Apparatus for controlling flow in a bodily organ
An apparatus for controlling the flow of urine in a urethra of a patient is disclosed, comprising an implantable adjustable constriction device for constricting the urethra to influence the flow in the urinary tract, a control device for controlling the constriction device, an operation device for operating the constriction device to change the constriction of the urethra, an energy source for supplying energy for the operation device, and an internal control unit connected to an internal signal transmitter. The internal control unit is arranged to receive measurements related to a current state of the energy source measured on a regular basis and arranged to transmit a control signal reflecting at least a portion of the received measurements to an external signal receiver connected to an external control unit comprised in the control unit.
1 . An apparatus for controlling the flow of urine in a urethra of a patient, comprising:
an implantable adjustable constriction device for constricting the urethra to influence the flow in the urinary tract;
a control system comprising an internal control unit and an external control unit, wherein the external control unit is configured to communicate instructions to the internal control unit, and the internal control unit is configured to control the constriction device to constrict the urethra or to release a constriction of the urethra; and
an operation device for operating the constriction device to change the constriction of the urethra;
an energy source for supplying energy for the operation device and the internal control unit; wherein
the internal control unit is connected to an internal signal transmitter, the internal control unit arranged to directly receive measurements related to a current state of the energy source measured on a regular basis and storing information on the current state of the energy source in an internal control unit storage, updating the stored information as new measurements are made, and further arranged to directly transmit a signal reflecting at least a portion of the received measurements to an external signal receiver connected to the external control unit.
2 . The apparatus according to claim 1 ,
wherein the constriction device comprises a plurality of separate non-inflatable constriction elements configured to independently constrict and/or release a respective wall portion of a series of wall portions of the urethra; and
wherein each constriction element has an elongated constriction member and a forming means for forming the constriction member into at least a substantially closed loop around the urethra, wherein the loop defines a constriction opening, and
wherein the operation device is configured to operate the constriction member in the loop form to change a size of the constriction opening.
3 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the elongated constriction member comprises a belt and the operation device operates the belt to change the longitudinal extension of the belt in the loop to change a size of the constriction opening.
4 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the constriction elements are mechanically operable.
5 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the operation device includes a servo system which comprises a servo mechanism configured to transfer a weak force acting on a moving element having a long stroke into a strong force acting on another moving element having a short stroke, the long stroke being longer that the short stroke and the strong force being larger than the weak force.
6 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the external control unit is configured to control the constriction device from outside a body of the patient.
7 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the external control unit comprises a remote control operable by the patient and wherein the remote control is configured to control the constriction of the wall portion wirelessly.
8 . The apparatus according to claim 6 or 7 , wherein the remote control comprises a signal transmitter or transceiver, and wherein the apparatus further comprises an internal signal receiver or transceiver implantable in the patient.