Method for controlling flow of urine in a patient's urethra, ureter, renal pelvis or bladder

Abstract

An apparatus for controlling flow of urine in a patient suffering from urinary incontinence comprises an implantable constriction device for gently constricting (i.e. without substantially hampering the blood circulation in the tissue wall of the urethra, ureter, renal pelvis or bladder) at least one portion of the tissue wall of the urethra, ureter, renal pelvis or bladder to influence the flow of urine, and a stimulation device for stimulating the wall portion of the tissue wall. A control device controls the stimulation device to stimulate the wall portion, as the constriction device constricts the wall portion, to cause contraction of the wall portion constricted by the constriction device to further influence the flow of urine. The apparatus can be used for restricting or stopping the flow of urine, or for actively moving the urine in the urinary passageway, with a low risk of injuring the urethra, ureter, renal pelvis or bladder.

1 .- 296 . (canceled) 
     
     
         297 . An apparatus for controlling the flow of urine in the urethra, ureter, penal pelvis or bladder of a patient, the apparatus comprising:
 an implantable adjustable constriction device having an elongated constriction member for gently constricting at least one portion of the tissue wall of the patient's urethra, ureter, renal pelvis or urine bladder to influence the flow of urine;   an operation device for mechanically operating the elongated constriction member to change the constriction of the patient's wall portion of the urethra, ureter, renal pelvis or urine bladder, wherein said operation device comprises
 an electric motor; 
 at least one selected from a drive wheel and gear box, wherein said motor is operatively connected to said constriction device via said drive wheel and/or gear box; and 
 a power supply unit comprising a battery adapted to power said motor; 
 wherein said apparatus further comprises 
 at least one sensor configured to sense the performance of the electric motor. 
   
     
     
         298 . The apparatus according to  claim 297 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a control device configured to control the operation of the operating device, wherein the control device is adapted to control the operation device to operate the constriction device in response to signals from the sensor. 
     
     
         299 . The apparatus according to  claim 297 , wherein the apparatus comprises an outer surface comprising a biocompatible material. 
     
     
         300 . The apparatus according to  claim 298 , wherein said control device is adapted to be positioned on the outside of the patient's body. 
     
     
         301 . The apparatus according to  claim 297 , wherein the elongated constriction member comprises a substantially circular restriction opening configured to be positioned around a patient's urethra. 
     
     
         302 . The apparatus according to  claim 301 , wherein the circular restriction opening comprises an circular resilient core having two overlapping end portions, wherein at least part of said resilient core is enclosed in an elastic, soft hose. 
     
     
         303 . The apparatus according to  claim 302 , wherein the control device controls the constriction device in a first mode to constrict the constricted wall portion to stop the flow of urine and controls the constriction device in a second mode to cease the constriction of the wall portion to restore flow of urine. 
     
     
         304 . The apparatus according to  claim 303 , wherein the apparatus comprises a drive wheel, wherein the control device is configured to control the power supply unit to supply power to the electric motor to turn the drive wheel in one direction to reduce the diameter of the core, so that the wall portion is constricted, or to turn the drive wheel in the opposite direction to increase the diameter of the core, so that the wall portion is released. 
     
     
         305 . The apparatus according to  claim 297 , further comprising a servo system 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. 
     
     
         306 . The apparatus according to  claim 297 , wherein said apparatus further comprises a stimulation device for stimulating the wall portion of the tissue wall. 
     
     
         307 . An apparatus for controlling the flow of urine in the urethra, ureter, penal pelvis or bladder of a patient, the apparatus comprising:
 an implantable adjustable constriction device having an elongated constriction member for gently constricting at least one portion of the tissue wall of the patient's urethra, ureter, renal pelvis or urine bladder to influence the flow of urine;   an operation device for mechanically operating the elongated constriction member to change the constriction of the patient's wall portion of the urethra, ureter, renal pelvis or urine bladder, wherein said operation device comprises
 an electric motor; 
 at least one selected from a drive wheel and a servo system comprising a gear box, wherein said drive wheel and/or servo system comprising a gear box is configured to transfer force between the motor and the elongated constriction device; and 
 a power supply unit comprising a battery adapted to power said motor; 
   wherein said apparatus further comprises at least one sensor configured to sense at least one electrical parameter of the at least one implanted electrical component of the apparatus.   
     
     
         308 . The apparatus according to  claim 307 , wherein the electrical parameter is related to a current state of the battery. 
     
     
         309 . The apparatus according to  claim 308 , wherein the electrical parameter is one selected from energy consumption, voltage and temperature. 
     
     
         310 . The apparatus according to  claim 309 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a control device configured to control the operation of the operating device, wherein the control device is adapted to control the operation device to operate the constriction device in response to signals from the sensor. 
     
     
         311 . The apparatus according to  claim 307 , wherein the apparatus comprises an outer surface comprising a biocompatible material. 
     
     
         312 . The apparatus according to  claim 307 , wherein the elongated constriction member comprises a substantially circular restriction opening configured to be positioned around a patient's urethra. 
     
     
         313 . The apparatus according to  claim 307 , wherein the control device controls the constriction device in a first mode to constrict the constricted wall portion to stop the flow of urine and controls the constriction device in a second mode to cease the constriction of the wall portion to restore flow of urine. 
     
     
         314 . The apparatus according to  claim 313 , wherein the apparatus comprises a drive wheel, wherein the control device is configured to control the power supply unit to supply power to the electric motor to turn the drive wheel in one direction to reduce the diameter of the circular restriction opening, so that the wall portion is constricted, or to turn the drive wheel in the opposite direction to increase the diameter of the circular restriction opening, so that the wall portion is released. 
     
     
         315 . The apparatus according to  claim 307 , further comprising a servo system 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. 
     
     
         316 . The apparatus according to  claim 307 , wherein said apparatus further comprises a stimulation device for stimulating the wall portion of the tissue wall.