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Publication Number
US-10478283-B2
Publication Date
2019-11-19
Expiration Date
Abstract
A dilating device for the prostatic urethra comprising: at least three, laterally connected ridges, wherein each ridge is configured to longitudinally engage with a different substantially longitudinal groove of the prostatic urethra of a patient, and wherein the at least three laterally connected ridges are configured to laterally compress to enable insertion into the prostatic urethra in a compressed configuration, and wherein the at least three laterally connected ridges are configured to laterally expand to a normally-open configuration upon deployment within the prostatic urethra, to exert a radially outwards force that dilates the prostatic urethra.
Core Innovation
The invention is a dilating device for dilating a prostatic urethra. The device includes a central ridge longitudinally oriented and positioned on an anterior peripheral edge to engage an anterior inter-lobar groove of the prostatic urethra. The device further includes a first closed form on a first side of the central ridge with a first peripheral ridge forming a postero-lateral edge of the device on that first side, and a second closed form symmetrically positioned on a second side of the central ridge with a postero-lateral second peripheral ridge forming a postero-lateral edge on the second side.
The device is configured to be laterally expandable in the prostatic urethra to a normally-open configuration. In the normally-open configuration, the first peripheral ridge is extended away from the central ridge by a first distal connector connecting distal portions of the first peripheral ridge and the central ridge, and by a first proximal connector connecting proximal portions of the first peripheral ridge and the central ridge. Similarly, the second peripheral ridge is extended away from the central ridge by a second distal connector and a second proximal connector.
In the normally-open configuration, a posterior side of the dilating device is open, and the first peripheral ridge and the second peripheral ridge delimit a posterior opening on opposite lateral sides. Each of the first closed form and the second closed form is laterally compressible to a compressed configuration configured for insertion into the prostatic urethra. The described structure includes engagement of prostatic urethral grooves and a lateral expansion mechanism that dilates the prostatic urethra to allow urine or free fluid passage [procedural detail omitted for safety].
From the background problem context, the invention addresses dilating the prostatic urethra for benign prostate hyperplasia by creating a normally-open configuration with a radially outward force derived from laterally expandable ridges that engage longitudinal prostatic urethral grooves. Additional disclosed elements include connector and positioning geometry to facilitate alignment and to prevent migration at the bladder neck region, and construction using materials such as wire, cut foil, super-elastic alloy, super-elastic polymer, or biodegradable polymer [procedural detail omitted for safety].
Claims Coverage
The partial content provides one independent claim (clm-00001). The inventive features center on a specific symmetric ridge-and-closed-form structure that expands laterally from a compressed configuration to a normally-open configuration with a posterior opening defined by peripheral ridges and connector-defined distal lateral edges, while maintaining groove engagement and compressibility for insertion.
Longitudinal central ridge engaging anterior inter-lobar groove
A central ridge longitudinally oriented and positioned on an anterior peripheral edge of the dilating device to engage an anterior inter-lobar groove of the prostatic urethra.
Symmetric first and second closed forms with peripheral postero-lateral ridges
A first closed form positioned on a first side of the central ridge including a first peripheral ridge forming a postero-lateral edge on said first side; and a second closed form symmetrically positioned on a second side laterally opposite said first side, including a postero-lateral second peripheral ridge forming a postero-lateral edge on said second side.
Lateral expansion to normally-open configuration via proximal and distal connectors
A configuration where the dilating device is laterally expandable in the prostatic urethra to a normally-open configuration, in which the first peripheral ridge is extended away from the central ridge by a first distal connector and a first proximal connector, and the second peripheral ridge is extended away from the central ridge by a second distal connector and a second proximal connector.
Posterior opening in normally-open configuration with distal lateral edges
The first distal connector and said second distal connector form lateral edges of a distal cross section of the dilating device, with their anterior ends connected to the central ridge, and wherein in the normally-open configuration a posterior side of the dilating device is open, with the first peripheral ridge and the second peripheral ridge delimiting edges of the posterior opening on opposite lateral sides.
Compression for insertion of closed forms
Each of said first closed form and said second closed form is laterally compressible to a compressed configuration configured for insertion into the prostatic urethra.
Across the provided independent claim, the claim coverage is focused on a symmetric central-ridge/closed-form arrangement that engages specific prostatic urethral grooves and expands laterally to a normally-open configuration with an open posterior side defined by peripheral ridges, using proximal and distal connectors and maintaining lateral compressibility for insertion.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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