The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 23, 1999
Filed:
Apr. 10, 1998
William J Norton, Lawrenceville, GA (US);
C.R. Bard, Inc., Murray Hill, NJ (US);
Abstract
A removable external closure device is disclosed for managing female urinary incontinence. The device includes a resilient, deformable, hollow body portion and a flange which seals against the tissue surrounding the urethral orifice. When the body portion is squeezed and the flange positioned against the tissue surrounding the urethral orifice, the resilience of the body portion creates a vacuum which holds the device in place and closes the urethral orifice. The device is configured to promote tearing of the flange after a predetermined period of normal use so as to insure that the patient will change the device regularly and thus minimize the possibility of creating an infection or tissue irritation that could result from use of a contaminated or dirty device. In one aspect of the invention tearing is promoted by at least the flange being formed of a composition which exhibits a low tear strength. In another aspect of the invention tearing is promoted by an interruption, such as a short radial slit, in the periphery of the flange.