Abstract: Rotary filter including a perforated, rotatable drum and at least one blowback valve located in close proximity to the interior surface of the drum. In a preferred embodiment, the blowback valve includes an opening adjacent the drum for the discharge of a gas and the opening includes at least one radial position adjusting device alignable with a hole in the perforated drum, whereby the radial position of the blowback valve in relation to the interior of the drum is adjustable externally through perforations in the drum. The external adjustment permits drums longer than possible with prior art rotary filters.

Abstract: A urethral catheter having an adjustable dilating balloon length for dilating a prostatic urethra and a method for using same. The device includes a catheter to which a Foley balloon is affixed at the distal end, and to which a dilating balloon is annularly affixed, and includes means to independently expand and contract the balloons. Concentrically encompassing the catheter is a sheath or ring, which in one embodiment slides along the outside of the catheter. With the method of the present invention, the affected prostatic urethra is measured using a cystoscope and a calibrated catheter or other known measurement means. The sheath of an adjustable catheter of one embodiment of the present invention is set to the measured length by covering a portion of the dilating balloon with the sheath. The dilating catheter is inserted through the urethra until the balloon at the distal end is located within the bladder, at which point it is inflated and the dilating catheter is anchored in position.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for treating obstructive prostatism in which a urethral catheter having a remotely fixed annular balloon is inserted into the urethra and urged therethrough until it is adjacent to the prostate gland. The annular balloon is inflated until the prostate has been forced back from around the urethra. A distally fixed Foley-type balloon may additionally be used to position the annular balloon with respect to the prostate. In the preferred embodiment, the distance between the bladder neck and the bottom of the prostate gland is first determined in order that the attending physician may use an annular balloon of the appropriate length, so as to optimize the effectiveness of the treatment. In order to measure this distance, a calibrated catheter is inserted through the urethra up into the bladder and then anchored at one end to the bladder neck by means of a balloon located at the distal end.