Female incontinence device

Claim 1

A female incontinence device capable of being removably inserted into the vagina for supporting the tissue of the vaginal wall to each side of the urethra, comprising: an annular inflatable body section for insertion into the vagina, the body section having an exterior surface capable of contacting the walls of the vagina when inflated so that relative movement of said body section with respect to the vagina is restricted, said body section including two projections, there being a U-shaped surface between the projections, the projections supporting the superior vaginal tissue on each side of the urethra in such a manner that the tissue therebetween is stretched and can offer counter pressure when intra-abdominal pressure is suddenly raised as occurs during coughing, sneezing, laughing and physical exercise such that the intra-abdominal pressure is transmitted to the upper urethra so that the greatest difference between intra-urethral and simultaneous bladder pressure remains positive regardless of the changes in the intra-abdominal pressure so continence is preserved; and means for inflating and deflating the body section so that proper support of the superior wall of the vagina is accomplished.

Claim 8

A method for controlling urinary incontinence in females comprising: providing an inflatable device having an annular inflatable body section capable of being removably inserted into the vagina, said body section having two projections extending therefrom for supporting the vaginal tissue on each side of the urethra so that the tissue therebetween is stretched and can offer counter pressure when intra-abdominal pressure is suddenly increased as it is during coughing, sneezing, laughing and physical exercise such that the intra-abdominal pressure is transmitted to the upper urethra so that the greatest difference between intra-urethral and simultaneous bladder pressure remains positive regardless of the changes in the intra-abdominal pressure so continence is preserved; inserting said device into the vagina until it reaches the posterior fornix and said projections are positioned on each side of the urethra and said device is resting on the pubic arch and the levator muscles; and inflating said body section until sudden increases in intra-abdominal pressure no longer cause leakage of urine from the urethral opening.

Claim 9

A method for controlling urinary incontinence in females comprising: providing an inflatable device having an annular inflatable body section capable of being removably inserted into the vagina, said body section having two projections extending therefrom for supporting the vaginal tissue on each side of the urethra so that the tissue therebetween is stretched and can offer counter pressure when intra-abdominal pressure is suddenly increased as it is during coughing, sneezing, laughing and physical exercise such that the intra-abdominal pressure is transmitted to the upper urethra so that the greatest difference between intra-urethral and simultaneous bladder pressure remains positive regardless of the changes in the intra-abdominal pressure so continence is preserved; inserting said device into the vagina until it reaches the posterior fornix and said projections are positioned on each side of the urethra and said device is resting on the pubic arch and the levator muscles; and inflating said body section until sudden increases in intra-abdominal pressure no longer cause leakage of urine from the urethral opening.