Abstract: A drug-infusing device is implanted into a body cavity such as a bladder. The device is implanted in an uninflated, low profile state. After insertion into the body cavity, the device is filled with a substance, such as a drug, and assumes an increased profile. After the device is filled, it is allowed to float freely within the body cavity. Alternatively, the device can be tethered to a wall of the body cavity. The device delivers the drug at a controlled rate over an extended period of time. In order to deliver the drug at a controlled rate, the device preferably has a pressure-responsive valving member. The flow resistance of the valving member is responsive to the pressure at which the drug is stored within the infusing device. The resistance of the valving member decreases as the pressure within the infusing device decreases, thereby providing a resultant controlled flow rate.

Abstract: A method for alleviating female urinary incontinence especially during episodes of increased intra-abdominal pressure is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a non-absorbent urinary incontinence device having an initial cross-sectional area, an insertion end and a trailing end. The urinary incontinence device also contains a compressed resilient member which is capable of increasing the cross-section area of the urinary incontinence device when expanded. The urinary incontinence device is inserted into a woman's vagina with the insertion end entering first. The vagina is a canal with an inner periphery made up of right and left lateral walls, an anterior wall and a posterior wall. The urinary incontinence device is inserted such that it contacts at least two of the walls. The urinary incontinence device is positioned in the middle third of the length of the vaginal canal with the insertion end aligned adjacent to a woman's urethral sphincter muscle.

Abstract: An anchoring system for a urethral catheter (14, 36), and a method of its use, involve a resilient anchor-interval portion (40) of a catheter drainage shaft (42, 42'), positioned between a bladder balloon (26) and a urethral anchoring cuff balloon (44). The anchor-interval portion has a sinusoidal configuration lengthwise thereof which provide a proper linear elastic resilience for allowing the bladder balloon and the urethral anchoring cuff balloon to be separated a substantial distance for impinging against what remains of a prostate gland (20, 28, 32).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for placement of a tubular body in the urethra. The tubular body includes a proximal portion adapted for placement toward a bladder end and bladder neck end of the urethra and a distal portion opposite from the proximal portion. A sensor component located on the tubular body is responsive to a feature of the urethra and outputs a first signal indicating proper placement of the proximal portion of the tubular body relative to the bladder and bladder neck. Preferably, an insertion tool is used during positioning of the urethral apparatus. The insertion tool is coupled to the distal end of the urethral apparatus and is used to push the urethral apparatus proximally in the urethra. The first signal can be transmitted from the urethral apparatus through the insertion tool from which it is perceivable by the person positioning the urethral device.