Abstract: A leak point wetness sensor for urological investigations. A receptacle receives liquid which leaks past a catheter inserted in the urethra. A temperature sensitive detector sensor is contacted by the leaked liquid and provides a signal output responsive to the temperature of the liquid. A circuit produces a reference output simulative of a temperature below the anticipated temperature of leaked liquid. A comparator produces a signal when the difference between the outputs is sufficient to confirm leakage.

Abstract: A catheter device for fixation to the human body comprises a catheter having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end comprising one or more fins, the fins having an open position defining a large diameter and a closed position of small diameter. The catheter has a catheter body and a push tube sliding axially within the catheter body for manipulating the fins into the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A system for estimating the volume of fluid in the bladder sequentially scans the bladder with ultrasonic beams that section the bladder into a number of transverse planes. The system determines, from the scan lines associated with a given plane, a plurality of points on each of the front and back walls of the bladder. It then fits a curve to the set of front wall points and another curve to the set of back wall points, to determine an outline of the bladder in the plane. The system next calculates the cross sectional area of the bladder in the plane based on the two curves. After determining the area in each of the planes, the system determines the volume of the bladder by summing weighted version of the planar areas. The system includes a transducer that consists of a plurality of piezo-electric elements held in a relatively thin elastomeric pad and/or substrate that is acoustically impedance matched to skin.

Abstract: Medical apparatus includes an external drive magnet mounted for rotation externally of a subject's body, an implantable driven magnet configured and dimensioned to be implantable in the subject's body and mounted for t rotation by magnetic coupling with the drive magnet and an implantable device mechanically coupled to the driven magnet to be driven thereby. The driven magnet is mountable for rotation in the subject's body about an axis of rotation which is not collinear with the axis of rotation of the external drive magnet such that the magnetic poles of the external drive magnet are magnetically coupled sequentially with the magnetic poles of the implanted driven magnet to rotate the implanted driven magnet, thereby providing flexibility in the location, design and dimensions of the implanted driven magnet, and in the speed and torque ratios between the two magnets.

Abstract: A system for estimating the volume of fluid in the bladder sequentially scans the bladder with ultrasonic beams that section the bladder into a number of transverse planes. The system determines, from the scan lines associated with a given plane, a plurality of points on each of the front and back walls of the bladder. It then fits a curve to the set of front wall points and another curve to the set of back wall points, to determine an outline of the bladder in the plane. The system next calculates the cross sectional area of the bladder in the plane based on the two curves. After determining the area in each of the planes, the system determines the volume of the bladder by summing weighted version of the planar areas. The system includes a transducer that consists of a plurality of piezo-electric elements held in a relatively thin elastomeric pad and/or substrate that is acoustically impedance matched to skin.

Abstract: An incontinence system includes an anchoring mechanism and a channel with a blocking valve positioned in the channel, the blocking valve in a first state prevents urine flow through the channel and in a second state allows urine to flow through the channel. The anchoring mechanism may be a fixation balloon that is contoured to the geometry of the bladder near the opening to the urethra. When urine flows through the channel it flows around a lumen that provides access to the fixation balloon. The fixation balloon may be attached to a shortened Foley-type catheter, with the catheter providing the channel through the balloon. The catheter may contain a lumen that provides access to the blocking valve and it may also contain the lumen that provides access to the fixation balloon. The fixation balloon is inserted in a deflated state and inflated to hold the system in place. The fixation balloon remains inflated with the blocking valve providing continence and allowing voiding.

Abstract: A urethral valve system includes a valve balloon that inflates to provide continence and deflates to allow urine to flow around the balloon and an attached catheter that extends through the urethra, and out of the body through the meatus. The urine cleanses the valve balloon, the catheter and the urethra of bacteria, and thus, minimizes infection. The catheter includes a check valve at the end that is accessible to the user. To inflate the balloon, the user attaches to the check valve a small pump that supplies air or a liquid such as water to inflate the balloon. To deflate the balloon, the user manipulates the check valve to allow the water or air to drain from the balloon. The valve balloon may be positioned in the bladder. To retain the system in the bladder when urine flows around the balloon and the catheter, the balloon deflates to a shape that is wider than the diameter of the neck of the bladder.