Abstract: An implantable pump with a plurality of protrusions and grooves is described.

Abstract: A pump assembly for a penile implant is provided having a mechanism which prevents spontaneous inflation of the cylinders implanted within the patient. The pump assembly has an actuating bar with ribs to enhance the spring force applied to a flow valve, a support structure to support and appropriately position the actuating bar, and a check valve made of metal with a segment covered with a plastic material. The preventative mechanism uses overpressure generated by the reservoir during unintentional compression to effectively seal the cylinders from unintended fluid flow. The prevention mechanism itself creates all necessary forces to prevent the undesired fluid flow to the cylinders. This is accomplished by incorporating appropriate mechanisms within the pump itself.

Abstract: A pump and valve assembly for an implantable prosthesis is provided with an internal actuating bar positioned such that when any portion of the housing is compressed, the check valves within are opened allowing for deflation of the cylinders. The pump and valve assembly also includes a textured surface over a portion of the housing to allow for quick identification of the component, as well as to make it easier for the patient to grasp it. The valve assembly further comprising an actuating bar which has ribs to enhance the spring force applied to a flow valve, a support structure to support and appropriately position the actuating bar, and a check valve made of metal with a segment covered with a plastic material.

Abstract: A penile prosthesis beneficially includes components coated with parylene in order to increase product life and reduce wear. In particular, components of the inflatable cylinder benefits from having been coated with parylene. The parylene-coated cylinder components are resistant to wear generated by pinching of the cylinder when the cylinder is in a flaccid state. The parylene-coated cylinder may be formed by masking a tube of silicone (or other appropriate material) and vapor coating the silicone tube with parylene. Further, where a double walled cylinder is used, each of two tubes making up the double wall cylinder can have their surfaces coated with parylene, thus increasing cylinder life and avoiding wear.

Abstract: A penile prosthesis beneficially includes components coated with parylene in order to increase product life and reduce wear. In particular, components of the inflatable cylinder benefits from having been coated with parylene. The parylene-coated cylinder components are resistant to wear generated by pinching of the cylinder when the cylinder is in a flaccid state. The parylene-coated cylinder may be formed by masking a tube of silicone (or other appropriate material) and vapor coating the silicone tube with parylene. Further, where a double walled cylinder is used, each of two tubes making up the double wall cylinder can have their surfaces coated with parylene, thus increasing cylinder life and avoiding wear.

Abstract: A pump assembly for a penile implant is provided having a mechanism which prevents spontaneous inflation of the cylinders implanted within the user. The preventative mechanism uses overpressure generated by the reservoir during unintentional compression to effectively seal the pump assembly from unintended fluid flow. The prevention mechanism itself creates all necessary forces to prevent the undesired fluid flow to the cylinders. This is accomplished by incorporating appropriate mechanisms within the pump itself.

Abstract: A pump assembly for a penile implant is provided having a mechanism which prevents spontaneous inflation of the cylinders implanted within the user. The preventative mechanism uses overpressure generated by the reservoir during unintentional compression to effectively seal the pump assembly from unintended fluid flow. The prevention mechanism itself creates all necessary forces to prevent the undesired fluid flow to the cylinders. This is accomplished by incorporating appropriate mechanisms within the pump itself.

Abstract: This invention provides an artificial sphincter including a component coated on at least one contacting surface with a polymeric material, the polymeric coating adapted to expand and return to an original configuration and to prevent or inhibit wear or abrasion of the contacting surface. The polymeric material is parylene in some embodiments. The component adapted for inflation and deflation may be a cuff formed from silicon and adapted to surround a urethra or a rectum. Also provided by the present invention is a method of depositing a coating to a surface of an inflatable component by providing a vacuum chamber system having an inner chamber positioned within an outer chamber. At least one coating material is introduced into at least one of the inner and outer chambers to deposit a coating onto an exposed surface of the component. This invention also provides methods of masking portions of surfaces of an inflatable component to prevent a coating from being deposited on the masked portion.

Abstract: A pump assembly for a penile implant is provided having a mechanism which prevents spontaneous inflation of the cylinders implanted within the user. The preventative mechanism uses overpressure generated by the reservoir during unintentional compression to effectively seal the pump assembly from unintended fluid flow. The prevention mechanism itself creates all necessary forces to prevent the undesired fluid flow to the cylinders. This is accomplished by incorporating appropriate mechanisms within the pump itself.

Abstract: A pump and valve assembly for an implantable prothsesis is provided with an internal actuating bar positioned such that when any portion of the housing is compressed, the check valves within are opened allowing for deflation of the cylinders. The pump and valve assembly also includes a textured surface over a portion of the housing to allow for quick identification of the component, as well as to make it easier for the patient to grasp it. The pump bulb has a different size than than the valve assembly, further facilating the differention between the two based on tactile perception.

Abstract: A pump assembly for a penile implant is provided having a mechanism which prevents spontaneous inflation of the cylinders implanted within the patient. The preventative mechanism uses overpressure generated by the reservoir during unintentional compression to effectively seal the cylinders from unintended fluid flow. The prevention mechanism itself creates all necessary forces to prevent the undesired fluid flow to the cylinders. This is accomplished by incorporating appropriate mechanisms within the pump itself.

Abstract: A pump assembly for a penile implant is provided having a mechanism which prevents spontaneous inflation of the cylinders implanted within the patient. The pump assembly has an actuating bar with ribs to enhance the spring force applied to a flow valve, a support structure to support and appropriately position the actuating bar, and a check valve made of metal with a segment covered with a plastic material. The preventative mechanism uses overpressure generated by the reservoir during unintentional compression to effectively seal the cylinders from unintended fluid flow. The prevention mechanism itself creates all necessary forces to prevent the undesired fluid flow to the cylinders. This is accomplished by incorporating appropriate mechanisms within the pump itself.

Abstract: A pump and valve assembly for an implantable prosthesis is provided with an internal actuating bar positioned such that when any portion of the housing is compressed, the check valves within are opened allowing for deflation of the cylinders. The pump and valve assembly also includes a textured surface over a portion of the housing to allow for quick identification of the component, as well as to make it easier for the patient to grasp it. The valve assembly further comprising an actuating bar which has ribs to enhance the spring force applied to a flow valve, a support structure to support and appropriately position the actuating bar, and a check valve made of metal with a segment covered with a plastic material.

Abstract: A malleable penile prosthesis adapted to be implanted in a corpus cavemosum of a penis comprising an elongated core which is bendable about its longitudinal axis with the capability of holding the configuration to which it is bent and is substantially rigid when in the unbent straight configuration, a sleeve of braided biocompatible material, having an inner surface and an outer surface, enveloping the core with the inner surface of the sleeve in contact with the core and the sleeve and core being accommodated within an outer tube of elastomeric material, which tube has a substantially rounded smooth outer surface and an inner surface having a profile formed of alternate grooves and ribs in a substantially helical arrangement. A method of forming a malleable prosthesis is also disclosed.

Abstract: A malleable penile prosthesis adapted to be implanted in a corpus cavernosum of a penis comprising an elongated core which is bendable about its longitudinal axis with the capability of holding the configuration to which it is bent and is substantially rigid when in the unbent straight configuration, a sleeve of braided biocompatible material, having an inner surface and an outer surface, enveloping the core with the inner surface of the sleeve in contact with the core and the sleeve and core being accommodated within an outer tube of elastomeric material, which tube has a substantially rounded smooth outer surface and an inner surface having a profile formed of alternate grooves and ribs in a substantially helical arrangement. A method of forming a malleable prosthesis is also disclosed.

Abstract: A unitary, inflatable penile prosthesis system includes a prosthesis implantable within the corpus cavernosum of the penis in order to alleviate erectile impotency. A tubular enclosure includes a distal pump, a medial pressurizable chamber, and a proximal fluid reservoir. A pump draws fluid from the reservoir through an external fluid passageway into the pressurizable chamber. The pressurizable chamber is defined by an internal, tubular, substantially nondistensible portion and a concentric tubular sleeve. The nondistensible portion is crimped so that it may expand in diameter. Upon expansion, the prosthesis assumes a straight, erect state. The sleeve may elastically bias the nondistensible portion to its flaccid state. Fluid for filling the nondistensible portion may be stored in a rear fluid reservoir having a rigid internal stabilizer.

Abstract: A surgically implantable prosthesis for the treatment of penile erectile impotence in male patients. The device comprises at least one elongated cylinder implanted within one of the corpora cavernosa of the penis. The flexible, distal end of the cylinder is adapted to rigidize upon being filled with pressurizing fluid. The rear tip or proximal end of the cylinder is formed to provide a chamber which serves as a fluid reservoir. Valve means contained within the flexible, distal end section of the cylinder, for conveniently accessible manual manipulation is utilized to selectively control fluid flow between the rear tip reservoir and the distal end of the cylinder. The prosthesis further includes a manually operable pump means utilized to transfer pressurized fluid from the rear tip reservoir to the distal end of the cylinder in order to achieve an erection. The walls of the rear tip reservoir itself may serve as the pump means, or a separate pump may be implanted within the scrotum.

Abstract: The urethral catheter puller described in this application provides a convenient apparatus for performing urological diagnostic procedures such as urethral pressure profilometry and urethral electromyographic profilometry. In practice, a urethral catheter is mounted on catheter supports attached to the boom of the puller. The boom is equipped with positioning apparatus so that the catheter supports may be positioned in close proximity to the patient. The puller allows the catheter to be pulled in a horizontal or vertical direction, thus allowing the patient to stand or lie in a bed during the diagnostic procedure. The catheter supports are equipped with suitable structures to control the motion of the catheter as it is withdrawn from the urethra of the patient. A variable speed drive is provided to control the rate at which the catheter is withdrawn.