Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

An implantable, percutaneously accessed blood flow and occlusion pressure sensing sphincteric system including an inflatable occlusion cuff to surround a patient's urethra for occluding and relaxing the urethra to produce lumenal coaptation for the treatment of urinary incontinence. The occlusion cuff is electro-fluidically interconnected to a hyponometer by way of electro-fluidic coupling, a coaxial, electrically conductive hypodermic needle, and a fluid pressure regulating and control chamber. Thus, the occlusion cuff can be percutaneously and variably infused with a precisely measured supply of fluid from the hyponometer for inflating the cuff and thereby increasing the application of occlusive pressure to the urethra. The occlusion cuff is provided with a transducing element, so that the patient's arteriovascular blood pulses through the urethra can be remotely monitored at the hyponometer to enable the physician to receive a visual and/or audible indication when blood flow through the patient's urethra is compromised as a consequence of applying excessive occlusive pressure to the urethra. Hence, the risks of ischemia and necrosis, as an undesirable result of overpressurizing the occlusion cuff, can be minimized.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim