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:
Dec. 11, 2001
Filed:
Mar. 20, 2000
Mickey M. Karram, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Bryan D. Knodel, Flagstaff, AZ (US);
Other;
Abstract
A surgeon-implantable, fluid-filled, flexible device for automatically controlling stress incontinence in female patients employs a flexible diaphragm element positioned in the patient's abdominal space to compress in response to increases in intraabdominal pressure. Upon such compression of the diaphragm, pressurized fluid flows therefrom via a flexible tubing, optionally via a flow control element, to an inflatable urethra-constricting element in fluid communication therewith and positioned over the patient's urethra close to her bladder neck. Thus, when the patient experiences an increase in intraabdominal pressure, e.g., when she coughs, fluid from the diaphragm flows rapidly to the urethra-constricting element which presses against and forcibly constricts the urethra adjacent thereto. Upon abatement of the intraabdominal pressure, the flow control element releases fluid from the urethra-constricting element which then ceases to press on the urethra.