Patent US2797712A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3854469A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Epiurethral valve
Assignee: Electro Sciences for Medicine Inc
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Filing: 1972-10-31
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Granted: 1974-12-17
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Expires: 1992-10-31
Abstract
Abstract A device for controlling fluid flow through a human body tube, in particular the flow of urine through the urethra, comprising inflatable means in the form of a flexible chamber containing fluid and held against the outer surface of the urethra of a patient for normally applying pressure against the urethra to close the same, storage means in the form of a second flexible chamber, and valve means connecting the chambers together. In response to manipulation of the first chamber by the patient, the valve is opened allowing fluid to flow into the second chamber thereby releasing the pressure applied by the first chamber and permitting urine to flow through the patient''s urethra. The valve allows a return flow of fluid to the first chamber whereby pressure is reapplied to the urethra to close the same a predetermined time thereafter, and this can be accelerated by manipulation of the second chamber by the patient.
Inventors
- 👤 F Giori
- 👤 A Topolski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 17:56
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: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
448 words
A device for controlling the flow of fluid through a physiological vessel such as the flow of urine through the urethra comprising: a. first inflatable means defining a chamber initially containing fluid and adapted to be positioned in operative relation to the outer surface of the vessel; b. second inflatable means defining a chamber for containing fluid, said second inflatable means being of a size sufficient to store fluid initially contained in said first inflatable means; c. pressure responsive valve means joining said first and second inflatable means, said valve means including a single, common passage means for placing said chambers of said first and second inflatable means in direct fluid communication, said passage means being opened when a fluid pressure difference exists between said first and second inflatable means to allow fluid normally to flow at a relatively low rate between said chambers until a pressure equilibrium therebetween exists at which time said passage closes, the time during which said passage is opened being a function of the length and crosssectional dimension of said passage, and said valve means allowing said passage means to open in a manner allowing fluid to flow at a relatively high rate in response to sufficiently high pressure applied thereto; and d. said first and second inflatable means being of predetermined and relative size such that initially a pressure equilibrium condition exists therebetween and said first inflatable means contains a sufficient amount of fluid to apply sufficient pressure against the vessel to prevent flow of fluid therethrough and said second inflatable means while storing fluid initially contained in said first inflatable means applies fluid pressure against said valve means to open said passage means for a return fluid flow at said relatively low rate; e. whereby in response to manual pressure applied by the patient through his skin to said first inflatable means fluid is caused to flow at said relatively high rate from said first inflatable means through said passage means of said valve means and into said second inflatable means thereby deflating said first inflatable means to relieve the pressure against the vessel and allow it to permit fluid to flow therethrough and upon release of the pressure applied to said first inflatable means said second inflatable means applies fluid pressure against said valve means thereby allowing fluid to return from said inflatable means through said passage means to said first inflatable means at said relatively low rate whereupon after a predetermined time a pressure equilibrium again exists between said first and second inflatable means and said first inflatable means again contains a sufficient amount of fluid to apply sufficient pressure against the vessel to prevent flow of fluid therethrough.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
448 words
A device for controlling the flow of fluid through a physiological vessel such as the flow of urine through the urethra comprising: a. first inflatable means defining a chamber initially containing fluid and adapted to be positioned in operative relation to the outer surface of the vessel; b. second inflatable means defining a chamber for containing fluid, said second inflatable means being of a size sufficient to store fluid initially contained in said first inflatable means; c. pressure responsive valve means joining said first and second inflatable means, said valve means including a single, common passage means for placing said chambers of said first and second inflatable means in direct fluid communication, said passage means being opened when a fluid pressure difference exists between said first and second inflatable means to allow fluid normally to flow at a relatively low rate between said chambers until a pressure equilibrium therebetween exists at which time said passage closes, the time during which said passage is opened being a function of the length and crosssectional dimension of said passage, and said valve means allowing said passage means to open in a manner allowing fluid to flow at a relatively high rate in response to sufficiently high pressure applied thereto; and d. said first and second inflatable means being of predetermined and relative size such that initially a pressure equilibrium condition exists therebetween and said first inflatable means contains a sufficient amount of fluid to apply sufficient pressure against the vessel to prevent flow of fluid therethrough and said second inflatable means while storing fluid initially contained in said first inflatable means applies fluid pressure against said valve means to open said passage means for a return fluid flow at said relatively low rate; e. whereby in response to manual pressure applied by the patient through his skin to said first inflatable means fluid is caused to flow at said relatively high rate from said first inflatable means through said passage means of said valve means and into said second inflatable means thereby deflating said first inflatable means to relieve the pressure against the vessel and allow it to permit fluid to flow therethrough and upon release of the pressure applied to said first inflatable means said second inflatable means applies fluid pressure against said valve means thereby allowing fluid to return from said inflatable means through said passage means to said first inflatable means at said relatively low rate whereupon after a predetermined time a pressure equilibrium again exists between said first and second inflatable means and said first inflatable means again contains a sufficient amount of fluid to apply sufficient pressure against the vessel to prevent flow of fluid therethrough.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said inflatable means comprises flexible chamber means shaped to contact a portion of the outer surface of the vessel and wherein said device further comprises means for holding said chamber means adjacent the outer surface of the vessel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
101 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said valve means comprises a body of resilient, substantially fluid impervious material provided with a passage therethrough, said passage having a cross-sectional area which is relatively small and normally allows a relatively small fluid flow therethrough until a pressure equilibrium condition exists between said first and second inflatable means at which time said valve means is effectively closed, said body being expandable in a direction enlarging the cross sectional area of said passage to open said valve in response to manipulation of said inflatable means to allow a relatively large flow through said passage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said second inflatable means comprises flexible chamber means whereby in response to manipulation of said chamber means by the patient said valve means is opened to return fluid relatively quickly to said first inflatable means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A device according to claim 1, further comprising means defining a relatively thick member on a portion of said second inflatable means to facilitate addition of fluid to said second means surgically by means of an hypodermic syringe.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said first and second inflatable means comprise axially spaced portions of a length of flexible thin-walled tubing sealed at each end thereof and said valve means comprises a region of substantially fluid impervious, resilient material filling said tubing between said axially spaced portions and having a passage extending therealong to connect said first and second inflatable means together.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said valve means comprises a body of resilient, substantially fluid impervious material connected to said first and second inflatable means, said body having a relatively small slit extending therealong to connect said first and second inflatable means in fluid communication.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device according to claim 7, wherein said body is of a silicone elastomer material.
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) | 1977-12-16 | 1978-06-17 | 1978-12-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-16 | 1982-06-17 | 1982-12-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-16 | 1986-06-17 | 1986-12-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |