APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING FLOW IN A BODILY ORGAN

Abstract

An apparatus for controlling a flow of urine in a urethra of a patient is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an implantable constriction device for constricting the urethra to influence the flow in the urinary tract, comprising a plurality of clamping elements configured to be arranged in a common plane intersecting the urethra and to be radially movable towards and away from a central axis of the urethra. The apparatus further comprises an operation device configured to operate the clamping elements, and an implantable motor configured to operate the operation device. The operation device is configured to operate the movement of the clamping elements such that the movement is predominantly inelastic, and such that a clamping force, acting on the urethra, is distributed between the clamping elements.

Claims

1-1192. (canceled)

1193. An apparatus for controlling a flow of urine in a urethra of a patient, comprising: an implantable constriction device for constricting the urethra to influence the flow in the urinary tract, the constriction device comprising a plurality of clamping elements configured to be arranged in a common plane intersecting the urethra and to be radially movable towards and away from a central axis of the urethra to change a constriction of the urethra; an operation device configured to operate the movement of the clamping elements; an implantable motor configured to operate the operation device; and a gear box configured to transfer a force generated by the motor into a force operating the operation device; wherein the operation device is configured to operate the movement of the clamping elements such that the movement is predominantly inelastic, and such that a clamping force, acting on the urethra, is distributed between the clamping elements.

1194. The apparatus according to claim 1193, wherein the clamping force, acting on the urethra, is distributed substantially evenly between the clamping elements.

1195. The apparatus according to claim 1193 or 1194, wherein the plurality of clamping elements comprises a first and a second clamping element configured to be arranged at least one of 120.degree. and 180.degree. apart along the circumference.

1196. The apparatus according to claim 1193 or 1194, wherein the operation device is configured to cause the constriction device to assume a constricted state in which the flow of urine in the urethra is hindered, and a released state in which the urine is allowed to flow through the urethra.

1197. The apparatus according to claim 1193 or 1194, wherein the operation device is configured to be coupled to each of the clamping elements so as to transmit the clamping force pushing the clamping elements towards the central axis.

1198. The apparatus according to claim 1193 or 1194, wherein the operation device is configured to distribute the clamping force between the clamping elements such that the flow of urine the urethra is constricted while allowing the blood circulation in a wall of the constricted portion of the urethra to be substantially unrestricted.

1199. 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; an operation device for operating the constriction device to change the constriction of the urethra; a control device for controlling the operation device, wherein the control device is configured to: control the operation device to constrict the urethra, and control the operation device to release the urethra; and an energy source for supplying energy to the operation device; wherein the control device is configured to determine the current state of the energy source, and wherein the control unit is connected to an internal signal transmitter configured to transmit information related to the current state of the energy source.

1200. The apparatus according to claim 1199, wherein the energy source comprises a battery.

1201. The apparatus according to claim 1200, wherein the battery is at least one of a rechargeable battery and a capacitor.

1202. The apparatus according to claim 1199 or 1200, wherein the control device is configured to measure a parameter related to a voltage of the energy source to determine the current state of the energy source.

1203. The apparatus according to claim 1199 or 1200, wherein the control device is configured to measure a parameter related to the energy consumption to determine the current state of the energy source.

1204. The apparatus according to claim 1199 or 1200, wherein the control device is configured to measure a parameter related to the temperature of the energy source to determine the current state of the energy source.

1205. The apparatus according to claim 1199 or 1200, wherein the control device is arranged to store measurements related to a current state of the energy source.

1206. The apparatus according to claim 1205, wherein the control device is arranged to transmit a control signal reflecting at least a portion of the stored measurements.

1207. The apparatus according to claim 1199 or 1200, wherein the control device is arranged to measure a current state of the energy source on a regular basis.

1208. 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 device for controlling the constriction device, wherein the control device 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; and an energy source for supplying energy for the operation device; wherein the control device comprises a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature of the apparatus or a temperature of the patient.

1209. The apparatus according to claim 1208, wherein the control device further comprises an internal signal transmitter arranged to transmit a signal based on the temperature measurements.

1210. The apparatus according to claim 1209, wherein the internal signal transmitter is arranged to transmit the signal to an external signal receiver.

1211. The apparatus according to any of claim 1208 or 1209, wherein the temperature sensor is configured to measure the temperature on a regular basis, and wherein the control device is configured to store the measured values.

1212. The apparatus according to claim 1208 or 1209, wherein the control device further comprises an implantable sensor configured to sense a physical parameter, and wherein the control device is adapted to produce an indication in response to the sensor sensing the physical parameter.