Abstract: A device for anchoring catheter tubing to the skin of a patient which includes a resiliently flexible pad attachable to the patient's skin. The pad has a predetermined dimensioned arcuate passageway disposed therein for snugly receiving and redirecting the tube. The passageway is externally accessible along its length by manually spreading the pad along a slit.

Abstract: An inflatable penile implant includes a novel pressure accumulating chamber which has a wall which stretches to expand the volume of the chamber when the normal working pressure of the implant has been exceeded. The expansion in the volume of the chamber absorbs and compensates for any increased pressure and thereby protects the components of the hydraulic system from pressure damage.

Abstract: An ureteral stent comprises an elongated, flexible tubular member which has proximal and distal ends in the form of hooks. Both of the ends of the member are open but the opening at the proximal end is smaller than the lumen or the opening at the distal end. Methods of inserting the stent, maneuvering the stent past difficult obstructions in the ureter, replacing an indwelling stent are described, as well as kits for performing those methods.

Abstract: A penile erectile system for treating male impotency comprises a sleeve of biocompatible material having at least one pressurizable chamber which is adapted to be implanted about the penile shaft of a patient beneath the penile skin between the skin and the shaft and a body member integrally attached to said sleeve. The body member comprising a fluid reservoir for pressurizing fluid, and a pump for transferring the fluid under pressure from the reservoir to the chamber.

Abstract: An improved fluid flow meter for measuring a liquid flow rate is disclosed. It comprises a container having an interior cavity, an inlet opening, a vent opening, a first passageway and a second passageway. The first passageway has an upper opening which is sealed by a pressure transducer and has a lower opening which opens into the interior cavity below the inlet and vent openings. A pressure signal produced in the first passageway by liquid in the cavity is converted into a flow rate by a processor which is connected to the pressure transducer. The second passageway has a lower opening in communication with the interior cavity above the lower opening of the first passageway and an upper opening below the upper opening of the first passageway which is connected to a downwardly depending drain tube to drain the level of liquid in the cavity down by siphon action.

Abstract: A latch for securing the ends of a belt together so as to encircle an inflatable cuff of an artificial sphincter. The latch includes two rotatable components with cavities which receive the belt ends when the components are suitably rotated and capture the belt ends within the latch when the belt is in tension.

Abstract: A self-contained penile implant includes a pressure chamber, a fluid reservoir, a pump for transferring fluid from the reservoir to the pressure chamber and a release valve which can be manually deformed to release the pressure in the pressure chamber and permit fluid to flow from the pressure chamber to the reservoir.

Abstract: A urine flow meter including a toilet mounted collector is disclosed. The collector has a mouth portion which is dimensioned to fit within a toilet bowl and which has walls which slope downwardly and inwardly to a neck portion. The neck portion extends downwardly from the lower end of the mouth portion to receive urine directed into it from the mouth portion. An aperture is formed in the neck portion and a pressure sender has a lower end in communication with the neck portion. An upper end of the pressure sender is above the neck portion and is connected to a pressure transducer. Urine accumulates in the neck portion until the flow rate into the collector equals the flow rate out through the aperture. The accumulated volume of urine in the neck portion produces an air pressure within the pressure sender which is converted into an electrical signal by the pressure transducer. The pressure transducer output signal is suitable to be processed to provide critical urine flow data.

Abstract: A penile erectile system which is adapted to be surgically implanted in man for the treatment of erectile impotence includes at least one penile implant comprising an elongated, flexible cylindrical body (11, 11') adapted to be implanted in the corpus cavernosum of a penis, said body having a tip (14) at one end and an anchoring stem (12) at the other end and an intermediate section (13) including a pair of inner (17) and outer (18) chambers substantially filled with fluid (20) and connected by a passage (21). The body (11, 11') also includes internal pump means (19) adjacent the stem for transferring fluid into the inner chamber (17) and a control valve (29) adjacent the tip (14) for controlling pressure in the inner chamber (17). The inner chamber (17) is non-distensible so that when it is filled and pressurized by transferring fluid thereto it becomes rigid and supports the penis in an erectile state.

Abstract: A capacitance device for a medical implant having a hydraulic system including a pressure chamber in which hydraulic pressure must be maintained at a working level comprises an impermeable, elastic bladder which is positioned in the pressure chamber. The bladder is filled with gas so that when fluid is lost from the pressure chamber through leaks within the hydraulic system the bladder will expand to compensate for the fluid loss and prevent severe pressure drops.

Abstract: A method of controlling urinary incontinence in a male comprises implanting in the penis of the male a relatively rigid backup support against which the urethra can be collapsed, anchoring said backup support to prevent it from migrating, and exerting pressure upon only one side of the urethra to collapse and keep it closed against the backup support. The preferred backup support includes a groove which receives the neurovascular bundle and protects the major blood and nerve supplies of the penis from the adverse effects of pressure exerted on the urethra. Devices for practicing the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: The inflatable cuff of an artificial sphincter is secured in place about a natural body passage by fastening means which consist of a reinforcing belt for encircling the cuff and a clip to hold the belt in place. The belt has a reinforcing intermediate section of substantially uniform thickness throughout and a pair of ends, each of which have enlarged beads at their tips. At least one of the ends of the belt has a pair of spaced apart fingers which are especially useful for extending through the mesentery without interfering with the blood supply of said passage and the clip has bead receiving and retaining cavities for securing the belt in place.

Abstract: A skin mounted retention disc for maintaining a catheter indwelling comprises an elastomeric disc having a centrally disposed bore therethrough dimensioned to receive the catheter. About the periphery of the elastomeric disc is a plurality of very small holes to enable the disc to be sutered to the skin. Integrated to and extending upwardly from the elastomeric disc is a projection having a helically disposed channel therein for engaging the catheter as the catheter tube is wrapped about the disc after exiting the skin. A connecting tube having low release force connectors at either end is secured to the disc and links the catheter to a drainage bag. Because the force required to break the connection between the connecting tube and either the drainage bag or the catheter is less than the force required to dislodge the skin mounted retention disc, the connecting tube serves as a safety release to prevent the disc from becoming dislodged should the patient stray from the drainage bag.

Abstract: A penile prosthesis which is adapted to be surgically implanted in man for the treatment of erectile impotence includes two separate penile implants each comprising an elongated, flexible rod having a short proximal portion of relatively stiff material which is adapted to be implanted into the root end of the corpus cavernosum to support the implant and a longer distal portion which is adapted to be implanted into the corpus cavernosum of the pendulous penis. A flexible, cylindrical sleeve is positioned axially about an intermediate section of the distal portion of the rod and is sealed at its ends to the rod in a fluid tight manner to form a chamber for pressurizing fluid. The implant also includes sealable means by which pressurizing fluid can be added to the chamber to increase the girth of the implant.

Abstract: A penile erectile system for treating male impotency comprises a sleeve of biocompatible material having at least one pressurizable chamber which is adapted to be implanted about the penile shaft of a patient beneath the penile skin between the skin and the shaft, a fluid reservoir of pressurizing fluid, and a pump for transferring the fluid under pressure from the reservoir to the chamber. The system also includes tubing connecting the reservoir and pump to the pressurizable chamber and a valve for controlling the flow of fluid into and out of the pressurizable chamber. In a preferred embodiment, a pressure bulb serves both as the fluid reservoir and the pump.

Abstract: An elastomeric back-up pad having a smooth laser-resistant coating thereon is provided for insertion between tissue layers incised during surgical procedures in which a laser is used to incise the tissue. The laser-resistant coating on the pad comprises a mixture of powdered metal which tends to reflect the laser beam and an elastomer which bonds the coating to the pad and imparts a smooth exterior surface to the coating thereby reducing the risk of tissue trauma as the pad is inserted between the tissue layers.

Abstract: A catheter such as an endotracheal tube is rendered resistant to laser beam impaction by coating the cuff and/or the tube with a laser-reflective compound which is preferably comprised of one to three parts of powdered aluminum to one part silicone rubber solution. The laser-reflective compound may be permanently bonded to the cuff and/or the tube by first dipping the cuff and/or the tube in a bath of the compound to form a smooth outer coating on the cuff and/or the tube and then baking the cuff and/or the tube to cure the coating. The laser-reflective coating serves to reflect the laser beam, thus making the catheter laser resistant while the smoothness of the coating aids in catheter insertion.

Abstract: In an improved rod-type penile implant having a relatively stiff proximal portion for positioning inside the corpus cavernosum adjacent the pubis for supporting the implant, a longer relatively stiff distal portion for positioning in the corpus cavernosum of the pendulous penis and a hinge separating the distal and proximal portions, the improvement which comprises a distal portion including a reinforced inner core having a main body of relatively stiff material which is united to an outer tubular sleeve of fabric having a relatively high tensile strength so that the main body and fabric sleeve act together to increase the stiffness of the inner core.

Abstract: A simple, reliable pressure control valve for a medical device having a hydraulic system comprises a valve housing having an open top and a bottom and an inwardly directed shoulder partially closing the top; a poppet with an upwardly extending stem mounted in the housing between the top and the bottom; a sealing edge mounted on the poppet circumferentially about the stem, and a calibrated spring urging the poppet towards the open top of the housing so that the sealing edge is in sealing contact with the underside of said shoulder and the stem extends above the top of said housing so that manual pressure can be exerted upon the stem to open the valve or the valve can be opened by a hydraulic pressure which exerts sufficient force upon the top of the poppet to overcome the force of the spring.

Abstract: An improved pressure control valve for a medical device having a hydraulic system comprises a valve housing having an open top and a bottom and an inwardly directed shoulder partially closing the top. A poppet with an upwardly extending stem is mounted in the housing between the top and the bottom. The poppet has a sealing edge mounted on its top about the stem, and there is a calibrated spring urging the poppet towards the open top of the housing so that the sealing edge is in sealing contact with the underside of the shoulder thus closing the valve. The poppet has an internal passage extending therethrough from an inlet in the bottom of the base of the poppet to an outlet in the side of the stem. The outlet in the stem is normally closed by an elastic band which is circumferentially positioned about the stem.