Abstract: A novel urethral plug having adhesive thereon, wherein the adhesive seals the plug against the tissues surrounding the meatus and/or urethra, thereby arresting movement of the plug while it functions in the urethra to block the flow of urine. The urethral plug comprises a hollow or solid body which is of a sufficient length and diameter to occlude the urethra. In one embodiment, adhesive is disposed on the meatal plate of the plug so as to secure the plug against the tissues surrounding the urethral meatus. In a second embodiment, adhesive is disposed on the body of the plug so as to seal the plug against the urethral wall. In a third embodiment, the adhesive is disposed on a portion of the meatal plate so as to seal the plug against the tissues surrounding the urethral meatus. The adhesive seals the urethral plug in place until the user wishes to void, at which time, the seal may be broken by exerting a pulling force on the plug.

Abstract: A novel urethral plug assembly having adhesive thereon, wherein the adhesive seals the plug assembly against an internal wall thereby arresting movement of the plug assembly while it functions in the urethra to block the flow of urine therefrom. The plug assembly may comprise a solid body which is of a sufficient diameter to occlude the urethra. Alternatively, the plug assembly may comprise a body which has the ability to change its shape from a compressed to an elongated condition so as to conform to the urethral wall and occlude the opening to the urethra. In one embodiment of the invention, the adhesive lies on the meatal plate of the plug assembly so as to secure the plug assembly against the meatus urinarius. In a second embodiment of the invention, the adhesive is on the body of the plug assembly so as to seal the plug assembly against the urethra, bladder neck or bladder wall.

Abstract: A novel urethral plug comprising a cooperating shaft and balloon, lying in coaxial engagement. The balloon possesses a contracted shape for insertion and removal through the opening of the urethra, and a larger, expanded shape for blocking the flow of urine in the urethra, bladder neck and bladder. After insertion, such an expanded shape is achieved by inflation of the balloon through the use of an external source such as a syringe which introduces fluid through an opening and into the shaft. The fluid acts upon a ball valve, thus pushing the ball past a valve seat, thereby permitting fluid to travel through the shaft and into the balloon. Fluid transmission continues until the balloon is expanded to such an extent as to block the flow of urine. The balloon retains the fluid therein, and the force of the fluid on the ball valve causes the ball to rest firmly against the valve seat. The balloon, when expanded thus functions to seal the plug to the urethra, bladder neck and bladder.

Abstract: A device for the control of urinary incontinence comprising a urethral plug self-movable between a first condition in which the plug is relatively rigid and generally tubular, with a smaller diameter for travel through the orifice of the urethra, and a second condition in which the plug is flexible and expansible to a larger diameter for retaining the plug in a mammalian body and blocking the flow of urine. A larger diameter is achieved by exposure of a tube-like member of the plug to natural bodily conditions, resulting in an automatic expansion of the tube, whereupon the expansion causes the tube-like member to form a seal with the urethra, bladder neck or bladder wall. The plug further has a meatal plate for anchoring the plug in the urethra and preventing migration into the bladder.

Abstract: A novel urethral plug assembly having adhesive thereon, wherein the adhesive seals the plug assembly against an internal wall thereby arresting movement of the plug assembly while it functions in the urethra to block the flow of urine therefrom. The plug assembly may comprise a solid body which is of a sufficient diameter to occlude the urethra. Alternatively, the plug assembly may comprise a body which has the ability to change its shape from a compressed to an elongated condition so as to conform to the urethral wall and occlude the opening to the urethra. In one embodiment of the invention, the adhesive lies on the meatal plate of the plug assembly so as to secure the plug assembly against the meatus urinarius. In a second embodiment of the invention, the adhesive is on the body of the plug assembly so as to seal the plug assembly against the urethra, bladder neck or bladder wall.

Abstract: A urethral plug assembly having a cooperating housing and inner member, the plug assembly possessing a contracted diameter for insertion and removal through the orifice of the urethra, and a larger, expanded diameter for blocking the flow of urine in the urethra, bladder neck and bladder. A larger diameter is achieved by mechanical deployment of the inner member, which results in the expansion of the housing, or in another embodiment, which results in the expansion of the inner member. A balloon is additionally expanded, thus sealing the plug assembly to the urethral, bladder neck and bladder wall. The plug assembly further has a meatal plate for anchoring the plug assembly in the urethra, preventing migration of the plug assembly into the bladder. Removal of the plug assembly for bladder evacuation, is easily accomplished by pulling a cord causing the contraction of the expanded housing or inner member, and grasping a tab associated with said meatal plate.

Abstract: A steerable guidewire for gently penetrating an occlusion within a vessel, with an elongated solid main guidewire body having selected stiffness characteristics along its length to allow the guidewire to be urged through a narrow, tortuous body lumen by application of forces at a proximal end, and an enlarged distal end portion having a diameter larger than portions of the guidewire proximal thereof including a soft polymeric element and a permanently deflected portion to enable steering of the guidewire.

Abstract: A guidewire for penetrating an occlusion within a duct or vessel, such as a blood vessel, has an elongated main guidewire body of a small, first diameter. The guidewire is terminated at its distal end with an enlarged resilient tip portion having a lubricious outer surface, and is shaped and constructed to penetrate the occlusion. The guidewire body is constructed to be to be relatively flexible in the distal end corresponding to the enlarged tip and relatively stiffer in portions proximal thereof for manipulation of the wire from its proximal end to cause the distal tip portion to penetrate the occlusion and form a passage therein. In an embodiment, an outer sleeve is slid over the main body and butting against the proximal end of the enlarged tip portion contributes to axial stiffness of the combination to enable manipulation through the occlusion. After placement this sleeve is removed and a dilatation catheter is slid over the main body, and enters the occlusion behind the enlarged tip portion.