Abstract: An endourethral device is provided having an elongate member having proximal and distal segments, the elongate member positionable within a lower urinary tract so as to at least partially traverses a prostatic urethra. A proximal anchor, adapted to abuttingly engage portions of a bladder neck so as to at least proximally anchor the device, is supported at least indirectly by the proximal segment of said elongate member. The proximal anchor includes bladder engaging elements radially extending from the proximal segment of said elongate member, urine being freely dischargable about at least the proximal segment so as to substantially bathe the bladder neck therewith.

Abstract: An endourethral device is provided having an elongate member having proximal and distal segments, the elongate member positionable within a lower urinary tract so as to at least partially traverses a prostatic urethra. A proximal anchor, adapted to abuttingly engage portions of a bladder neck so as to at least proximally anchor the device, is supported at least indirectly by the proximal segment of said elongate member. The proximal anchor includes bladder engaging elements radially extending from the proximal segment of said elongate member, urine being freely dischargable about at least the proximal segment so as to substantially bathe the bladder neck therewith.

Abstract: A urinary flow control device having a bladder responsive flow control assembly operatively engaged with an elongate member having proximal and distal ends, and a lumen capable of discharging urine therethrough is provided. The flow control assembly includes first and second fluid containing compartments adapted to be in fluid communication. The flow control assembly is adapted to receive and contain urine from a bladder so as to impinge upon the first fluid containing compartment. The flow control assembly is responsive to increased bladder pressure such that fluid is displaced from the first fluid containing compartment to the second fluid containing compartment to thereby permit select passage of received urine to the lumen of the elongate member for discharge therethrough. A method of controlling urinary flow is likewise provided.

Abstract: An adjunctive accessory article (25) for controlled release of at least a single physiologically active agent form an indwelling medical device so equipped is provided. The article is configurable as a tubular element upon a portion of the indwelling medical device, with barriers or facilitating coverings overlaying the carrier in furtherance of the controlled release of the active agent. To the extent that requires, affixation means for stable placement upon an indwelling device are further contemplated. Finally, a variety of application systems are described in connection to deployment of sleeve articles upon a portion of an indwelling device.

Abstract: A self adjusting and/or positioning indwelling urethral device is provided. The device generally includes a prostatic urethral stent body and a urethral anchoring element. The prostatic urethral stent body includes a preconfigured end portion for anchored receipt within a bladder with the urethral anchoring element extending from the prostatic urethral stent body via a linkage. Engagement of the proximal anchor, delimited by the preconfigured end portion of the stent body, with the bladder is no or minimal impact upon the trigone region.

Abstract: Several embodiments of an endourethral prosthesis, assembly, and attendant methods are provided for patients presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) or urinary retention. The endourethral prosthesis includes a reversibly expandable element disposed circumferentially about, and longitudinally along a tubular member adapted to receive urine. The tubular member is positionable within a lower urinary tract such that the reversibly expandable element operatively engages a structure of the lower urinary tract so as to prevent migration of the prosthesis so positioned. The reversibly expandible element is in non-reversible fluid communication with the tubular element for selective expansion thereof, the reversibly expandible element is further operatively engagable so as to discharge fluid non-reversibly received from the tubular member exterior to same.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for retrieving a remotely located device equipped with a magnetic coupler is provided. The apparatus includes a magnetic coupling carried at an end of an elongate member for attracting the magnetic coupler of the remotely located device, and aligning the magnetic coupler with the magnetic coupling. A frictional engagement device, substantially housing the magnetic coupling therein, is adapted for trapping the magnetic coupler therein such that a retrieval force applied to the apparatus is transferred to the remotely located device via the frictional engagement device to thereby facilitate sure retrieval of the device as by magnetic mechanical entrapment.

Abstract: An endourethral device is provided having an elongate member having proximal and distal segments, the elongate member positionable within a lower urinary tract so as to at least partially traverses a prostatic urethra. A proximal anchor, adapted to abuttingly engage portions of a bladder neck so as to at least proximally anchor the device, is supported at least indirectly by the proximal segment of said elongate member. The proximal anchor includes bladder engaging elements radially extending from the proximal segment of said elongate member, urine being freely dischargable about at least the proximal segment so as to substantially bathe the bladder neck therewith.

Abstract: A urethral profile apparatus, assembly and appurtenant methodology is provided. The apparatus includes an elongate member having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end including a probe. The probe is selectively positionable within a urethral passageway by axial translation of the elongate member via the distal end, with the probe dimensioned so as to indicate constrictures of the urethral passageway.

Abstract: A urinary flow control device having a bladder responsive flow control assembly operatively engaged with an elongate member having proximal and distal ends, and a lumen capable of discharging urine therethrough is provided. The flow control assembly includes first and second fluid containing compartments adapted to be in fluid communication. The flow control assembly is adapted to receive and contain urine from a bladder so as to impinge upon the first fluid containing compartment. The flow control assembly is responsive to increased bladder pressure such that fluid is displaced from the first fluid containing compartment to the second fluid containing compartment to thereby permit select passage of received urine to the lumen of the elongate member for discharge therethrough. A method of controlling urinary flow is likewise provided.

Abstract: An endourethral device including proximal and distal anchor assemblies selectively spaced apart by a device body is provided. The proximal anchor assembly is adapted to abuttingly engage at least portions of a bladder neck so as to at least proximally anchor said device, the distal anchor assembly being adapted to engage at least portions of a bulbous urethra so as to at least distally anchor said device. The body extends between the proximal and distal anchors assemblies, the device being adapted such that the anchors are selectively spaced apart for fixed positioning within a lower urinary tract in furtherance of a portion of the body at least partially traversing a prostatic urethra.

Abstract: A diagnostic urethral assembly includes an elongate body having a fluid passageway and an elongate support member selectively positionable within the fluid passageway of the elongate body. The elongate body has a radially responsive wall segment that is being positionable within a lower urinary tract such that the radially responsive wall segment is adjacent a prostatic urethra. The elongate body is adapted to be in fluid communication with a bladder. The assembly has a first condition wherein the elongate support member is translatable relative to the elongate body so as to permit sequential and incremental radial compression of the radially responsive wall segment by the prostatic urethra in furtherance of defining architecture associated with the prostatic urethra and a second condition wherein fluid distally introduced into the elongate body radially expands the radially responsive wall segment into conforming engagement with the prostatic urethra in furtherance of obtaining a mold of same.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for retrieving a remotely located device equipped with a magnetic coupler is provided. The apparatus includes a magnetic coupling carried at an end of an elongate member for attracting the magnetic coupler of the remotely located device, and aligning the magnetic coupler with the magnetic coupling. A frictional engagement device, substantially housing the magnetic coupling therein, is adapted for trapping the magnetic coupler therein such that a retrieval force applied to the apparatus is transferred to the remotely located device via the frictional engagement device to thereby facilitate sure retrieval of the device as by magnetic mechanical entrapment.

Abstract: A urinary flow control device having a bladder responsive flow control assembly operatively engaged with an elongate member having proximal and distal ends, and a lumen capable of discharging urine therethrough is provided. The flow control assembly includes first and second fluid containing compartments adapted to be in fluid communication. The flow control assembly is adapted to receive and contain urine from a bladder so as to impinge upon the first fluid containing compartment. The flow control assembly is responsive to increased bladder pressure such that fluid is displaced from the first fluid containing compartment to the second fluid containing compartment to thereby permit select passage of received urine to the lumen of the elongate member for discharge therethrough. A method of controlling urinary flow is likewise provided.

Abstract: An endourethral device including proximal and distal anchor assemblies selectively spaced apart by a device body is provided. The proximal anchor assembly is adapted to abuttingly engage at least portions of a bladder neck so as to at least proximally anchor said device, the distal anchor assembly being adapted to engage at least portions of a bulbous urethra so as to at least distally anchor said device. The body extends between the proximal and distal anchors assemblies, the device being adapted such that the anchors are selectively spaced apart for fixed positioning within a lower urinary tract in furtherance of a portion of the body at least partially traversing a prostatic urethra.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for retrieving a remotely located device equipped with a magnetic coupler is provided. The apparatus includes a magnetic coupling carried at an end of an elongate member for attracting the magnetic coupler of the remotely located device, and aligning the magnetic coupler with the magnetic coupling. A frictional engagement device, substantially housing the magnetic coupling therein, is adapted for trapping the magnetic coupler therein such that a retrieval force applied to the apparatus is transferred to the remotely located device via the frictional engagement device to thereby facilitate sure retrieval of the device as by magnetic mechanical entrapment.

Abstract: A urinary flow control device having a bladder responsive flow control assembly operatively engaged with an elongate member having proximal and distal ends, and a lumen capable of discharging urine therethrough is provided. The flow control assembly includes first and second fluid containing compartments adapted to be in fluid communication. The flow control assembly is adapted to receive and contain urine from a bladder so as to impinge upon the first fluid containing compartment. The flow control assembly is responsive to increased bladder pressure such that fluid is displaced from the first fluid containing compartment to the second fluid containing compartment to thereby permit select passage of received urine to the lumen of the elongate member for discharge therethrough. A method of controlling urinary flow is likewise provided.

Abstract: A urethral profile apparatus, assembly and appurtenant methodology is provided. The apparatus includes an elongate member having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end including a probe. The probe is selectively positionable within a urethral passageway by axial translation of the elongate member via the distal end, with the probe dimensioned so as to indicate constrictures of the urethral passageway.

Abstract: An endourethral device is provided having an elongate member having proximal and distal segments, the elongate member positionable within a lower urinary tract so as to at least partially traverses a prostatic urethra. A proximal anchor, adapted to abuttingly engage portions of a bladder neck so as to at least proximally anchor the device, is supported at least indirectly by the proximal segment of said elongate member. The proximal anchor includes bladder engaging elements radially extending from the proximal segment of said elongate member, urine being freely dischargable about at least the proximal segment so as to substantially bathe the bladder neck therewith.

Abstract: A diagnostic urethral assembly is provided. The assembly includes an elongate body having a fluid passageway and an elongate support member selectively positionable within the fluid passageway of the elongate body. The elongate body has a radially responsive wall segment, the elongate body being positionable within a lower urinary tract such that the radially responsive wall segment is adjacent a prostatic urethra. The elongate body is adapted to be in fluid communication with a bladder. The assembly has a first operably selective condition wherein the elongate support member is translatable relative to the elongate body so as to permit sequential and incremental radial compression of the radially responsive wall segment by the prostatic urethra in furtherance of defining architecture associated with the prostatic urethra.