Draining bodily fluid
View Patent ↗A urethral prosthesis with prostatic and bulbar segments connected by two types of ties allows the prosthesis to assume at least two configurations different with inter-segmental distances adapted to situations where the patient either has or does not have normal control of the external sphincter. This is particularly useful for a patient undergoing an anesthetic procedure that affects the external sphincter muscles. When the muscles are anesthetized, the prosthesis may provide constant urine voiding, and when the anesthetic effects wear off, the prosthesis may assume a different configuration to allow the sphincter to reassert control over urinary voiding.
1. A prosthesis for insertion into a patient's urethra, comprising:
(a) a first segment including a distal portion comprising a distal opening, and a proximal portion comprising a proximal opening, the first segment defining a lumen extending therebetween;
(b) a second segment including a distal portion comprising a distal opening, and a proximal portion comprising a proximal opening, the second segment defining a lumen extending therebetween;
(c) an operator-adjustable first tie connecting the proximal portion of the first segment and the distal portion of the second segment, the first tie forming at least one loop; and
(d) a fixed length second tie connecting the proximal portion of the first segment and the distal portion of the second segment.
2. The prosthesis of claim 1 , wherein the first tie is adjustable to adopt a compact configuration, positioning the proximal portion of the first segment in direct contact with the distal portion of the second segment.
3. The prosthesis of claim 1 , wherein the first tie is adjustable to adopt an extended configuration, in which a distance between the first and second segments permits insertion of an object between the two segments such that the object intercepts fluid communication between the lumens of the first and second segments.
4. The prosthesis of claim 3 , wherein the distance between the first and second segments permits operation of an external sphincter muscle.
5. The prosthesis of claim 1 , wherein the first tie comprises a thread with two ends.
6. The prosthesis of claim 5 , wherein the two ends of the thread are connected.
7. The prosthesis of claim 6 , wherein the ends of the thread are knotted together.
8. The prosthesis of claim 6 , wherein the length of the second tie sets a maximum value for the distance between the first and second segments.
9. The prosthesis of claim 8 , wherein the maximum value for the distance between the first and second segments permits insertion of an object between the two segments such that the object intercepts fluid communication between the lumens of the first and second segments.
10. The prosthesis of claim 9 , wherein the maximum value for the distance between the first and second segments permits operation of an external sphincter muscle.
11. The prosthesis of claim 5 , wherein the two ends of the thread are not connected.
12. The prosthesis of claim 5 , wherein the thread forms a one-and-a-half loop between the proximal portion of the first segment and the distal portion of the second segment.
13. The prosthesis of claim 1 , wherein the first segment further comprises an inflatable balloon.
14. The prosthesis of claim 1 , wherein the distal portion of the first segment further comprises a coudé tip.
15. The prosthesis of claim 1 , wherein the first and second segments comprise a biocompatible material.
16. The prosthesis of claim 15 , wherein the biocompatible material comprises silicone.
17. The prosthesis of claim 1 , further comprising a retrieval piece connected to the second segment.
18. The prosthesis of claim 17 , wherein the retrieval piece comprises a thread.
19. The prosthesis of claim 1 , wherein the length of the second tie is less than the length of the first tie.
20. The prosthesis of claim 1 , further comprising a first connection aperture located at the proximal portion of the first segment and a second connection aperture located at the distal portion of the second segment.
21. The prosthesis of claim 20 , wherein at least one of the first tie and the second tie connects the proximal portion of the first segment and the distal portion of the second segment via the first and second connection apertures.