A urinary tract valve includes an expandable valve element positionable within a bladder of a patient via a urinary tract of the patient in a collapsed configuration. The expandable valve element is configured to transition from the collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration after being positioned within the bladder of the patient. The expandable valve element includes a ferromagnetic element that facilitates selective control of the expandable valve element with a magnetic field between an open position and a closed position when positioned within the bladder of the patient. In the closed position, the expandable valve element is configured to seal an internal urethral opening of the patient. In the open position, the expandable valve element is configured to allow urine to pass from the bladder of the patient, through an internal urethral opening of the patient and into a urethra of the patient.

An artificial sphincter to be implanted in a urethra, for treating patients suffering from urinary incontinence, includes a container configured to be connected to a wall of a urethra, inside or outside it, a valve unit housed within the container and configured to move from a release configuration to a block configuration and vice-versa. An actuation magnet is movably (rotatably or slidably) arranged between a first and a second position in the container, and is connected to the valve unit such that a predetermined (rotation or translation) movement of the actuation magnet from a first towards a second position, or from the second towards the first position, under the effect of an external manoeuvre magnet, brings the valve unit from the release configuration to the block configuration, where the valve is stably maintained, and from the block configuration to the release configuration, where the valve is stably maintained.

A urinary tract valve includes an expandable valve element positionable within a bladder of a patient via a urinary tract of the patient in a collapsed configuration. The expandable valve element is configured to transition from the collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration after being positioned within the bladder of the patient. The expandable valve element includes a ferromagnetic element that facilitates selective control of the expandable valve element with a magnetic field between an open position and a closed position when positioned within the bladder of the patient. In the closed position, the expandable valve element is configured to seal an internal urethral opening of the patient. In the open position, the expandable valve element is configured to allow urine to pass from the bladder of the patient, through an internal urethral opening of the patient and into a urethra of the patient.

The present invention relates to the application of medical devices that manage urinary incontinence. The inter-bladder/urethra implanted device allows for passive urine leakage above a threshold bladder pressure and subject-controlled opening and closing of a valve to allow urine passage, below the threshold bladder pressure. The valve is preferably a deformable sac which seals against the interior of the urethra when closed. The valve can be opened by withdrawing slightly from the urethra surface. Passive urine leakage to prevent over-pressure can be facilitated by including external channels on the valve sac. In another embodiment, the valve sac has a central passage which expands and contracts for opening and closing, respectively.

Disclosed is a bladder drainage apparatus comprising a tube including a hollow interior extending through the tube, a flexible anchor, which behaves spring-like, connected to or at one end of the tube, and a magnetic member connected to or at the other end of the tube. The tube is moveable when the magnetic member is engaged by an external magnetic force, creating magnetic traction, and moving the tube, e.g., outward (from its original position, where the sphincter is typically closed), such that it holds open a sphincter, allowing urine to drain from the bladder, to the urethra, to outside of the body. When the external magnetic force is released, the magnetic engagement is terminated, and the force of the flexible anchor pulls the tube back to its original position, whereby the sphincter is again closed, and accordingly urine flow is stopped or otherwise limited.

An intraurethral magnetic valve having an inlet port and an outlet port, the valve including: a valve main body; a ferromagnetic ring located at least partially within the valve main body; a valve seat; and a magnetic valve element located within an internal volume defined by the valve main body and configured for movement with respect to the ferromagnetic ring, that movement being within the valve main body between a closed configuration in which fluid is inhibited from flowing from the inlet port through the outlet port and an open configuration in which fluid is permitted to flow from the inlet port through the outlet port, movement of the magnetic valve element being on exposure to a magnetic field from an external magnet member, wherein the valve seat is formed from an elastomer material.

An artificial sphincter and method closing the artificial sphincter includes a plurality of bodies, a plurality of links, a coupling body, and a coupling assembly. The plurality of bodies each have respective magnets and are arranged from a first terminal body to a second terminal body. The plurality of links respectively resiliently extend and connect between the plurality of bodies. The coupling body has a first end segment and a second end segment respectively connected to a first terminal link and a second terminal link respectively extending from the first and second end segments. The coupling assembly has a clasp configured to close to form a closed loop and a coupling guide configured to be manipulated to thereby orient portions of the clasp to a predetermined orientation for connection in the connected state.

An artificial urethral sphincter. The artificial urethral sphincter includes a cuff member, a hollow cylinder, a spring, and a cable. The cuff member includes a first layer and a second layer which define an internal pocket between the first layer and the second layer. The cuff member is configured to encircle a urethra of a patient when the cuff ember is wrapped around the urethra of the patient. The hollow cylinder is configured to be disposed inside the patient's body. The spring is disposed inside the hollow cylinder. A first part of the cable is disposed inside the internal pocket. The first part of the cable is configured to block the urethra of the patient through gripping the urethra of the patient when the first part of the cable is pulled out of the internal pocket. The first part of the cable is configured to unblock the urethra of the patient by releasing the urethra of the patient when the second end of the spring is pulled toward the first end of the hollow cylinder.

An artificial sphincter to be implanted in a urethra, for treating patients suffering from urinary incontinence, includes a container configured to be connected to a wall of a urethra, inside or outside it, a valve unit housed within the container and configured to move from a release configuration to a block configuration and vice-versa. An actuation magnet is movably (rotatably or slidably) arranged between a first and a second position in the container, and is connected to the valve unit such that a predetermined (rotation or translation) movement of the actuation magnet from a first towards a second position, or from the second towards the first position, under the effect of an external manoeuvre magnet, brings the valve unit from the release configuration to the block configuration, where the valve is stably maintained, and from the block configuration to the release configuration, where the valve is stably maintained.

Devices, system and methods for deforming body channels are disclosed herein. At least some embodiments described may be used to deform a body channel so as to decrease or prevent the normal intrachannel flow of material within the body channel. Such deformation may be used to treat such maladies as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.