Frederick A Karl

US Patent:

6896650, May 24, 2005

Filed:

Jun 27, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/183698

Inventors:

Michael R. Tracey - Branchburg NJ, US
Martin Nohilly - Murray Hill NJ, US
Hanspeter R. Bayer - Meriden CT, US
Frederick T. Karl - Newtown CT, US

Assignee:

Ethicon Inc. - Somerville NJ

International Classification:

A61F002/00
A61F005/44

US Classification:

600 29, 604328

Abstract:

An insertion device is provided for use in assessing urinary function. The insert device includes an insert member for at least partial insertion into a patient's urethral canal having a length such that it is positioned distal of the urethral sphincter, and having an outer surface at least a portion of which is configured to engage the inner wall of the urethra to substantially prevent fluid flow therebetween. The insert member has a channel therethrough through which fluid from a fluid source can be introduced into the urethral canal. Also provided is a device for introducing fluid into a patient's urethral canal including a hand-sized casing having a fluid conduit therein between a fluid inlet and a fluid source assembly. The device further includes an activation device movable between a first position wherein it does not obstruct the fluid conduit and a second position wherein it does obstruct the fluid conduit. An insert member is coupled to a distal end of the hand-sized casing and has a channel therethrough between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, and is dimensioned for at least partial insertion into the patient's urethral canal distal of the urethral sphincter.

US Patent:

7056288, Jun 6, 2006

Filed:

Jun 27, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/183075

Inventors:

Michael R. Tracey - Branchburg NJ, US
Frederick T. Karl - Newtown CT, US

Assignee:

Ethicon Inc. - Somerville NJ

International Classification:

A61B 1/32

US Classification:

600221

Abstract:

A vaginal speculum assembly is provided including an upper arm and a lower arm movably coupled to one another by a coupling member positioned at a posterior end. Each of the upper and lower arms are dimensioned for at least partial insertion into a patient's vagina, and when so inserted, are dimensioned to exert pressure on at least upper and lower portions of an inner surface of the patient's vaginal wall. The coupling member permits movement of the upper and lower arms relative to one another to adjust their positioning relative to the vaginal wall. The assembly further includes a locking device coupled to at least one of the upper and lower arms which, when activated, substantially prevents movement of the upper and lower arms relative to one another. A connector member extends outwardly from a posterior end of the upper arm. The connector member is configured to engage a predetermined portion of an insert device assembly including an insert member to be inserted into the patient's urethral canal, to thereby maintain the insert device assembly in position relative to the vaginal speculum assembly.