Abstract: A novel urethral plug having adhesive thereon, wherein the adhesive seals the plug against the tissues surrounding the meatus and/or urethra, thereby arresting movement of the plug while it functions in the urethra to block the flow of urine. The urethral plug comprises a hollow or solid body which is of a sufficient length and diameter to occlude the urethra. In one embodiment, adhesive is disposed on the meatal plate of the plug so as to secure the plug against the tissues surrounding the urethral meatus. In a second embodiment, adhesive is disposed on the body of the plug so as to seal the plug against the urethral wall. In a third embodiment, the adhesive is disposed on a portion of the meatal plate so as to seal the plug against the tissues surrounding the urethral meatus. The adhesive seals the urethral plug in place until the user wishes to void, at which time, the seal may be broken by exerting a pulling force on the plug.

Abstract: A novel urethral plug assembly having adhesive thereon, wherein the adhesive seals the plug assembly against an internal wall thereby arresting movement of the plug assembly while it functions in the urethra to block the flow of urine therefrom. The plug assembly may comprise a solid body which is of a sufficient diameter to occlude the urethra. Alternatively, the plug assembly may comprise a body which has the ability to change its shape from a compressed to an elongated condition so as to conform to the urethral wall and occlude the opening to the urethra. In one embodiment of the invention, the adhesive lies on the meatal plate of the plug assembly so as to secure the plug assembly against the meatus urinarius. In a second embodiment of the invention, the adhesive is on the body of the plug assembly so as to seal the plug assembly against the urethra, bladder neck or bladder wall.

Abstract: A novel urethral plug comprising a cooperating shaft and balloon, lying in coaxial engagement. The balloon possesses a contracted shape for insertion and removal through the opening of the urethra, and a larger, expanded shape for blocking the flow of urine in the urethra, bladder neck and bladder. After insertion, such an expanded shape is achieved by inflation of the balloon through the use of an external source such as a syringe which introduces fluid through an opening and into the shaft. The fluid acts upon a ball valve, thus pushing the ball past a valve seat, thereby permitting fluid to travel through the shaft and into the balloon. Fluid transmission continues until the balloon is expanded to such an extent as to block the flow of urine. The balloon retains the fluid therein, and the force of the fluid on the ball valve causes the ball to rest firmly against the valve seat. The balloon, when expanded thus functions to seal the plug to the urethra, bladder neck and bladder.

Abstract: There is presented a urethral measuring device for determining the length of a human urethra, the measuring device comprising a member having an expandable portion at a first end and adapted to receive fluid from an external source at a second end. The member includes graduations arranged such that the graduations are located a pre-specified distance from the expandable portion. In certain embodiments, the graduations also are located at least "x" distance from the meatus of the urethra when the device is inserted and in an operative position. The measuring device further includes a collar slidably disposed and movable on the member and is used as a pointer against the graduations to measure the length of the urethra. There is further presented a method for determining the length of a urethra, utilizing the aforesaid device.

Abstract: A device for the control of urinary incontinence comprising a urethral plug self-movable between a first condition in which the plug is relatively rigid and generally tubular, with a smaller diameter for travel through the orifice of the urethra, and a second condition in which the plug is flexible and expansible to a larger diameter for retaining the plug in a mammalian body and blocking the flow of urine. A larger diameter is achieved by exposure of a tube-like member of the plug to natural bodily conditions, resulting in an automatic expansion of the tube, whereupon the expansion causes the tube-like member to form a seal with the urethra, bladder neck or bladder wall. The plug further has a meatal plate for anchoring the plug in the urethra and preventing migration into the bladder.

Abstract: A novel urethral plug assembly having adhesive thereon, wherein the adhesive seals the plug assembly against an internal wall thereby arresting movement of the plug assembly while it functions in the urethra to block the flow of urine therefrom. The plug assembly may comprise a solid body which is of a sufficient diameter to occlude the urethra. Alternatively, the plug assembly may comprise a body which has the ability to change its shape from a compressed to an elongated condition so as to conform to the urethral wall and occlude the opening to the urethra. In one embodiment of the invention, the adhesive lies on the meatal plate of the plug assembly so as to secure the plug assembly against the meatus urinarius. In a second embodiment of the invention, the adhesive is on the body of the plug assembly so as to seal the plug assembly against the urethra, bladder neck or bladder wall.

Abstract: A system for accurately positioning and locating a workpiece in a machine tool, including a master sleeve to be fitted into the standard tapered socket of a machine tool spindle. An interchangeable center housing is fitted into a tapered socket in said master sleeve, and a center pin is spring-mounted within said housing. The center pin projects out of said housing, and is retractable into the housing as required when the workpiece is positioned on the machine tool. The housing can be quickly removed from the master sleeve and replaced with a housing having a center pin of a different diameter, in order to accommodate a workpiece having a center hole of different diameter than that of the previous workpiece. A locking screw is provided in the housing to permit locking of the center pin in place after the workpiece has been mounted thereon. A facing disc can be positioned on the projecting end of the center pin in order to accommodate workpieces of diameter smaller than that of the center pin itself.