Urethral profiling device & methodology
A urethral profile apparatus, assembly and appurtenant methodology is provided. The apparatus includes an elongate member having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end including a probe. The probe is selectively positionable within a urethral passageway by axial translation of the elongate member via the distal end, with the probe dimensioned so as to indicate constrictures of the urethral passageway.
1 . A urethral profile apparatus comprising an elongate member having proximal and distal ends, said proximal end including a probe, said probe being selectively positionable within a urethral passageway by axial translation of said elongate member via said distal end, said probe dimensioned so as to indicate constrictures of the urethral passageway.
2 . The urethral profile apparatus of claim 1 wherein said probe is adapted to be received upon a catheter, said probe being axially translatable along a segment of the catheter.
3 . The urethral profile apparatus of claim 2 wherein said probe is rigidly dimensioned.
4 . The urethral profile apparatus of claim 2 wherein said probe is resiliently responsive to constrictures of the urethral passageway.
5 . The urethral profile apparatus of claim 4 wherein said probe comprises a reversibly expandable element.
6 . The urethral profile apparatus of claim 5 wherein said reversibly expandable element is circumferentially disposable about an exterior surface of the catheter for sliding engagement therewith.
7 . The urethral profile apparatus of claim 5 wherein said reversibly expandable element is in fluid communication with said elongate member.
8 . The urethral profile apparatus of claim 5 wherein said reversibly expandable element is in fluid communication with said distal end of said elongate member.
9 . The urethral profile apparatus of claim 4 wherein said proximal end of said elongate member comprises a tubular element.
10 . The urethral profile apparatus of claim 9 wherein said probe is integral to said tubular element.
11 . The urethral profile apparatus of claim 10 wherein said probe comprises a portion of a free end of said tubular element.
12 . The urethral profile apparatus of claim 11 wherein said probe comprises an enlarged end portion of said tubular element.
13 . The urethral profile apparatus of claim 12 wherein said enlarged end portion is belled.
14 . The urethral profile apparatus of claim 10 wherein said tubular element includes a line of weakness in a wall thereof.
15 . The urethral profile apparatus of claim 11 wherein said tubular element includes a slot in a wall thereof.
16 . The urethral profile apparatus of claim 9 wherein a portion of said elongate member includes graduations upon an exterior surface thereof.
17 . The urethral profile apparatus of claim 10 wherein a portion of said elongate member includes spaced apart indicia on an exterior surface thereof.
18 . The urethral profile apparatus of claim 1 wherein said elongate member is tubular.
19 . The urethral profile apparatus of claim 18 wherein said elongate member is adapted to be fluid filled.
20 . The urethral profile apparatus of claim 19 wherein said elongate member includes at least a single lumen extending between said proximal and said distal ends thereof.
21 - 57 . (canceled)