Implantable device

Claim 1

An artificial bladder suitable for implantation in the body of a patient comprising: a hollow container comprised of a flexible water-impermeable wall material defining an interior space within the container, with an opening being provided in the wall of said container affording fluid communication between said interior space and the exterior of the container, said wall material including an inner layer and an outer layer, each layer being separable from one another, with said inner layer being non-porous and water-impermeable and with a substantial portion of said outer layer being non-resorbable, porous, and capable of receiving soft tissue ingrowth to enhance the anchoring of said artificial bladder in the body of the patient; a first port connected to said container and surrounding said opening, said port being adapted for attachment to the urethra of the patient; means for permitting opening and closing of said first port from the exterior of the artificial bladder to permit the displacement of liquid from the container through the urethra, wherein during said liquid displacement said inner layer separates from said outer layer and collapses inwardly while said outer layer substantially maintains an expanded configuration; a second port connected to said container and displaced from said first port and said opening, said second port being adapted for attachment to the end of a ureter of the patient and including a one-way valve permitting fluid flow from the urether to said container and preventing fluid flow in the opposite direction; and means for generating and transmitting to the patient a signal when a predetermined amount of liquid has been collected in said container.