Device for maintaining urinary continence

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a prosthetic urethral valve assembly.
The valve assembly includes a tubular body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a central lumen extending therethrough.
Attached to the proximal end of the tubular body is a first anchor.
The first anchor conforms to a portion of the base of the bladder so that the prosthetic urethral valve assembly remains properly located relative to the bladder and the urethra.
The valve assembly also includes a second anchor, which is attached to the tubular body at a point between the proximal end and the distal end of the tubular body.
The second anchor lies within the urethra and helps to anchor the valve assembly therein.
The valve assembly also includes a valve, which can be located within the lumen of the tubular body between the proximal end and the distal end of the tubular body.
When positioned in the patient, the distal end of the tubular body is disposed in the midurethra, such as between the internal urethral sphincter and the external urethral sphincter so that the opening pressure of the valve varies in response to changes in physiologic parameters.
Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of maintaining urinary continence in a patient.
The method includes positioning the prosthetic urethral valve assembly of the present invention in a patient so that the distal end of the tubular body and preferably the valve lie in the midurethra, such as between the internal urethral sphincter and the external urethral sphincter so that the opening pressure of the valve varies in response to changes in physiologic parameters.
Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of varying the opening pressure of a prosthetic urethral valve in response to changes in abdominal pressure.
The method includes providing a prosthetic urethral valve having a proximal end, a distal end, and a valved flow path therebetween.
The valve is positioned in a patient within the flow path between the bladder and the outside of the patient