Auxiliary intra-urethral magnetic valve for persons suffering from urinary incontinence

Claim 1

An auxiliary urethral valve for insertion into the urethra of a person unable to control his or her bladder function, having a proximal end and a distal end, the valve including a spring-supported, ferromagnetic valve member adapted to be opened by a magnetic field created by a magnet positioned outside the body of the wearer, said valve comprising: a tubular casing of a diameter coextensive with the dimension of the urethral duct and made of a nonmagnetic and innocuous material, said tube being lengthwise perforated by a throughgoing passage provided with an inwardly protruding valve seat, a valve member of a ferromagnetic, innocuous material comprising a valve surface corresponding to said valve seat of said tubular casing, a solid valve body extending from said valve surface and tapering towards its distal end and a spring-engaging portion extending from said valve body in proximal direction, a tension spring having its distal end fastened to said spring-engaging portion of said valve member and its proximal end fastened to said casing, so dimensioned as to urge said valve member onto said valve seat at normal pressure in the bladder and to permit said valve member to be lifted of said seat by overpressure; means for opening said valve at normal bladder pressure being effected by tilting of said valve member by a magnetic field, whereby a first portion of said valve surface is lifted off said valve seat and a second portion remains in contact with said valve seat opening a passage for urine from the bladder into the open.