardly from the penis and outwardly from the receptacle through the discharge port. A detachable fluid-management insert is received within the first open end and includes an elongated tongue spaced apart from an interior surface of the outer shell. The tongue forms a backflow barrier between the penis and the outer shell to shield the penis from urine flowing backward towards the user and away from the discharge port.

The invention discloses a urine volume monitor. A bracket comprises a hook for hanging a drainage bag; the hook is provided with a weighing sensor which is used for transmitting information after the urine is weighed in the drainage bag to the monitor; the bracket comprises a urine detection box which can be opened or closed and can buckle a conduit in the box; a photodiode and a photoelectric detector are arranged in the urine detection box; and light emitted from the photodiode transmits through the conduit and urine flowing in the conduit in real time, then is collected by the photoelectric detector and is transmitted to the monitor. According to the urine volume monitor, the urine volume is calculated by using a urine refraction proportion analytical method, and a measuring device is not contacted with the urine when the urine is measured, so that the urine measuring accuracy is improved, the antijamming capability is strong; and besides, urine volume data of patients can be displayed or output in real time, and urine volume history information can be reviewed, the requirement of clinicians on the urine volume information dynamic monitoring is met, and the working efficiency is improved.

A system for initiating urine flow in intraurethral bladder control devices having a housing, a flow lumen, a valve biased to close, a distal end disposed near the urethral meatus, and a proximal end disposed near the bladder. The system includes an actuator device to open the valve. One intraurethral bladder control device has a higher velocity flow region near the valve distal end, such that the Bernoulli effect generates a negative pressure on the valve, keeping the valve in an open position once urine flow commences. One valve includes a spring biased stopper in the urine flow lumen. One actuator device is a suction device adapted to mate to the intraurethral device distal end and capable of pulling the stopper into the open position. Suction devices include plungers, syringes, and squeezable bulbs. Another actuator device includes a magnet capable of moving a magnetically responsive stopper. Yet another actuator device includes an elongate member disposed within the device housing and operably coupled to the stopper. Grasping and manipulating a free distal end of the elongate member causes the stopper to open and initiate urine flow.

The invention relates to a urine flow monitoring and control device and a matched pipeline thereof and belongs to medical apparatus and instruments which are used for performing urination control, urine volume monitoring and urine collection on a patient with a retention catheter. The urine flow monitoring and control device and the matched pipeline are relatively independent. The switching of the urine volume monitoring mode can be automatically achieved through a flow and velocity measurement module and a gravity sensor according to the different clinical requirements. Meanwhile the dynamic monitoring is performed on the bladder pressure, closing or opening of the pipeline is automatically controlled by a cut-off valve according to the obtained pressure of urine in the bladder under different filling conditions through calculation, the mode is similar to the urine retention and urination mode of a normal human body basically, and accordingly the patient can obtain the good maintenance and exercise during the catheter retention period and the incidence rate of adverse reactions such as the urinary dysfunction and the like caused by the catheter retention can be greatly avoided.

An intermittent urinary catheter assembly (20) comprises a catheter tube (22) having a proximal insertion end (24) and a distal end (26) remote from the proximal insertion end and a lumen (28) which extends from at or near the proximal insertion end to the distal end for draining urine from a human bladder. The intermittent urinary catheter assembly includes a urine discharge sleeve (34) associated with the discharge opening (30) of the catheter tube, and the urine discharge sleeve has a compact stowed configuration and is extendable into a deployed configuration for directing urine flow. Alternatively, an adapter assembly (50″) comprises a fitting or nipple (52″) having a urine passageway for insertion into a funnel (40″) associated with a urine discharge end of an intermittent urinary catheter, and a discharge funnel (42″) associated with the fitting or nipple, and an extendable urine discharge sleeve (34″) within the discharge funnel.

A monitoring system and method are presented for use in monitoring a condition of a patient's urinary system. The monitoring system comprises an acoustic assembly comprising at least one acoustic receiver adapted for receiving acoustic signals during a patient's urination and generating data indicative thereof. The monitoring system also includes a control unit that is in communication with said acoustic assembly. The control unit is configured and operable for analyzing said generated data indicative of the continuously received acoustic signals during a patient's urination, obtaining a time variation of the acoustic signal during the urination and determining a corresponding spectral data of the acoustic signal. The control unit further analyzes the spectral data and, upon detecting at least one first signal peak corresponding to a condition of turbulence in the urine flow, determining a relation between said first signal peak and a second signal peak corresponding to a condition of laminar urine flow. Based on said relation, the control unit determines the condition of a patient's low urinary system and generating output data indicative thereof.

A male incontinence device includes a receptacle formed of a shape-retaining material, and having a first open end adapted for receiving the penis of a user and a second end defining a urine discharge port. The discharge port is adapted for being located forward of the penis. A back flow chamber is formed with an interior of the receptacle, and is adapted for capturing urine flowing backward towards the user and away from the discharge port. A collection bag has a mouth communicating with the discharge port for collecting urine discharged through the receptacle. A support harness is adapted for being worn by the user to support the reptacle in an operative position during use.

A device for collecting urine flowing from a penis in such a manner that the urine can be transported from the device as the urine is being collected. The device includes a flexible layer of porous material; flexible wicking material disposed on one side of the layer of porous material; and a flexible layer of impermeable material secured to the periphery of the other side of the layer of porous material and so covering the other side of the layer of porous material as to define a chamber between the layer of porous material and the layer of impermeable material. Urine can be collected within the chamber for transport. The chamber has a port for receiving a tube so that urine collected within the chamber can be transported from the chamber by being drawn from the chamber when a partial vacuum is applied within the chamber via the received tube. The combination of the wicking material, the layer of porous material and the layer of impermeable material is so dimensioned and configured as to provide a receptacle for receiving the head of a penis.

A collection bag is adapted for communicating with a male incontinence device designed to cover a portion of the penis. The collection bag includes first and second opposing flexible side walls joined together and forming a fluid container for holding urine. A cylindrical neck is formed with the first and second side walls, and defines a mouth for receiving urine passed through the incontinence device and into the fluid container. The neck includes an internal check valve for controlling urine flow and multiple circumferentially-spaced external indexing pins. The indexing pins secure the fluid container to the incontinence device while locating the check valve in a single operative orientation.