Abstract: An implantable apparatus for controlling the flow of body fluids through a body passage includes a cuff which can be inflated with pressurizing fluids to close the body passage, a push button actuated and expandible reservoir for the pressurizing fluid and tubing connecting the cuff and the reservoir to form a closed system. The reservoir includes a pumping chamber having a tension spring positioned therein and a push rod located outside the pumping chamber. The push rod is attached to a push button which when actuated expands the volume of the reservoir to receive pressurizing fluids from the cuff thereby allowing the cuff to deflate and the body passage to open.

Abstract: An artificial sphincter comprises a closed hydraulic system which includes an inflatable occlusion means which is normally inflated with hydraulic fluid under pressure to cut off flow through a body passage. An accumulator balloon having a relatively inelastic shell serves as a reservoir for hydraulic fluid for the inflatable occlusion means and includes a gas filled bladder within the inelastic shell to maintain a constant pressure in the system. The system also contains a pump to suck fluid from the occlusion means to deflate it and open the body passage to fluid flow and tubing connecting the inflatable occlusion means, the accumulator balloon and the pump to complete a closed system. The sphincter also includes a pressure intensifier which temporarily increases the pressure in the occlusion means to compensate for an anticipated increase in fluid pressure in the body passage.

Abstract: A penile implant includes a relatively rigid support portion having a stem at one end to be inserted into the root end of a corpus cavernosum of a penis a relatively rigid elongated tip portion with a tip at one end adapted to be implanted in the glans end of the corpus cavernosum, hinge means joining the support portion and tip portion and holding means at the other ends of the support position and tip portion which cooperate to hold the support portion and tip portion of the implant in the form of unitary rigid rod. In a preferred embodiment the holding means at the other ends of the support portion and tip portion are magnets of opposite polarity and the hinge means is a cylindrical sleeve.

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 adapted to be implanted in the corpus cavernosum of a penis, said body having a tip at one end and an anchoring stem at the other end and an intermediate section including a pair of inner and outer chambers substantially filled with fluid and connected by a passage. The body also includes internal pump means for transferring fluid into the inner chamber and a control valve for controlling pressure in the inner chamber. The inner chamber 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 penile implant for assisting in retaining a urinary collection device on a penis includes an implant of biocompatible material having a ring with a generally D-shaped cross section with the belly of the D extending outwardly and an anchoring sleeve connected to the ring, said ring and sleeve are shaped and sized to be positioned circumferentially about a penis and implanted beneath the penile skin to provide a circumferential outwardly extending protuberance which assists in retaining an elastic urinary collection sheath upon the penis.

Abstract: An artificial sphincter comprises an inflatable occlusion means which is normally inflated with hydraulic fluid under pressure to cut off flow through a body passage, an improved accumulator balloon having a relatively inelastic shell which serves as a reservoir for hydraulic fluid for the inflatable occlusion means and a gas filled bladder which controls fluid pressure in the closed system, a pump to suck fluid from the occlusion means to deflate it and open the body passage to fluid flow and tubing connecting the inflatable occlusion means, the accumulator balloon and the pump to form a closed system. The sphincter also includes a first check valve at the inflatable occlusion means which allows fluid to freely flow out of the inflatable occlusion means, a second check valve at the accumulator balloon which allows fluid to freely flow into the accumulator balloon and resistance means which restricts fluid flow into the inflatable occlusion means and out of the accumulator balloon to a low rate of flow.

Abstract: The penile implant of the present invention comprises a ring of soft biocompatible material which is adapted to be implanted beneath the skin of the penis of an incontinent male. The ring when implanted produces a protuberance which effectively increases the diameter of the penis so as to retain the flexible elastic sheath of a urinary collection device in place. A relatively stiff rod also may be implanted in the penis beneath the ring to support the ring. The protuberance produced by the implanted ring permits the patient to securely attach and easily remove the flexible sheath of the urinary collection device without the assistance of others.

Abstract: A penile erectile system which is adapted to be surgically implanted in man for the treatment of erectile impotence includes an elongated penile implant adapted to be implanted in the corpus cavernosum of a penis, said member including a stem at one end, a tip at the other end, and first and second internal chambers separated by a dividing wall, said chambers being axially positioned between the stem and tip, the first chamber having a resilient collapsible side wall and the second chamber having a flexible non-distensible side wall. Both of the chambers are normally substantially filled with fluid and are connected by an open passage which extends through the dividing wall which permits fluid to flow between the first and the second chambers. The second non-distensible chamber is pressurized by moving the dividing wall towards the stem and maintaining it in that position thus collapsing the first chamber and forcing pressurizing fluid from the first into the second chamber.

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: A penile prosthesis includes at least one and preferably a pair of penile implants. The penile implant is a flexible, elongated member having a short proximal stem which is hollow and includes a fluid filled reservoir. The stem is adapted to be implanted into the root end of the corpus cavernosum to support the implant. The flexible member also includes an elongated flexible, non-distensible distal portion having a chamber substantially filled with a non-compressible fluid and a conical tip and an intermediate fluid filled pressure bulb pump which includes a valve mechanism. The valve mechanism allows fluid to be pumped from the reservoir in the stem into the non-distensible chamber to pressurize it and make it rigid. The implant includes a pressure relief valve which allows fluid to be transferred back to the reservoir.

Abstract: A penile erectile system which is adapted to be surgically implanted in man for the treatment of erectile impotence includes a penile implant comprising an elongated, flexible cylindrical member adapted to be implanted in the corpus cavernosum of a penis, said member including a pair of inner and outer chambers substantially filled with fluid and connected by a passage. The innermost of said chambers being non-distensible so that it is filled and pressurized by transferring fluid thereto from the outer chamber and it becomes rigid and supports the penis in an erectile state.

Abstract: An implantable system for correcting erectile impotence includes a flexible penile implant with a non-distensible fluid chamber, a single stroke pump and tubing connecting the pump to the non-distensible fluid chamber of the implant. The fluid chamber, tubing and pump are substantially filled with hydraulic fluid and the implant is inflated and made rigid by collapsing a normally expanded pumping chamber to forcibly transfer fluid from the pumping chamber into the non-distensible chamber of the implant.

Abstract: An implant useful for the surgical construction of a penis comprises an elongated member having a pair of stems at the proximal end for anchoring the member in the pubic area of a patient, and a trunk with a urethra receiving and supporting groove and an open distal end. In the preferred embodiment, the implant is made completely of silicone elastomer. A method of constructing a penis using the implant is also described.

Abstract: A mehod of preparing a resealable valve which has a resealable inner core and an outer reinforced cover comprises first molding a hollow shell having a domed top and a bottom with a central opening, then turning the shell inside out and affixing a layer containing reinforcing fabric to the inside of the domed top, next turning the shell right side out and covering the bottom including the central opening with a layer containing reinforcing fabric to complete the cover, filling the thus formed cover with an uncured elastomer and finally curing the cover and its elastomer contents to form the resealable valve.

Abstract: A penile prosthesis which is adapted to be surgically implanted in man for the treatment of erectile impotence includes a penile implant comprising an elongated, flexible cylindrical member having a short relatively stiff proximal portion which is adapted to be implanted into the root end of the corpus cavernosum to support the implant and an elongated flexible distal portion having a non-distensible tubular chamber substantially filled with a non-compressible fluid and a conical tip. The distal section is adapted to be implanted into the corpus cavernosum of the pendulus penis with the conical tip in the distal end of the corpus cavernosum. The prosthesis also includes means for completely filling and pressurizing the chamber to make rigid the non-distensible distal portion. In one embodiment the chamber is filled and pressurized by squeezing the chamber and reducing its volume and in another it is filled and pressurized by transferring additional fluid under pressure into the chamber.

Abstract: The stent is an elongated, flexible generally cylindrical member. One of the ends of the stent is closed and set in the form of a hook and the other end is set in the form of a hook with a long intermediate portion connecting the hook ends. The stent is provided with at least one longitudinally extending groove to provide a passage for fluid and a wire stylet. The stylet is used to straighten the curved ends so that the stent can be cystoscopically inserted within the patient, the stylet being removed when the stent is properly positioned so that upon removal the hooks will reform and prevent the stent from migrating.

Abstract: A penile implant provides a desirable erectness to the penis while at the same time permitting the penis to assume a flaccid position. The implant comprises an elongated rod formed of silicone rubber or other suitable material positionable within the corpus cavernosum of the penis. The rod has axially arrayed sections of various flexural properties. A proximal section suitable for positioning adjacent the pubis is medium stiff in flexure. A longer distal section located in the pendulus penis may be medium stiff or stiffer in flexure. The distal and proximal sections are separated by a very flexible hinge section.

Abstract: A tube especially useful in fiberoptic bronchoscopy has at one end an adapter which is provided with both means for connection to ventilating means and means for introduction of a fiberoptic bronchoscope and has at the other end a section of reduced external diameter provided with an inflatable cuff.

Abstract: A mammary prosthesis or orthopedic pad includes a flexible shell formed of silicone rubber. The shell is filled with a silicone gel, the specific gravity of which is reduced by a dispersion of glass or epoxy microspheres.