B. Braun Medical Inc.

Burron Medical, Inc.

Conticare Medical, Inc.

Contimed, Inc.

William P Ryan

Mark A Rydell

Claude Tihon

Steven D Savage

Edward A Barlow

A sling for supporting the urethra and neck of the bladder to prevent urinary incontinence is disclosed. The sling is designed to provide sufficient support to inhibit the unintended flow of urine, yet stretch in a controlled fashion so that the bladder can be voided at approximate times.

Bladder sling

A balloon consisting of braided fibers encapsulated between two plastic elastomeric materials affixes to a distal end of a catheter. The braided fibers provide reinforcement to contain pressure and determine the maximum diameter of the balloon on expansion. The elastomeric material provides for fluid containment and collapsing of the balloon after pressurization. An embedded spring in an elastomeric material internal to the catheter provides memory to assist in collapsing the balloon after pressurization. The embedded spring extends from the distal end of the catheter towards the proximal end of the catheter along a substantial length of the catheter. The catheter with the balloon are in a multilumen configuration or in a coaxial configuration. A guidewire passage extends through the elastomeric material with the embedded spring. An alternative embodiment illustrates a hub with a movable internal seal and inner tube connected to a balloon catheter tip with a free space collapsement spring. The movable inner seal also assists in spring collapsement and in shortening of the balloon structure for maximum allowable radial inflation. A distal portion of a balloon catheter includes a compressible spring which is free floating within a tubular interior area and having no embedding material about it. A hub is also included for use with a catheter having an extended length balloon. A telescoping tube assembly contains a flared member for front loading of a guide wire.

Balloon catheter

A Y-connector with a compression gasket for compressing about a guidewire or catheter when inserted into an inner chamber of a Y-connector and compressed by a rim of a large knurled knob. When the large knurled knob is twisted with an inward force, the rim engages the gasket with inward compression, causing the center portion of the gasket to expand inwardly, thereby frictionally engaging against a guidewire or catheter. The inner expansion of the gasket is substantially equal about the inner circumference of the gasket, thereby providing a seal between the guidewire catheter and bodily fluids, such as blood. A guidewire clamp is included at the end of a side arm extending from the Y-connector body.

Rotating Y-connector

A Y-connector With a compression gasket for compressing about a guidewire or catheter when inserted into an inner chamber of a Y-connector and compressed by a rim of a large knurled knob. When the large knurled knob is twisted with an inward force, the rim engages the gasket with inward compression, causing the center portion of the gasket to expand inwardly, thereby frictionally engaging against a guidewire or catheter. The inner expansion of the gasket is substantially equal about the inner circumference of the gasket, thereby providing a seal between the guidewire catheter and bodily fluids, such as blood. A guidewire clamp is included at the end of a side arm extending from the Y-connector body.

Growing community of inventors

Minnetonka, MN, United States of America

William P Ryan