US3744063A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Artifical sphincter for controlling urinary incontinence
Assignee: American Medical Systems LLC
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Filing: 1971-10-12
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Granted: 1973-07-10
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Expires: 1991-10-12
Abstract
Abstract An artificial sphincter for the control of urinary incontinence is provided by wrapping around the urethral canal an inflatable plastic collar connected to a system of small pumps and valves governing the flow of fluid into and out of a fluid reservoir. The valves and pumps are so arranged that inflation and deflation of the collar is carried out in incremental steps, so that the applied pressure or release of pressure is graduated and controlled.
Inventors
- 👤 D Mcwhorter
- 👤 G Taylor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 00:12
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/0004; A61F2/0031; A61F2/0036; A61F2/004; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S128/00; Y10S128/25
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
51 words
An artificial sphincter for controlling urinary incontinence which comprises an inflatable urethral collar connected by a flexible tube to an inflation-deflation mechanism which comprises pump and valve means for incrementally increasing fluid pressure in said urethral collar, and separate pump and valve means for incrementally decreasing fluid pressure in said collar.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
51 words
An artificial sphincter for controlling urinary incontinence which comprises an inflatable urethral collar connected by a flexible tube to an inflation-deflation mechanism which comprises pump and valve means for incrementally increasing fluid pressure in said urethral collar, and separate pump and valve means for incrementally decreasing fluid pressure in said collar.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The sphincter according to claim 1 in which the urethral collar is a substantially rectangular hollow inflatable plastic pouch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The sphincter according to claim 1 in which the urethral collar is an extended length of collapsible plastic tubing sealed at one end and capable of being wrapped around the urethral canal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The sphincter according to claim 1, said sphincter being made from a material which is non-toxic and non-irritating to the human body so as to be wholly implantable in fixed position within the human body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The sphincter according to claim 1 wherein the inflatable urethral collar has attached thereto an elongated conformable generally rectangular strip of material which in length is greater than the circumference of the average urethral passage.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The sphincter according to claim 1 in which the pump and valve means for the inflation of the urethral collar and the separate pump and valve means for deflation of said collar are both connected to a single fluid reservoir.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
99 words
An artificial sphincter in accordance with claim 1 wherein said inflation-deflation mechanism includes a fluid reservoir and wherein said pump and valve means for increasing fluid pressure in said collar, said reservoir, and said separate pump and valve means are interconnected in series in the order recited with the outlet side of said pump and valve means for increasing pressure in the collar connected to the inlet side of said separate Pump and valve means, said flexible tube interconnecting said collar with said inflation-deflation mechanism between said outlet side and said inlet side of the pump and valve means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
62 words
An artificial sphincter in accordance with claim 7 wherein each of said pump and valve means comprises, in series, a first one-way valve, a pump, and a second one-way valve, said one-way valves permitting the flow of fluid from the reservoir to and from said collar through said tube when the pumps of the respective said pump and valve means are actuated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
95 words
An artificial sphincter in accordance with claim 8 wherein the first and second valves of the separate pump and valve means are pressure-actuatable, one-way valves which are actuatable to an open position at a pressure greater the pressure of the inflated collar when the sphincter is in use to control urinary incontinency, whereby excess pressure created by pumping of the pump of said pump and valve means for increasing fluid pressure may be relieved by opening of said first and second valves at the excess pressure and the return of fluid therethrough to the reservoir.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-09 | 1977-01-08 | 1977-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-09 | 1981-01-08 | 1981-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-09 | 1985-01-08 | 1985-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |