Device for the prevention of urinary incontinence in humans

1 . A device ( 1 ) for the prevention of urinary incontinence in humans, with an elongate expandable balloon ( 8 ) made of elastic material and with a flat band ( 2 ) which extends in the longitudinal direction of the balloon, is made of textile material, and is connected to the balloon ( 8 ) in a planar manner, wherein, in the area of the balloon, the band ( 2 ) of textile material is embedded in the elastic material of the balloon on all sides.

2 . The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the balloon ( 8 ) has roughly the shape of a flat hollow rectangular parallelepiped, with a thin and elastically extensible wall on one side and with a thicker wall ( 12 ) on the other side, and wherein the band ( 2 ) is embedded in the thicker wall.

3 . The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the band ( 2 ) is a formed-loop knit band ( 2 ) of monofilament threads.

4 . The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the embedding of the band ( 2 ) protrudes in the form of elastic extensions ( 13 ) beyond both ends of the balloon ( 8 ).

5 . The device as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the length of the extensions ( 13 ) is of the order of the width of the band.

6 . The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the band ( 2 ) is designed as an open-pore lattice.

7 . The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a thicker wall ( 12 ) of the balloon is not extensible in the longitudinal direction by the band ( 2 ).

8 . The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the elastic material of the balloon ( 8 ) is transparent.

9 . The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the balloon interior is connected to a flexible fluid conduit ( 10 ), which opens at one end of the balloon into a narrow longitudinal side ( 9 ) of the balloon.

10 . The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the band ( 2 ) has securing means ( 4 ; 18 ) at its free ends.

11 . The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the band ( 2 ) has loop-shaped textile adhesive fasteners ( 18 ) at its ends ( 3 ).

12 . A device for the prevention of urinary incontinence in humans, with an expandable balloon made of elastic material and with a band connected to the balloon, in particular as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the balloon ( 8 ), at least on one wall side intended to bear on the urethra, is provided with a soft and/or porous padding material ( 20 ) into which cells are able to grow.

13 . The device as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the padding material ( 20 ) is soft and porous.

14 . The device as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the padding material is absorbable.

15 . The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein at least the outer surface of the materials is provided with active substances.

16 . The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein substances that promote wound healing are provided on the surface of the balloon.

17 . The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the elastic material of the balloon has, on its surface, reactive sites that are able to form ionic and/or covalent bonds with active substances.

18 . A device for the prevention of urinary incontinence in humans, with an expandable balloon made of elastic material and with a band connected to the balloon, in particular as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the balloon ( 8 ), at least on one wall side intended to bear on the urethra, is provided with a soft and/or porous padding material ( 20 ) into which cells are able to grow.

19 . The device as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the padding material is absorbable.

20 . The device as claimed in claim 16 , wherein the elastic material of the balloon has, on its surface, reactive sites that are able to form ionic and/or covalent bonds with active substances.

21 . The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the elastic material of the balloon ( 8 ) is colorless.

22 . The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein at least the outer surface of the materials is provided with an antimicrobial agent.