Patient-adjustable incontinence device (aid)

Abstract

A patient-adjustable device and surgical method for the treatment of urinary incontinence is disclosed herein. More specifically, the device is a mesh surrounded pillow which is implanted near the attachment of the urethra to the bladder, or mid to distal urethra which can be controlled by the patient. The fullness of the pillow can be controlled by the patient using two pressure-sensitive controls under the skin.

1 . A patient-adjustable urinary incontinence device, comprising:
 a pillow;   a reservoir, wherein the reservoir is in fluid communication with the pillow; and   a control mechanism which allows the patient to add and remove fluid from said pillow and said reservoir.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said control mechanism comprises a valve for addition and removal of said fluid from the urinary continence device. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said control mechanism comprises check valves. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said control mechanism comprises a series of valves. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein said valves comprise duckbill valves. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said control mechanism comprises a bulb. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said control mechanism comprises a pump. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said pillow is manufactured of a resilient material. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said reservoir is manufactured of a non-resilient material. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said control mechanism is activatable by radiowaves, soundwaves, touch, pressure, or temperature. 
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said control mechanism is just under the skin. 
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a remote control element. 
   
   
       13 . A method of controlling urinary incontinence, comprising:
 providing a device comprising a pillow and a control element just under the skin, wherein said pillow is located near the urethra;   adjusting the pressure applied by said pillow by activating said control element through the skin.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said control element comprises a valve. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said control element comprises a bulb. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said control element comprises a pump. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said control element comprises a one-way valve directed contrary to the flow direction. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said control element comprises a series of valves. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said control element is activatable by radiowaves, soundwaves, touch, pressure, or temperature. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a remote control device. 
   
   
       21 . A patient-adjustable urinary incontinence device, comprising:
 a pillow;   a patient-adjustable valve for draining the pillow; and   a patient-adjustable pump for filling the pillow.   
   
   
       22 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein said pump is a reservoir. 
   
   
       23 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein said pillow is resilient. 
   
   
       24 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein said reservoir is resilient. 
   
   
       25 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein said pump comprises a bulb. 
   
   
       26 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein said pump comprises a series of valves. 
   
   
       27 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein said valve comprises a one-way valve directed contrary to the flow direction. 
   
   
       28 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein said pump is just under the skin. 
   
   
       29 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein said valve is just under the skin. 
   
   
       30 . The device of  claim 19 , further comprising a remote control device. 
   
   
       31 . A patient-adjustable remote controlled urinary incontinence device, comprising:
 an apparatus within the body of a patient to control urine flow; and   a remote controlled device positioned outside the body of the patient and not physically attached to the apparatus to control urine flow.