CN1259030A - A transurethral device - Google Patents

Abstract

A transurethral device (10; 110) includes a transurethral insertion member (1; 101) having an elongated rod (9; 109) with a free tip (11; 111), the tip of which is insertable into the urethra of a human or animal body, for example, into the urethra of an impotent man or into an animal body, to inject an impotence treatment drug. To facilitate insertion of at least the tip of the elongated rod into the urethra, the device further includes a lubrication device (29; 130) for lubricating at least a portion of the outer surface of the tip of the elongated rod. The device may also include a cover (7; 107) that removably covers the tip of the elongated rod before insertion into the human or animal body.

Description

A transurethral device

The present invention relates to a transurethral device comprising a transurethral insertion member having an elongated shaft having a free front end for insertion into the urethra of a human or animal body, in particular (but not limited to ) relates to a transurethral device of the aforementioned type for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, such as impotence, priapism, Peyronie's disease, etc., in the male or animal body. The invention also relates to a cover for covering a transurethral insertion component.

Impotence in men is the inability of a man to get an erection or keep it erect for satisfactory sexual intercourse. There are many proven causes of impotence. For example, impotence is caused by disturbances in the blood supply, such as insufficient blood flow to the internal arteries of the penis or excessive blood flow from the veins. Priapism is characterized by persistent and often painful erections; Peyronie's disease is characterized by fibrosis of the cavernous tissue of the penis, causing pain and erectile disturbances.

One aspect of the present invention relates to the topical injection of an erectile dysfunction treatment into the urethra for the treatment of erectile dysfunction such as impotence, priapism and Peyronie's disease.

The existing international patent application publications WO95/26158 and WO96/28142 disclose a transurethral device for treating erectile dysfunction such as impotence by injecting a drug for treating erectile dysfunction into the male urethra. These existing transurethral devices include a transurethral insertion member having a drug-retaining member portion, a plunger member portion movable within the drug-retaining portion, and an insertable portion housing the transurethral insertion member the hood.

The medicine containing element part includes an elongated rod part for being inserted into the male urethra, the elongated rod part forms an axially spaced front end and a rear end, and the medicine containing part also includes a connection with the elongated rod part. The hand-held part connected to the rear end. The medicine containing element portion is provided with an open axial bore comprising a rear section having a first width and a front section having a second width less than the first width, wherein the rear section passes through the handle portion , a slender rod passes through the front section. The front section of the axial bore is suitable for holding erectile dysfunction treatment medicine.

The plunger member portion includes an enlarged head and an elongated stem extending forwardly from the enlarged head. The plunger member portion is adapted to be inserted forwardly into a retracted position in the bore in the drug containing member portion. In this position, the enlarged head portion is located in the rear section of the bore, such that the enlarged head rear section protrudes rearwardly from the bore; The free front end of the rod is spaced rearwardly from the erectile dysfunction treatment drug.

The cover of the transurethral device includes an elongated body having axially spaced front and rear faces and having an elongated groove in the body extending forwardly from an open end of the rear face to the rear face and the rear face. A position between the front. The elongated stem portion of the drug containing element portion is removably seated in a recess in the cover to protect the structure of the elongated stem portion from damage and/or contamination prior to insertion into the male urethra.

In use, the user holds the handle portion of the drug containing element portion in the fingers and removes the cover to expose the elongated stem portion of the drug containing element portion. The elongated rod portion of the drug-containing member portion is then inserted into the user's urethra, and the plunger member portion is pushed forward from the retracted position into the drug-containing member portion, causing the free front end of the elongated rod of the plunger member portion to The drug for treating erectile dysfunction is injected forward from the drug containing member portion into the urethra.

While the aforementioned prior art transurethral devices are effective for local infusion of erectile dysfunction therapy, such as enabling and maintaining a penile erection in the event of impotence, applicants have found that there is room for improvement in this device. In order to facilitate the insertion of the elongated rod portion of the drug containing element portion of the existing transurethral device to be improved, it is suggested that the user urinate before the elongated rod portion of the drug containing element portion is inserted into the urethra, so as to moisten the urethra. Obviously it's not always practical to do this. But leaving this step is obviously painful when inserting the elongated stem portion of the drug containing element portion into the urethra.

Alternatively, the user applies lubricant independently to the outer surface of the elongated shaft of the drug-containing element portion of the transurethral insertion member after removal of the cover. It is also not always convenient and practical to do so, and the lubricant also tends to stick to the user's hands and clothing. More importantly, this added step results in the possibility of contaminating the elongated shaft portion of the drug-retaining element portion of the transurethral insertion component.

The present invention aims to overcome these disadvantages of the transurethral devices known hitherto for this purpose. A first aspect of the present invention is to provide a transurethral device for treating erectile dysfunction in a male or animal body, the device comprising a transurethral insertion member for injecting a therapeutic agent for erectile dysfunction, the transurethral insertion member comprising an elongated rod, the rod has a free front end, and the elongated rod has at least one front section located at the front end, the front end is adapted to be inserted into the urethra of a male or animal body; means for inserting at least the anterior segment of at least the anterior portion of the elongated rod into the urethra, thereby injecting an erectile dysfunction treatment agent into the urethra from the transurethral insertion member; A lubricating device inserted into the urethra of a human or animal body at least in the front.

In an embodiment of the invention to be described later, the transurethral device further comprises a cover for removably covering at least the front section of the elongated shaft of the transurethral insertion member and lubricating means forming part of the cover.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a transurethral device comprising a transurethral insertion member having an elongated shaft having a free front end, and the elongated shaft has at least one front section located at said front end, the front end being adapted to Inserted into the urethra of a human or animal body; said transurethral device further comprising a cover that removably covers at least the anterior portion of the elongated shaft of the transurethral insertion member before it is inserted into the urethra of a male or animal body, on the cover Lubricating means are provided for lubricating at least a portion of the outer surface of at least the front section of the elongated shaft to facilitate insertion of at least the front section of the elongated shaft of the transurethral insertion member into the urethra of the human or animal body.

In one embodiment of the invention, the lubricating means are adapted to lubricate the whole or substantially the whole of at least the front section of the elongated rod.

In an embodiment of the invention which will be described later, the lubricating means is adapted to lubricate the outer surface of at least a part of at least the front section of the elongated rod when it is housed in the housing.

In an embodiment of the invention to be described hereinafter, the shield has a main body with a bore having an open end on the outer surface of the main body, and the bore removably receives the thin end of the transurethral insertion member. At least the front section of the pole.

A third aspect of the present invention is to provide a cover for a transurethral insertion element having an elongated shaft, wherein said elongated shaft has a free front end, and at least one front section at the front end of the elongated shaft, the front end being adapted for insertion into into the urethra of the human or animal body, said shield having a main body within which there is a bore for movably receiving at least the forward portion of the elongated rod of the transurethral insertion member, the bore being formed on the outer surface of the main body There is an open end; and the cover is provided with lubricating means for lubricating the outer surface of at least a part of at least the front section of the elongated rod of the transurethral insertion member, so as to facilitate the insertion of at least the front section of the elongated rod into the human or animal body inside the urethra.

In an embodiment of the invention to be described hereinafter, the lubricating device comprises a lubricating container within the housing, the device being capable of applying lubricant in the lubricating container to at least the front section of the elongated rod of the transurethral insertion part under predetermined conditions. at least a portion of the outer surface.

In an embodiment of the invention to be described hereinafter, the lubrication container is a lubrication compartment in the housing body having a boundary wall which is common to at least a portion of the boundary wall of the bore in the housing body, And the common boundary wall can be turned into an open arrangement under predetermined conditions, so that the lubricant in the lubrication compartment can be discharged into the bore of the cover body, and when at least the front section of the elongated rod of the transurethral insertion member Coating is applied to the outer surface of a portion of the bore as it is inserted into the bore.

In an embodiment of the invention to be described hereinafter, the common boundary wall is configured to be ruptured against the outer surface of the housing body upon application of a predetermined pressure, so as to discharge the lubricant from the lubrication compartment into the bore, and when passed The outer surface of at least a portion of at least a portion of the elongated shaft of the urethral insertion member is coated upon insertion into the bore. The lubrication compartment may be sized and arranged within the shield body to share a boundary wall surrounding at least a portion of the outer surface of at least a portion of the elongated shaft of the transurethral insert when inserted into the bore. In fact, the lubricating compartment can also be dimensioned and arranged in the body of the shield so that when at least the front section of the elongated shaft of the transurethral insertion part is inserted into the bore, a common boundary wall surrounds this portion, so that the elongated shaft All inserts are lubricated.

In an embodiment of the invention to be described hereinafter, the lubrication container is an open-ended tube having annular front and rear ends for positioning in a bore in the body of the shroud such that at least the front section of the elongated rod At least a front portion of the tube passes through or is received by the tube, the tube has an inner surface containing lubricant, and the size of the tube is designed to enable at least the front section of the elongated rod to move within the bore relative to the tube. A lubricant is applied to at least a front portion of at least the front section of the elongated rod.

In one embodiment of the present invention, at least a front part of at least the front section of the elongated rod is a front part of at least the front section of the elongated rod, and the front part can pass through the above-mentioned tube, and the remaining part of at least the front section of the elongated rod can be arbitrarily Leave in tube. In this way, at least the entire or almost the entire outer surface of the front section is lubricated.

In an embodiment of the invention to be described later, the tube is located in a bore in the housing body so that at least a front portion of at least the front section of the elongated rod passes therethrough, and the annular front end of the tube is provided with a radially inward an annular flange, thereby forming a sealing ring around the elongated rod of the transurethral insertion member when it is inserted into the bore in the housing body, preventing or substantially preventing Lubricant runs from the inner surface of the tube onto that surface as it passes through the tube. Lubricant is thus substantially limited to only passing from the inner surface of the tube to at least a front portion of at least the front section of the elongated rod as it is withdrawn from the bore. Preferably, at least a front portion of at least the front section of the elongated rod is a front portion of at least the front section of the elongated rod, while the remainder of at least the front section of the elongated rod is optionally in the tube, whereby the elongated rod is extracted from the bore All or substantially all of the outer surface of the insertable portion is caused to be lubricated.

According to an embodiment of the first and second aspects of the present invention to be described hereinafter, the transurethral insertion member includes a collar having a front end connected to the rear end of the elongated rod, and the collar is on the front end thereof. There is a front section that is receivable into the bore of the housing body when the elongated rod is inserted into the bore of the housing body. The front section of the collar is wider than the elongated rod and is therefore selected such that when the front section of the collar is received into the bore, its outer surface is adapted to form a close fit with the adjacent border of the bore wall. Additionally, the front end of the collar is adapted to abut against the annular rear end of the tube when the elongated rod is inserted into the bore. This collar forms yet another sealing ring.

In an embodiment of the invention which will be described later, the tube is made of a compressible material and the outer surface of the tube is shaped such that its dimensions correspond to the bore, i.e. the tube is placed from an uncompressed state to inside the bore. The compressed state at the time of the position causes the tube to expand and fix in the bore. As an example, the tube may have a block-like conical outer surface shape.

In an embodiment according to the third aspect of the invention to be described hereinafter, the transurethral insertion member includes a collar having a front end connected to the rear end of the elongated rod, and the collar has a front section at its front end . The front section of the collar is wider than the width of the elongated rod, the bore is adapted to receive the front section of the collar when the elongated rod is received in the bore, and the periphery of the outer surface of the front section of the collar adjoins the wall of the bore A snug fit is formed, and the tube is sized to sit within the bore so that the front section of the collar rests against the annular back end of the tube, creating yet another seal.

An embodiment of the present invention as an example will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

1 is a perspective view of a transurethral device for treating male erectile dysfunction such as impotence according to a first embodiment of the present invention, the device includes a transurethral insertion part for insertion into the male urethra, the part having a drug a holding portion, a plunger portion and a cover for covering the insertable portion of the transurethral insertion component;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the transurethral device shown in Figure 1 in an assembled state;

Figure 3 is a side view of the transurethral device shown in Figure 1 in an assembled state;

Figure 4 is a plan view from below of the transurethral device shown in Figure 1 in an assembled state;

Figure 5 is a plan view from above of the transurethral device shown in Figure 1 in an assembled state;

6 is a perspective view of a transurethral device for treating male erectile dysfunction such as impotence according to a second embodiment of the present invention, the device comprising a transurethral insertion part for insertion into the male urethra, the part having a drug a holding portion, a plunger portion and a cover for covering the insertable portion of the transurethral insertion member, the cover comprising a transparent body portion and an open ring portion;

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the transurethral device shown in Figure 6 in an assembled state;

Figure 8 is a side view of the transurethral device shown in Figure 6 in an assembled state;

Figure 9 is a plan view from below of the transurethral device shown in Figure 6 in an assembled state;

Figure 10 is a plan view from above of the transurethral device shown in Figure 6 in an assembled state;

1 to 5 illustrate a transurethral device 10 for treating erectile dysfunction, such as impotence, in a male patient according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It can be seen from the transurethral device 10 shown in the unassembled state in FIG. Part 3, a plunger part 5 and a cap 7 for storing the transurethral insertion part 1 before use. Preferably, the aforementioned detachable part of the transurethral device 10 is a one-piece body injection molded from plastic material.

The medicine holding part 3 has an elongated rod 9 which has a front end 11 adapted to be inserted into the male urethra, a handpiece 13 which is convenient for the male to hold the transurethral insertion part 1, and a handpiece 13 The front end of is connected to the collar 14 of the rear end of elongated rod 9. As shown in FIG. 2 , an axial bore 15 extends through the medication containing portion 3 between a front open end 17 at the front end 11 of the elongated rod 9 and a rear open end 19 in the rear end of the handpiece 13 . The bore 15 is stepped to form a front section 16 extending backward from the front open end 17 to a first width of the elongated rod 9 and a rear section 18 extending forward from the rear open end 19 to a second width of the handpiece 13, wherein the second The width is greater than the first width. Front section 16 of bore 15 is adapted to receive erectile dysfunction treatment medication (not shown) which is delivered by plunger portion 5 into the male urethra as will be described later.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the plunger portion 5 of the transurethral insertion member 1 has an elongated stem 21, and the plunger portion has a free front end 23 and an enlarged head 25 connected to the rear end of the elongated stem 21 . When the transurethral insertion component 1 is assembled, the elongate shaft 21 and the enlarged head 25 of the plunger portion 5 are respectively received by the front section 16 and the rear section 18 within the bore 15 in the drug containing portion 3 .

Referring particularly to Figure 2, the cover 7 is provided with an aperture 27 sized to removably receive the elongated shaft 9 and collar 14 of the drug containing portion 3 until the transurethral insertion unit 1 is used until the cover is removed In this way the elongated rod 9 cannot be damaged and/or contaminated. As will be described in detail later, the cover 7 is also provided with a lubricant containing compartment 29 adapted to coat the outer surface of the elongated rod 9 of the medicine containing part 3 with lubricant before inserting the elongated rod into the male urethra. .

The ready-to-use transurethral device 10 assembly will now be described with reference to FIGS. 2-5.

First, the transurethral insertion component 1 is assembled into the retracted position for insertion of the plunger portion 5 into the axial bore 15 in the drug containing portion 3, where the enlarged head portion 25 is partially located behind the bore 15. Section 18, thereby protruding backward from the rear open end 19, and the elongated rod 21 protrudes forward into the front section 16 of the axial bore 15, but the front end 23 of the elongated rod 21 is located in the medicine containing part 3 Inside the bore 15 inside the front section 16 after the erectile dysfunction medication.

Next, the cover 7 and the transurethral insertion part 1 are assembled to insert the elongated rod 9 and the collar 14 of the drug holding part 3 into the bore 27 in the cover 7 until the front end of the handpiece 13 is seated on the rear end of the cover 7 superior. In the present embodiment, the entire portion of the elongated shaft 9 of the drug containing portion 3 is housed within the bore 27 of the cover 7 . It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that at least the insertable length of the elongated rod 9 is sufficient to be accommodated in the bore 27 of the cover 7 if the length of the elongated rod 9 is greater than the portion of the rod that can be inserted into the urethra.

As previously mentioned, the housing 7 is provided with a lubricant containing compartment 29 . As can be seen with reference to FIG. 2 , the boundary wall 31 of the lubricant containing compartment 29 also acts as part of the boundary wall of the bore 27 in the housing 7 . The common boundary wall 31 is configured to be either punctureable or openable in use under predetermined circumstances, in which case, when a predetermined pressure applied to the outer surface of the cover 7 is transmitted to the common boundary wall 31, causing The common boundary wall 31 is in an open state. Leaving the common boundary wall 31 open enables lubricant to escape from the compartment 29 into the bore 27 in the cover 7 adjacent the outer surface of the elongated shaft 9 of the drug containing portion 3 .

The type of lubricant contained in the compartment 29 will depend on the material of the outer surface of the insertable length of the elongated rod 9 of the drug containing part 3 . Typically, the lubricant is in the form of a gel, such as cellulose gum. When the outer surface of the insertable length of the elongated rod 9 of the drug containing portion 3 is hydrophilic, water or salt may be used as a lubricant. Regardless of the type of lubricant used, it should not compromise the efficacy of erectile dysfunction medications.

The transurethral insertion member 1 can be manipulated relative to the shield 7 such that the lubricant coats the entire outer surface of the elongated shaft 9 of the drug containing portion 3 . At this time, the collar 14 of the medicine containing part 3 acts as a sealing ring to prevent the lubricant from leaking out from the bore 27 of the cover 7 . Alternatively, the size of the lubricant holding compartment 29 and the juxtaposition of the bore 27 in the cover 27 may be designed so that the lubricant expelled from the compartment 29 is automatically applied to the area defined by the bore 27. On the elongated rod 9 of medicine holding part 3. For example, the lubricant containing compartment 29 may be formed to define almost the entire bore adjacent to the elongated shaft 9 of the drug containing portion 3 .

Although it is preferred that almost the entire insertable length of the elongated shaft of the drug containing part 3 is lubricated, even if only part of the insertable length is lubricated, for example the front section of the elongated shaft 9 is lubricated enough to allow the elongated shaft to be inserted comfortably into the male urethra.

In use, first the elongated shaft of the medicine containing part 3 is lubricated in the manner described in the preceding paragraph. The handpiece 13 of the transurethral device 1 is then grasped and the transurethral device is withdrawn from the cover 7 exposing the elongated shaft 9 of the drug containing portion 3 which is lubricated. Insert the elongated rod 9 of the medicine holding part 3 into the male urethra, and push the plunger part 5 forward to the pushed position, that is, the front end of the enlarged head 25 abuts against the bore of the medicine holding part 3 The step between the front section 16 and the rear section 18 of 15. Pushing the plunger portion 5 to the pushed position causes the free front end 23 of the elongated rod 21 of the plunger portion 5 to push the erectile dysfunction treatment drug from the front open end 17 of the bore 15 in the drug containing portion 3 into the male inside the urethra, thereby enabling impotent patients to maintain an erect penis.

A transurethral device 110 for treating erectile dysfunction, such as male impotence, according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 6 to 10 .

Referring first to FIG. 6, a transurethral device 110 is shown in an unassembled state, which corresponds to the transurethral device 10 previously described with reference to FIGS. 1-5. Transurethral device 110 includes a transurethral insertion component 101 and a cover 107 . In addition, the transurethral insertion member 101 corresponds to the transurethral insertion member 1 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 .

Firstly, the transurethral insertion part 101 of the transurethral device 110 includes a drug holding part 103, which has an elongated rod 109 with a free front end 111 for insertion into the male urethra, and a shaft for holding the transurethral insertion part. Handpiece 113 of 101 and a collar 114 connecting the front end of handpiece 113 to the rear end of elongated rod 109. Also as shown in FIG. 7 , an axial bore 115 extends through the medication containing portion between a front open end 117 at the front end 111 of the elongated rod 109 and a rear open end 119 at the rear end 116 of the handpiece 113 103. The bore 115 is stepped to form a front section 116 extending rearwardly from the front open end 117 to a first width of the elongated rod 109 and a rear section 118 extending forward from the rear open end 119 to a second width of the handpiece 113, wherein the second The width is greater than the first width. The front section 116 of the bore 115 is adapted to receive erectile dysfunction treatment medication (not shown) which is administered into the male urethra as will be described later.

Next, the transurethral insertion part 101 includes a plunger portion 105 for discharging the erectile dysfunction treatment drug from the drug containing portion 103 into the male urethra. The plunger portion 105 has an elongated shaft 121 with a free front end 123 and an enlarged head 125 connected to the rear end of the elongated shaft 121, the enlarged head being dimensioned to accommodate the drug In the rear section 118 of the axial bore 115 in the containing portion 103 .

Referring now to FIGS. 6 to 8, the cover 107 includes a main body portion 120 and an open-ended tubular portion 130, wherein said main body portion is provided with an axial bore 127 having an open end at the rear end of the main body portion 120, said The tubular portion has a slightly conical shape and can be inserted into a bore 127 in the body portion 120 of the cover 107 . Referring particularly to FIG. 7, it can be seen that the front end of the tubular portion 130 has a radially inward annular flange 140, the purpose of which will be described later. The tubular portion 130 is made of a compressible material sized relative to the bore 127 in the body portion 120 in the cover 107, when the tubular portion 130 is inserted into the bore 127 in the body portion 120 of the cover 107, the tubular portion 130 inwards from the compressed state to the compressed state.

Assembly of the transurethral device 110 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10 .

First, the plunger portion 105 of the transurethral insertion member 101 is inserted forwardly into the axial bore 115 in the drug containing portion 103 in a retracted position where the enlarged head 125 is partially located behind the bore 115. section 118, such that the rear end of the head 125 protrudes backward from the rear open end 119 of the bore 115, and the elongated rod 121 protrudes forward into the front section 116 of the bore 115, with the front end 123 of the elongated rod 121 positioned at the Behind the erectile dysfunction treatment drug in the front section 116 of the bore 115 .

Next, the tubular portion 130 of the cover 107 is inserted into the bore 127 in the body portion 120 of the cover 107 .

Third and finally, the elongated rod 109 and the front section of the collar 114 of the drug containing portion 103 are inserted into the axial bore 127 in the body portion 120 of the cover 107, and the elongated rod 109 is passed through the tubular portion 130 to The transurethral component 101 is assembled with the cover 107 .

Prior to assembling together the transurethral insertion component 101 and the cover 107, the inner surface of the tubular portion 130 is coated with lubricant as previously described. As shown in FIG. 7, the lubricating layer 150 is sandwiched between the inner surface of the tubular portion 130 of the cover 107 and the adjacent outer surface of the elongated shaft of the drug-retaining portion 103 of the transurethral insertion member 101 when the transurethral device 110 is assembled. . The radially inward annular flange 140 that is located at the front end of tubular portion 130 is compatible with this portion when the outer surface of the elongated rod 109 of medicine holding portion 103 is inserted into the bore 127 in the main body portion 120 of cover 107. touch. This prevents lubricant from flowing from the inner surface of the tubular portion 130 to the drug container when the elongated rod 109 of the drug containing portion 103 is inserted forwardly through the flange 140 into the bore 127 in the body portion 120 of the cover 107. The outer surface of the elongated rod 109 of the part 103.

In effect, when transurethral device 110 is assembled, the inner surface of tubular portion 130 and flange 140 define the boundary wall of the lubricant reservoir surrounding the adjacent outer surface of elongated shaft 109 of drug containing portion 103 . With this in mind, when the transurethral device 110 is in assembled form, the outer circumferential surface of the front section of the collar 14 of the drug holding portion 103 protrudes into the bore 127 in the main body portion of the cover 107, adjacent to the bore 127. The boundary wall fits snugly against the front end of the collar 114 resting on the rear end of the tubular portion 130 . The collar 114 thus also acts as a "lubricant container" for lubricant.

When the male desires to use the transurethral device 110, the transurethral insertion part 101 is withdrawn from the cover 107 by grasping the handpiece 113 and pulling the transurethral insertion part 101 rearwardly relative to the cover 107. Withdrawal of the transurethral insertion member 101 from the cover 107 causes lubricant to be delivered from the inner surface of the tubular portion 130 of the cover 107 to the outer surface of the elongated shaft 109 of the drug containing portion 103 withdrawn from the tubular portion 130 .

Although the embodiment shown here is constructed and arranged so that the entire outer surface of the elongated rod 109 of the drug containing portion 103 is withdrawn through the tubular portion 130 to apply the lubricant, it will be clear to those skilled in the art, and It is not strictly necessary to coat the entire outer surface of the elongated shaft 109 of the drug containing portion 103 with lubricant to facilitate its insertion into the male urethra. For example, if it is not necessary to insert the entire length of the elongated shaft 109 of the receiving portion 103 into the urethra, only the inserted length needs to be lubricated. Applying a lubricant to at least a portion of the insertable length of the elongated shaft 109 of the drug containing portion 103, for example the front section of the elongated shaft 109, will be sufficient to facilitate insertion.

Once the elongated shaft 109 of the drug-containing portion 103 is inserted into the male urethra, the plunger portion 105 is pressed forward from the retracted position to the compressed position, where the front end of the enlarged head 25 rests against the urethra located in the drug-containing position. A transitional step is formed between the front section 116 and the rear section 118 of the bore 115 of the portion 103 . Forward pressing of the plunger portion 105 to the depressed position causes the free front end 123 of the elongated shaft 121 of the plunger portion 105 to push the erectile dysfunction treatment drug from the front section 116 of the bore 115 in the drug receiving portion 103 into the male urethra, So that impotence patients can keep the penis erect.

It can thus be seen that the present invention provides a transurethral device for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in a male or animal having the advantage that the device comprises a device that facilitates insertion of the insertable portion of the transurethral insertion member into the urethra of a male or animal. without the need for (i) the male or animal body to urinate first; or (ii) the addition of an additional step to lubricate the insertable portion of the transurethral insertion component, with the attendant potential contamination of the insertable portion. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to transurethral devices for drug delivery, but includes broad applications of the basic field of transurethral devices.

Claims (29)

1. transurethral device (10 that is used for the treatment of male or animal erectile dysfunction; 110), comprise a per urethra insertion parts (1 that is used to hold the erectile dysfunction healing potion; 101), this per urethra insertion parts comprises an elongate rod (9; 109), this bar has a free front end (11; 111), and be positioned at the urethra that elongate rod leading portion front end is suitable for being inserted into male or animal body; The per urethra insertion parts also comprise one elongate rod leading portion is inserted into urethra at least the time be used for the erectile dysfunction healing potion is transported to endo-urethral device (5 from the per urethra insertion parts; 105), it is characterized in that transurethral device also comprises the outer surface of at least a portion of the leading portion at least that is used for lubricated elongate rod so that the leading portion at least of the elongate rod of per urethra insertion parts be inserted into human body or the endo-urethral lubricating arrangement (29 of animal body; 130).

2. transurethral device as claimed in claim 1 also comprises the cover (7 of the leading portion at least of an elongate rod that can cover the per urethra insertion parts with removing; 107), it is characterized in that described lubricating arrangement constitutes the part of described cover.

3. transurethral device as claimed in claim 2 is characterized in that described lubricating arrangement is suitable for lubricated this part when the outer surface of at least a portion of the leading portion at least of elongate rod is covered by described cover.

4. transurethral device (10; 110), comprise having an elongate rod (9; 109) per urethra insertion parts (1; 101) and one the cover (7; 107), described elongate rod has a free front end (11; 111), and the front end that is positioned at the leading portion at least of described elongate rod is suitable for being inserted into the urethra of human body or animal body, described cover can cover this part before being used in the urethra that leading portion at least in the elongate rod of per urethra insertion parts is inserted into human body or animal body with removing, it is characterized in that described cover comprises the outer surface of at least a portion of the leading portion at least that is used for lubricated elongate rod, so that the leading portion at least of the elongate rod of per urethra insertion parts is inserted into the endo-urethral lubricating arrangement (29 of human body or animal body; 130).

5. transurethral device as claimed in claim 4 is characterized in that described lubricating arrangement (29; 130) lubricated this part when the outer surface of at least a portion of the leading portion at least of elongate rod is covered by described cover.

6. as each described transurethral device in the claim 2 to 5, it is characterized in that described lubricating arrangement is included in the lube container (29 in the cover; 130), this lubricating arrangement can be with the lubricant delivery in the lube container to the outer surface of at least a portion of the leading portion at least of the elongate rod of per urethra insertion parts under predetermined case.

7. transurethral device as claimed in claim 6 is characterized in that the described main body (120) that is covered with, and the bore hole (27 of the leading portion at least of the elongate rod that can admit the per urethra insertion parts is arranged in this main body with removing; 127), this bore hole has an opening on the outer surface of described main body, described like this lube container is for being positioned at the main intravital lubricated compartment (29) of cover, this compartment has a boundary wall (31) and at least a portion of leading the boundary wall of intravital bore hole at cover to have, and described so total boundary wall can be in the arrangement states of opening in the application of predetermined case, lubricant in lubricated compartment can be discharged from cover main intravital bore hole like this, when the outer surface of at least a portion of the leading portion at least of the elongate rod of per urethra insertion parts was arranged in bore hole, lubricant arrived on this part.

8. transurethral device as claimed in claim 7, it is characterized in that described total boundary wall is configured to can be punctured when predetermined external force is applied to the outer surface of cover main body, so that in lubricated compartment, discharge lubricant to bore hole, and when the outer surface of at least a portion of the leading portion at least of the elongate rod of per urethra insertion parts was arranged in bore hole, lubricant arrived on this part.

9. as claim 7 or 8 described transurethral devices, it is characterized in that the size of described lubricated compartment and be designed to when at least a portion of the leading portion at least of the elongate rod of per urethra insertion parts is arranged in bore hole that total boundary wall holds this part in the main intravital arrangement of cover.

10. transurethral device as claimed in claim 9, it is characterized in that described lubricated compartment size and the main intravital arrangement of cover be designed to when the elongate rod of per urethra insertion parts leading portion is arranged in bore hole at least the time, total boundary wall holds this part.

11. transurethral device as claimed in claim 6 is characterized in that the described main body (120) that is covered with, and the bore hole (27 of the leading portion at least of the elongate rod that can admit the per urethra insertion parts is arranged in this main body with removing; 127), this bore hole has an opening on the outer surface of described main body, described like this lube container is that the end is the pipe (130) of opening, this pipe has the ring-type front-end and back-end, so that be positioned in the main intravital bore hole of cover, make elongate rod leading portion at least previous section at least can by or admitted, described pipe is useful on the inner surface of lubricant, and pipe be dimensioned to when the leading portion at least of elongate rod with respect to described pipe in bore hole when mobile, lubricant can be coated on the outer surface of previous section at least of leading portion at least of elongate rod.

12. transurethral device as claimed in claim 11 is characterized in that described pipe can be positioned in the main intravital bore hole of cover, so that the previous section at least of the leading portion at least of elongate rod is passed through wherein; The ring-type front end of pipe is provided with radially inner collar flange (140), so that when the elongate rod of per urethra insertion parts is accepted in the main intravital bore hole of cover, form sealing ring around this elongate rod, thereby go on the outer surface of this part from the inner surface of pipe when the previous section at least of the leading portion at least of elongate rod can prevent or prevent basically lubricant during by pipe, like this when the leading portion at least of elongate rod is drawn back from bore hole, lubricant can in go on the outer surface of previous section at least of leading portion at least of elongate rod from the inner surface of pipe.

13. transurethral device as claimed in claim 12, the previous section at least that it is characterized in that the leading portion at least of elongate rod is the front portion of the leading portion at least of elongate rod, and the remainder of the leading portion at least of elongate rod can be positioned at pipe like this, thereby when elongate rod was drawn back from bore hole, the leading portion part can be lubricated at least.

14., it is characterized in that described sealing ring is first sealing ring as claim 12 or 13 described transurethral devices; The per urethra insertion parts comprises a neck ring, and this neck ring has a front end that links to each other with the rear end of elongate rod; When inserting elongate rod in the bore hole, the front end of neck ring leading portion can be contained in the main intravital bore hole of cover; The leading portion width of neck ring is greater than the width of elongate rod, and when being chosen in neck ring is contained in bore hole, the neck ring outer surface can form with the adjacent boundary wall of bore hole and fit tightly; In the time of in elongate rod is inserted into bore hole, the front end of neck ring can be against the rear end of pipe and is formed second sealing ring.

15. as transurethral device as described in each in the claim 11 to 14, it is characterized in that described pipe made by compressible material, being shaped as when being positioned pipe in the bore hole of its outer surface, the size with respect to bore hole of pipe can become compressive state from uncompressed state, so that it is fixing that pipe is expanded in bore hole.

16. transurethral device as claimed in claim 15 is characterized in that described pipe has the shape of fritter shape conical external surface.

17. be used for per urethra insertion parts (1; 101) cover, described per urethra insertion parts has an elongate rod (9; 109), this elongate rod has a free front end (11; 111), and the leading portion at least of elongate rod has a front end to be suitable for being inserted in the urethra of human body or animal body, and described cover has a main body (120), is provided with a bore hole (27 in the main body; 127), bore hole has an opening on the outer surface of main body, this bore hole can be admitted the leading portion at least of the elongate rod of per urethra insertion parts with removing, the outer surface that it is characterized in that at least a portion of the described leading portion at least that is covered with the elongate rod that is used for lubricated per urethra insertion parts is so that the leading portion at least of elongate rod is inserted into the endo-urethral lubricating arrangement (29 of human or animal body; 130).

18. cover as claimed in claim 17 is characterized in that when the outer surface of at least a portion of the leading portion at least of the elongate rod of per urethra insertion parts is contained in the bore hole described lubricating arrangement (29; 130) be used for lubricated this part.

19., it is characterized in that described lubricating arrangement is included in the lube container (29 in the cover as claim 17 or 18 described covers; 130), when the outer surface of at least a portion of the leading portion at least of the elongate rod of per urethra insertion parts is contained in the main intravital bore hole of cover, this lubricating arrangement can be under predetermined case with the lubricant delivery in the lube container on this part.

20. cover as claimed in claim 19, it is characterized in that described lube container is for covering main intravital lubricated compartment (29), this compartment has a boundary wall (31), this boundary wall has with at least a portion of the boundary wall of the main intravital bore hole of cover, should have boundary wall can be in opening under predetermined case arrangement states, thereby the lubricant in the lubricated compartment can be expelled in the main intravital bore hole of cover, and when the outer surface of at least a portion of the leading portion at least of the elongate rod of per urethra insertion parts is contained in the bore hole, reach on this part.

21. cover as claimed in claim 20, it is characterized in that described total boundary wall is configured to can be punctured when predetermined pressure is applied to the outer surface of cover main body, so that in lubricated compartment, discharge lubricant to bore hole, and when the outer surface of at least a portion of the leading portion at least of the elongate rod of per urethra insertion parts was arranged in bore hole, lubricant arrived on this part.

22. as claim 20 or 21 described covers, it is characterized in that the size of described lubricated compartment and be designed to when at least a portion of the leading portion at least of the elongate rod of per urethra insertion parts is arranged in bore hole that total boundary wall holds this part in the main intravital arrangement of cover.

23. cover as claimed in claim 22, it is characterized in that described lubricated compartment size and the main intravital arrangement of cover be designed to when the elongate rod of per urethra insertion parts leading portion is arranged in bore hole at least the time, total boundary wall holds this part.

24. cover as claimed in claim 19, it is characterized in that described lubricant container is open-ended pipe, this pipe has the ring-type front-end and back-end, so that be positioned in the main intravital bore hole of cover, make elongate rod leading portion at least previous section at least can by or admitted, described pipe is useful on the inner surface of lubricant, and pipe be dimensioned to when elongate rod with respect to described pipe in bore hole when mobile, lubricant can be coated on the outer surface of previous section at least of leading portion at least of elongate rod.

25. cover as claimed in claim 24 is characterized in that described pipe can be positioned in the main intravital bore hole of cover, so that the previous section at least of the leading portion at least of elongate rod is passed through wherein; The ring-type front end of pipe is provided with radially inner collar flange (140), so that when the elongate rod of per urethra insertion parts is accepted in the main intravital bore hole of cover, form sealing ring around this elongate rod, thereby, the previous section at least of the leading portion at least of elongate rod goes on this part from the inner surface of pipe when can preventing or prevent basically lubricant during by pipe, like this when the leading portion at least of elongate rod is drawn back from bore hole, lubricant can in the inner surface of pipe go on the outer surface of previous section at least of leading portion at least of elongate rod.

26. cover as claimed in claim 25, wherein the previous section at least of the leading portion at least of elongate rod is the front portion of the leading portion at least of elongate rod, it is characterized in that bore hole and pipe are dimensioned to pipe and can be positioned in the bore hole, so that making at least, the remainder of leading portion can be positioned at pipe, when elongate rod was drawn back from bore hole, the leading portion part can be lubricated at least like this.

27. as claim 25 or 26 described covers, wherein the per urethra insertion parts comprises a neck ring, this neck ring has a front end that links to each other with the rear end of elongate rod, and this front end is positioned at the leading portion of neck ring, and the leading portion width is greater than the width of elongate rod; It is characterized in that when elongate rod was contained in the bore hole, described bore hole was suitable for holding the leading portion of neck ring, and the neck ring outer surface can fit tightly with the adjacent boundary wall of bore hole; Being dimensioned to of pipe can be positioned in the bore hole, so that the front end of neck ring can be close to the ring-type rear end of pipe and form second sealing ring.

28. as each described cover in the claim 24 to 27, it is characterized in that described pipe made by compressible material, being shaped as when being positioned pipe in the bore hole of its outer surface, the size with respect to bore hole of pipe can become compressive state from uncompressed state, so that it is fixing that pipe is expanded in bore hole.

29. cover as claimed in claim 28 is characterized in that described pipe has the shape of fritter shape conical external surface.

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