Abstract: A female incontinence control device includes a conduit having inlet and outlet openings for receiving, conducting and discharging urinary fluid. The device also includes structure for holding the conduit in position relative to the urethra such that the inlet opening is adapted to receive substantially all of the urinary fluids which drain from the bladder, and the outlet opening of the conduit is positioned outside the urethra. In one embodiment of the invention, the device can be entirely contained within the labia majora. In other embodiments of the invention the device extends through the urethra to the bladder. In all embodiments of the invention a drainage control valve is positioned within the conduit for location intermediate the urethral orifice and the labia majora for manual actuation to selectively control urinary flow through the conduit.

Abstract: The female incontinence control device includes a conduit having inlet and outlet openings for receiving, conducting and discharging urinary fluid. The device also includes stabilizing structure for holding the conduit in its installed position relative to the urethra and bladder such that a drainage inlet opening can receive fluid from the bladder, and the outlet discharge opening is positioned outside the urethra. The conduit includes a manually actuatable drainage control valve adapted to be positioned outside the urethra. Manual actuation of the valve from a closed position to an open position is thus easily accomplished by manipulating an actuator member at a distal end portion of the conduit to selectively control urinary discharge from the conduit. The actuator member can be formed as an extension of a valve member or interconnected with the valve member through a flexible connecting link.

Abstract: A sterile, fully assembled, multi-component, penile erectile system which is to be surgically implanted in man for the treatment of erectile impotence includes at least one elongated, flexible cylindrical member with a pressure chamber for implanting into the pendulous penis; a pressure bulb to be implanted in the scrotal sac; tubing integrally connecting the pressure chamber and the bulb to form a closed system; and, a system for adding or subtracting fluid from the system. The tubing is reinforced so that it will not collapse under suction or kink when bent. In one embodiment the pressure bulb is a multi-stroke pump and in another embodiment there is a receptacle for storing any tubing in excess of that required to extend between two or more components in a given patient. A method of sterilizing and packaging the system so that it can be provided to a surgeon assembled, filled and sterile is also described.

Abstract: A penile prosthesis consists of a pair of inflatable penile implants which each having a cylindrical body which contains a hydraulic system including a pressure chamber, a reservoir for pressurizing fluid, and a pump for transferring fluid under pressure to the pressure chamber to make it rigid. Each implant also contains a longitudinally compressible, but radially incompressible bellows in the reservoir which expands when the reservoir is empty and prevents the reservoir wall from collapsing. In one embodiment, a tube extends from the pump in the tip to the reservoir at the rear through the pressure chamber and there is a restricted orifice through which fluid can bleed back into the reservoir from the pressure chamber thus automatically controlling the length of time that the pressure chamber is pressurized and rigid.

Abstract: The nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity monitor includes a penile cuff formed on a nondistensible flexible membrane with an internal chamber defined therein. The chamber is initially filled with liquid from a reservoir until the cuff contacts the periphery of a flaccid penis. The flaccid penile diameter is correlated with the amount of liquid in the cuff by use of a weight sensor signal. During penile expansion, liquid in the cuff is displaced into the fluid reservoir and the tumescence is correlated with the amount of liquid displaced from the cuff by making a weight measurement of the reservoir after such liquid displacement. The weight sensor provides signals that permit a continuous plot of penile tumescence on a strip chart. When the penile tumescence is at a predetermined reference magnitude, a rigidity test is started.

Abstract: An implantable prosthesis for correcting erectile impotence includes at least one penile implant with a pressure chamber, an accumulator charged with fluid, tubing connecting the accumulator to the pressure chamber of the implant, a valve which is normally closed and a lever which can be moved to open the valve so that pressurizing fluid will flow from the accumulator into the pressure chamber.

Abstract: An inflatable penile implant includes a novel compensator which both absorbs any increased pressure to protect the components of the hydraulic system from pressure damage and which permits the implant to be shortened in length without impairing its function. An improved tapered pumping chamber, improved pump valve and an improved pressure relief valve are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved penile prosthesis includes at least one elongated, flexible cylinder containing a non-distensible bladder for implantation in the pendulous penis; a pump for implantation in the scrotal sac; tubing connecting the pump to the bladder; a valve for retaining the fluid in the bladder; and, an elastic retracting cylinder positioned about the bladder. The retracting cylinder is smaller than the fully inflated bladder and stretches when the bladder is inflated. When the bladder is fully inflated and valve is opened to permit fluid to exit, the stretched retracting cylinder automatically forces fluid out of the bladder.

Abstract: A penile prosthesis is disclosed that can be extended and retracted by the application of fluid pressure to an internal chamber. The chamber includes a non-dispensible sheath portion that can be reversibly extended from a wrinkled retracted condition to a taut extended condition in response to the amount of fluid pressure in the internal chamber.

Abstract: An inflatable penile implant includes a novel compensator which both absorbs any increased pressure to protect the components of the hydraulic system from pressure damage and which permits the implant to be shortened in length without impairing its function. An improved tapered pumping chamber, improved pump valve and an improved pressure relief valve are also disclosed.

Abstract: The penile prosthesis includes proximal and distal end portions with an intermediate, normally flexible main body portion. The main body portion includes an array of segments that, although individually pivotable with respect to each other, can be rendered into a rigid unit by engagement with interfering members. The interfering members prevent flexion of the prosthesis to enable the prosthesis to support the penis in a erectile condition. The prosthesis is manually manipulable to establish the penis in an erectile condition or a flaccid condition as desired.

Abstract: The infusion erectile system prosthesis includes a dispensing device implanted in a scrotal sac or subcutaneously in an area adjacent the scrotal sac. The dispensing device includes a reservoir for storing erection stimulating material and a pumping arrangement for actuating movement of the erection stimulating material from the reservoir through a flow tube that joins the penis. The flow tube penetrates a peripheral portion of the penis and communicates with the corpus cavernosum. Infusion of the erection stimulating material into the corpus cavernosum causes an erection to occur. The pump which actuates movement of the erection stimulating material is actuatable manually or electrically.

Abstract: A penile prosthesis which is adapted to be surgically implanted in man for the treatment of erectile impotence includes at least one elongated, flexible cylindrical member which is adapted to be implanted into the corpus cavernosum of the pendulous penis, a pressure bulb for pressurizing liquid and tubing connecting the member and the bulb. The member includes an inner non-distensible pressure chamber and an outer distensible chamber. The two chambers are connected by a passage and a valve for controlling flow through the passage so that fluid can be transferred from the pressure bulb via the pressure chamber to the outer chamber to cause it to distend and in turn increase penile girth.

Abstract: A self-contained penile implant includes a pressure chamber, a fluid reservoir, a pump for transferring fluid from the reservoir to the pressure chamber and a release valve which can be manually deformed to release the pressure in the pressure chamber and permit fluid to flow from the pressure chamber to the reservoir.

Abstract: A capacitance device for a medical implant having a hydraulic system including a pressure chamber in which hydraulic pressure must be maintained at a working level comprises an impermeable, elastic bladder which is positioned in the pressure chamber. The bladder is filled with gas so that when fluid is lost from the pressure chamber through leaks within the hydraulic system the bladder will expand to compensate for the fluid loss and prevent severe pressure drops.

Abstract: A penile erectile system which is adapted to be surgically implanted in man for the treatment of erectile impotence includes at least one penile implant comprising an elongated, flexible cylindrical body (11, 11') adapted to be implanted in the corpus cavernosum of a penis, said body having a tip (14) at one end and an anchoring stem (12) at the other end and an intermediate section (13) including a pair of inner (17) and outer (18) chambers substantially filled with fluid (20) and connected by a passage (21). The body (11, 11') also includes internal pump means (19) adjacent the stem for transferring fluid into the inner chamber (17) and a control valve (29) adjacent the tip (14) for controlling pressure in the inner chamber (17). The inner chamber (17) is non-distensible so that when it is filled and pressurized by transferring fluid thereto it becomes rigid and supports the penis in an erectile state.

Abstract: The inflatable cuff of an artificial sphincter is secured in place about a natural body passage by fastening means which consist of a reinforcing belt for encircling the cuff and a clip to hold the belt in place. The belt has a reinforcing intermediate section of substantially uniform thickness throughout and a pair of ends, each of which have enlarged beads at their tips. At least one of the ends of the belt has a pair of spaced apart fingers which are especially useful for extending through the mesentery without interfering with the blood supply of said passage and the clip has bead receiving and retaining cavities for securing the belt in place.

Abstract: In an improved rod-type penile implant having a relatively stiff proximal portion for positioning inside the corpus cavernosum adjacent the pubis for supporting the implant, a longer relatively stiff distal portion for positioning in the corpus cavernosum of the pendulous penis and a hinge separating the distal and proximal portions, the improvement which comprises a distal portion including a reinforced inner core having a main body of relatively stiff material which is united to an outer tubular sleeve of fabric having a relatively high tensile strength so that the main body and fabric sleeve act together to increase the stiffness of the inner core.

Abstract: A simple, reliable pressure control valve for a medical device having a hydraulic system comprises a valve housing having an open top and a bottom and an inwardly directed shoulder partially closing the top; a poppet with an upwardly extending stem mounted in the housing between the top and the bottom; a sealing edge mounted on the poppet circumferentially about the stem, and a calibrated spring urging the poppet towards the open top of the housing so that the sealing edge is in sealing contact with the underside of said shoulder and the stem extends above the top of said housing so that manual pressure can be exerted upon the stem to open the valve or the valve can be opened by a hydraulic pressure which exerts sufficient force upon the top of the poppet to overcome the force of the spring.

Abstract: An improved pressure control valve for a medical device having a hydraulic system comprises a valve housing having an open top and a bottom and an inwardly directed shoulder partially closing the top. A poppet with an upwardly extending stem is mounted in the housing between the top and the bottom. The poppet has a sealing edge mounted on its top about the stem, and there is a calibrated spring urging the poppet towards the open top of the housing so that the sealing edge is in sealing contact with the underside of the shoulder thus closing the valve. The poppet has an internal passage extending therethrough from an inlet in the bottom of the base of the poppet to an outlet in the side of the stem. The outlet in the stem is normally closed by an elastic band which is circumferentially positioned about the stem.