LU87791A1 - RESIDENTIALLY INSTALLED URETRAL PROBE HAVING MAGNETICALLY CONTROLLED VENTING VALVE, AND METHOD - Google Patents

Description

CLAIM OF THE PRIORITY of the patent application / utility model

In U.S.A.

From August 29, 1989

No. 400.194 Brief Description filed in support of a request for

PATENT OF INVENTION at

Luxembourg

on behalf of: BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB COMPANY 345 Park Avenue NEW YORK, N.Y. 10154 U.S.A. pQur. "Permanently installed urethral probe comprising a magnetically controlled evacuation valve, and method" URETRAL PROBE INSTALLED WITH A MAGNETICALLY CONTROLLED EVACUATION VALVE,

AND METHOD

The present invention relates to devices controlled by male persons suffering from incontinence and, more particularly, to a permanently installed probe comprising a magnetically controlled discharge valve. Male urinary incontinence is a common problem that can occur as a result of muscle weakness, surgical damage from an operation of the urinary sphincter, or various other causes of weakness. So far, there have been no satisfactory surgical techniques to remedy incontinence to the point that bladder control is substantially restored.

Certain known devices which relate to the problem of male incontinence include a urethral probe which allows continuous drainage of the bladder in a collecting bag, without allowing the user to control the evacuation of urine. Other known devices which relate to the problem of male incontinence attempt to achieve some form of control of the evacuation and include valves controlled by the user, such as those shown in the patents US-A-3,331,371. , 3,768,102, 4,026,298 and 4,350,161.

The preceding patents require the manipulation of a valve in the penis in order to put the valve in the open position in order to allow urinary flow. Occasionally, manipulating the penis to operate the valve in the open position to allow urinary evacuation may be painful, or may narrow the urethral passage and prevent drainage of the bladder.

US-A-3,812,841 discloses a valve installed magnetically next to the bladder. The valve is actuated until it is in the open position, by means of an activation device powered by an external battery, housed in a relatively large body, which makes it bulky and unwieldy. . Such a device is a hindrance in the activity of the user because it is necessary to have access to the magnetic actuation device in order to drain the bladder. The user must carry the magnetic actuation device with him at all times, or else confine his activities to a place where a magnetic actuation device is available for use. US-A-3,495,620 also presents a magnetic valve arrangement requiring actuation of the valve from the outside, by means of an actuation device supplied with battery power.

US-A-3,731,670 discloses a magnetically actuated double conduit valve having two valve seats which correspond respectively to the valve open and closed positions. The valve is actuated by an external magnet to reach the open position or the closed position. However, there is no automatic closure of the urine flow at the end of the evacuation. Thus, a user may very well inadvertently forget to actuate the valve from the open position to the closed position. Another case is the problem of the user who may not be able to realize that he has put the valve in the closed position, and who may think that it is closed when in reality the valve is in open position. US-A-3,419,008, 3,926,175, 3,939,821 and US-A-4,024,855 relate to magnetically actuated valve pliers that pinch or constrict a passage of the body, such as the urethra, to put it in a closed situation. Such devices require surgical implantation of the pinch member and cannot be easily removed for repair or replacement.

It is thus desirable to propose a device for incontinence controlled by the user comprising a drainage valve which can be actuated without manipulations, without batteries, cables or other bulky and bulky accessories which strongly hamper the activity of the user. It is, moreover, desirable to present a device for assisting subjects suffering from incontinence, which is controlled by them while being capable of being actuated to be placed in the open position in order to allow urinary drainage and which automatically returns to closed position when magnetic actuation ceases.

Among the multiple objects of the invention, we can note the provision of a new urethral probe capable of being permanently installed intended to control incontinence, this new urethral probe is capable of being permanently installed and comprises a control valve which is actuated magnetically in order to control the drainage of the bladder. The new urethral catheter is intended to control incontinence and can be completely hidden in the penis in an almost undetectable way, it is intended to control incontinence and can be easily actuated with a magnet which is of a sufficiently small dimension to be put in pocket. Another object of the invention is to propose a new urethral probe comprising a valve which closes automatically when a magnetic actuation device is removed from the penis, and also to present a new magnetically actuated valve, the probe being the embodiment of '' a new method of evacuating fluid out of the bladder.

The valve means for controlling incontinence are installed in an opposite end part of the tubular member in order to control the movement of the fluid in the drainage passage. The valve means includes a valve member which is normally in the closed position. The valve element is capable of being magnetically actuated to come into the open position by means of a small magnetic element held close to the penis.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the valve means comprises a ball valve in axial alignment with an element capable of being magnetically actuated and a valve orifice situated in a valve seat placed under the pressure of a spring. The magnetically actuable element is deflected by a magnet which is manually positioned outside the penis, near the valve means. The outer magnet deflects the magnetically actuable element into a position of non-alignment with the valve opening to allow the valve ball to exit the valve seat and thereby allow flow fluid in the opening for its evacuation by the penis.

The removal of the magnetically external element from its position close to the valve means allows the valve means to automatically return to its normally closed position.

In one embodiment of the invention, the valve seat is located at an upstream end of the fluid flow path. When the pressure of the fluid in the fluid discharge passage of the incontinence device rises to a predetermined pressure, said pressure causes the valve ball to exit its seat. The fluid can thus be evacuated from the penis without the valve being actuated by means of the external magnet. Thus, the incontinence device has a pressure relief feature which provides for the evacuation of fluid at a pressure level which is not harmful to the bladder, kidneys or other parts of the urinary system.

In another embodiment of the invention, the valve ball and the valve seat are located in a downstream part of the fluid discharge passage. This embodiment does not have a pressure relief characteristic and the evacuation of the fluid by the valve always requires actuation of the valve to the open position, by means of the external magnet.

Accordingly, the invention includes the structures and method described below, the scope of the invention being indicated in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings: - Figure 1 is a schematic view of the urethral catheter to be placed in order to control incontinence, comprising one of the embodiments of the invention, during placement in the penis; - Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, the collecting bag and the inflation device being removed; - Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing how the incontinence device is magnetically actuated to allow drainage of fluid from the bladder; - Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the urethral probe capable of being permanently installed in order to control incontinence, before its introduction into the urethral passage and into the bladder; - Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view thereof; - Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5, the assembly being carried out; - Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view thereof, corresponding to Figure 5; - Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view thereof, corresponding to Figure 6; - Figure 9 is a sectional view along line 9-9 of Figure 8; - Figure 10 is an enlarged fragmentary view thereof in the operating position, the valve means being in the closed position; - Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 10, showing the valve means magnetically actuated until reaching the open position, to allow the flow of fluid; FIGS. 12 and 13 represent another embodiment of the invention, in the closed position of the valve and in the open position of the valve, corresponding to those shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

Corresponding references indicate corresponding parts in the various views of the drawings.

A probe assembly incorporating one of the embodiments of the invention generally bears the reference numeral 10 in FIG. 1.

Referring to Figures 4 to 9, the probe assembly 10 includes a part 12 intended to control incontinence and an inflation / drainage element 14 capable of being detachably assembled with the part intended to control incontinence.

Part 12 has an oblong tubular element 16 which can be made of silicone. The tubular element 16 has an outer tubular surface 18 and an interior passage 20 for discharging fluid. The discharge passage 20 extends from an end portion 22 of the tubular member 16 to an opposite end portion 28 thereof. The end portion 22 of the tubular element 16 is provided with openings 24 and 26 for draining the bladder, arranged opposite one another which communicate with the interior passage 20 for discharging fluid. .

An inflatable bladder balloon 30, preferably made of silicone, is mounted on the periphery of the tubular element 16, at a predetermined distance from the end portion 22. An inflatable urethral cushion 32, also made of silicone, is mounted on the periphery of the tubular element 16, at a predetermined distance from the bladder balloon 30. The bladder balloon 30 and the urethral cushion 32 are initially deflated, as shown in FIG. 4.

The opposite end portions 34 and 36 of the bladder balloon 30 are attached to the outer surface 18 of the tubular member 16 in a sealed arrangement, preventing leakage, using a suitable known silicone adhesive. Similarly, the opposite end portions 38, 40 of the urethral pad 32 are fixed to the surface 18 of the tubular member 16, in a sealed manner.

As can be seen most clearly in FIG. 8, a pair of narrow inflation pipes 42 and 44 are inside the tubular element 16. The small inflation pipe 42, for example, communicates with the bladder balloon 30, and the narrow inflation duct 44 communicates with the urethral cushion 32.

The distal end portion 46 of the narrow inflation duct 42 is provided with a valve ball 48 biased by a spring. The ball is normally in the closed position against a valve seat 50. Similarly, the narrow inflation duct 44 comprises, at the distal part 52, a valve ball 54 urged by a spring. The ball is normally in the closed position against a valve seat 56.

An incontinence valve 60 is mounted in the part 12 intended to control incontinence, at a predetermined distance from the end part 28 of the tubular element 16.

The incontinence valve 60 comprises a ball element 64 which is normally pushed against a valve seat part 66 having a conical surface and a valve orifice 88. The ball element 64 can be made, for example, of stainless steel gold-plated, plastic, i glass based on silicon or borosilicates.

Means 70 for pushing the ball element 64 in order to close the orifice 68, comprise a thrust spring 72 and a cylinder-shaped element 74 capable of being actuated magnetically, fixed to one ends of the push spring 72. The spring 70 can be made of stainless steel (MP35N), monel or any other non-magnetic material to form a spring.

A member 76 forming a seat for the spring is arranged at a predetermined distance from the valve seat 66 in order to retain the opposite end of the thrust spring 72. The spring seat 76 can be made for example of stainless steel or of material plastic. ) The valve 60 for incontinence, which is normally in the closed position, is actuated to reach the open position by means of an external magnet 77 which is moved with the hand. The magnet 77 can be made of a compound made of a magnetic rare earth such as a mixture of neodymium, iron-boron or samarium-cobalt. The organ 74 actuated by the magnet can also be a mixture of neodymium-iron-boron or samarium-cobalt. ^^ and not neodynium. The valve 60 for incontinence, when in the normal closed position, as shown in FIG. 10, prevents the fluid coming from the fluid evacuation passage 20 from passing into the valve orifice 68; it thus maintains continence. The thrust spring 72 and the element 74 capable of being magnetically actuated are chosen so as to be able to exert a determined thrust force on the element 64 forming a ball; this force is sufficient to maintain the ball element 64 in the closed position during the normal life of a relatively active person. There is little chance that the ball member 64 inadvertently comes out of the valve seat 66 due to movement and activity of the user of the probe.

However, in the event that the fluid pressure in the fluid passage 20 reaches a predetermined level which exceeds the pushing force of the spring 72, the ball element 64 will exit the valve seat 60. This will allow the fluid to flow past the anti-incontinence valve 60. These events will take place even if the element 74 capable of being magnetically actuated is not actuated and a fortiori if it is. The purpose of this mounting design is to prevent excess pressure from building up in the bladder, which could be damaged or, with it, other parts of the body, such as the kidneys. Thus, the incontinence valve 60 is provided with a possibility of automatic pressure lowering, according to which the relief pressure is a function of the force of the spring.

When it is desired to actuate the incontinence valve 60 to put it in the open position, the magnet 77 is placed manually near the penis 79 as shown in FIG. 11 thereby attracting (or pushing back) the element 74 capable of being magnetically actuated from the position in Figure 10. The movement of the element 74 from the position om it aligns with the ball 64 and the orifice 68 allows the ball 64 to exit the valve seat 66 and also allows the fluid to flow into the orifice, as seen in FIG. 11. The element 74 and the element 64 forming a ball have a dimension such that the ball cannot pass between the element 74 and the wall of the tubular element 16. Thus, in all possible cases of deflection of the element 74, the element 64 forming a ball is located between the part forming the free end of the element 74 and the valve seat 66. When the manually movable magnet 77 is removed in the vicinity of the valve 60, the spring 72 and the element 74 push the ball 64 against the valve seat 66 to the normal closed position, position where the ball 64 closes the orifice 68. The external movable magnet 77 is preferably compact and can be put in a pocket, its dimensions being, for example, 1 inch wide by 3 inches long, with a thickness of 3/16 inch. If desired, the outer movable magnet 77 can be sheathed in a bag or other container having no magnetic character. The inflation / drainage element 14 comprises a drainage conduit element 78 which has an interior conduit passage 60 which extends from an end portion 82 (Figure 4), to a portion of opposite end 84. The exhaust duct member may be made of silicone, polyvinyl chloride, or any other known suitable biocompatible plastic material.

A pair of narrow inflation conduits 86 and 88 (Figures 5 to 8) corresponding to the narrow inflation conduits 42 and 44 are formed in the interior surface of the conduit passage 80.

A plug-in assembly 90, made of a plastic material or of a suitable metal such as stainless steel, comprises a part 12 forming a cap capable of achieving total sealing around the end part 82 of the element 78 forming a conduit drainage. A pair of inflation needles 94 and 96, each having an opening 98 and 100, extends longitudinally from the part 92 forming a cap. The inflation needles 94 and 5 96 are in alignment with the narrow inflation conduits 86 and 88, of which they form an extension.

Blunt ends 102 and 104 are made at the respective free ends of the inflation needles 94 and 96. 3 A piece 106 of duct extension can be made of plastic or of special steel, it projects from the part 92 forming a cap. , between the inflation needles 94 and 96. The conduit extension 106 defines a passage 107 of the conduit extension which forms the continuation of the conduit passage 80 and whose cross section is complementary to the discharge passage 20 located at the distal end 28 of the tubular element 16.

A bypass member 110 (FIGS. 1 to 4)) joins the part 84 forming the end of the element 78 of the evacuation duct and it has an extension 112 of evacuation which communicates with the passage 80 of the duct. The bypass member 110 also includes end pieces 114 and 116 for syringes, end pieces which communicate respectively with the narrow inflation conduits 86 and 88.

Using the probe assembly 10, the inflation / evacuation element 14 is assembled with the part intended for controlling incontinence 12 by aligning the inflation needles 94 and 96 with the parts 42 and 44 forming narrow conduits of the tubular element 12, as shown in FIG. 5. A free end part of the extension 106 of the conduit is thus received in the passage 70 for fluid downstream of the valve 60 for incontinence when the inflation needles 94 and 96 are housed in the narrow conduits 42 and 44 in order to be put in place as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8. The periphery of the tubular element 12 is substantially identical to the periphery of the part 92 forming a cap in order to provide a smooth continuous surface at the junction between the tubular element 12 and the plug-in assembly 90.

The inflation needles 94 and 96 when they engage in the distal ends 46 and 52 of the parts 42 and 44 forming narrow conduits cause the respective balls 48 and 54 to come out of their respective valve seats 50 and 56, in order to penetrate in the narrow inflation conduits 42 and 44 of the tubular element 16, as shown in FIG. 8.

A collecting bag 118 (FIG. 4) is connected to an evacuation extension 112 and syringes 120 and 122 are placed respectively in the tips for syringes 114 and 116, said syringes comprising predetermined quantities of a fluid suitable for known inflation. .

After the part intended to control incontinence 12 and the inflation / evacuation element 14 have been combined, a suitable known lubricant (not shown) is applied to the tubular surface 18 of the tubular element 16. The tubular element 16 is inserted into the urethra 128 in order to place the bladder balloon 30 in the uninflated state in the bladder 130. The tubular element 16 has a dimension such that the valve 60 for incontinence is substantially in agreement with the penis meatus. Tubular elements 16 of different lengths can be tested in order to ensure such correspondence with the meatus of the penis.

The bladder balloon 30 being thus placed in the uninflated state in the bladder 130, the syringes 120 and 122 can begin to force the liquid in the respective passages 86, 42 and 88, 44 of the narrow conduits, in order to inflate the balloon bladder 30 and urethra cushion 32, as shown in FIG. 2.

When the inflation is complete, the syringes 120 and 122 are removed and automatic sealing valves 124 and 126 are mounted on the syringe receiving nozzles 114 and 116 to ensure that the inflation volume of the bladder balloon 30 and of the urethral cushion 32 is maintained.

The fluid 132 of the bladder (FIG. 4) can thus pass through the openings 24 and 26 in order to penetrate via the passage 20 for evacuating fluid into the passage 107 of the extension of the conduit and then, via the passage 80 of the conduit in the collecting bag 118. There is no communication between the passages 20, 107, 80 for fluid and the narrow inflation conduits 42, 44 and 86, 88.

According to this arrangement, the fluid 132 of the bladder can be continuously drained out of the bladder 130, beyond the valve 60 into the collecting bag 118, provided that the outer magnet 77 is kept close to the penis of n any suitable way, such as in a case-like arrangement (not shown) that would keep magnet 77 close to the penis. If continuous drainage is not desired but if the collecting bag 118 is to be used, the valve 60 is maintained in the normal closed position and it is actuated using the magnet 77 in the manner previously described. The filled collecting bag 118 can be emptied or replaced if necessary.

When a patient is able to control his own bladder drainage without the collecting bag 118, the inflation / evacuation element 14 is detached from the part 12 intended to control incontinence as shown in FIG. 2. Thus / can the patient manually control the drainage of his bladder by selectively opening the valve 60 for incontinence using the magnet 77.

When the inflation / evacuation element 14 is separated from the part 12 intended to control incontinence, the inflation needles 94 and 96 are withdrawn from the narrow conduits 42 and 44 and the valve balls 48 and 54 pushed by springs are in their normal closed position. The inflation volume of the bladder balloon 30 and of the urethral cushion 32 and thus maintained.

When the bladder fluid 132 accumulates in the bladder 130 to a point such that drainage is desired, the patient holds the magnet 77 in his hand near the penis as shown in Figure 11. The magnet 77 does not need to be placed precisely because it has sufficient flux to open valve 60 when it is placed along the penis near the urinary meatus.

When the bladder drainage is complete, the removal of the magnet 77 from the penis meatus area allows the valve 60 to return to its normal closed position, thereby forming the fluid discharge passage 20 and allowing the fluid 132 of the bladder to accumulate in the bladder 130.

A patient can thus control the emptying time of his bladder according to his choice. As can be seen, the part 12 intended to control incontinence which allows such control is entirely hidden in the penis and it is practically undetectable. If the part intended to control incontinence 12 has to be removed from the urethra 128, the penis is pushed against the pubis by exposing the distal end of part 12. The tubular element 16 is cut just near the valves 48 and 54 to allow the balloon 30 and the urethral cushion 32 to deflate. The part intended to control incontinence can then be released. Another embodiment of the probe assembly is generally indicated by the reference numeral 140 in FIGS. 12 and 13. The probe assembly 140, which includes a part intended for controlling incontinence 142, does not have any pressure relief characteristic and has a structure identical to that of the probe assembly 10, except for the orientation of the incontinence valve 150 of the part 142 intended for controlling incontinence.

The incontinence valve 150 has components which are identical to those of the valve 60. However, the valve seat 66 and the ball element 64 are located in the flow portion downstream from the tubular element 16.

In this arrangement, the accumulation of bladder fluid 132 in the fluid discharge passage 20 tends to keep the ball 64 in its closed position on the valve seat 66. The actuation of the valve 150 for incontinence up to 'in the open position requires the positioning of the manually movable magnet 77, close to the valve 150, as shown in FIG. 13. The operation of the valve 150 is, as far as all the other aspects are concerned, similar to the operation of valve 60.

Consequently, the positioning of the magnet 77 near the valve 150 deflects from its alignment with the orifice 68 the element 74 capable of being magnetically actuated. The element 74 having thus been deflected, the ball 64 is no longer positioned against the orifice 68 and the fluid present in the fluid evacuation passage 20 displaces the ball from the seat and flows through the orifice 68 to be evacuated from the penis, as shown schematically in Figure 13.

The withdrawal of the magnet 77 from its position close to the penis allows the thrust spring 72 to push the element 74 capable of being magnetically actuated in the direction of the orifice 68 and to confine the element 64 forming a ball against the orifice 68. The flow of fluid through the evacuation passage 20 thus ceases in the absence of magnetic action from the element 74. The installation and operation of the probe assembly 140 provided with the element inflation / eva-cuation 14, are carried out in a similar manner to that described above for the probe assembly 10.

It should be noted that other suitable known means for anchoring parts 12 and 142 intended for controlling incontinence in the bladder, such as non-inflatable spiral objects and metal parts with knitted threads can be used and that other known means for arranging non-inflatable cushions can be used to prevent movement of the parts 12 and 142 in the urethra.

Some advantages of the invention evident from the previous description include a permanently installed urethral probe, allowing incontinence control, which allows at will either continuous drainage of the bladder, or drainage on command of the user . Either option can be achieved with a single placement of the probe assembly into the urethra and bladder.

Another advantage is that the valve means for controlling the movement of the fluid out of the bladder can be magnetically actuated by means of a small, practically harmless magnet, which is no larger than a small keychain and which can be easily transported everywhere by the user. Another advantage is that the incontinence valve does not require hand contact with the penis to function. Such manipulation is annoying for the patient and requires a certain dexterity. The use of this magnetic device requires little dexterity and no manipulation of the penis to actuate the incontinence valve. The use is done comfortably.

In consideration of the above, it will be understood that the multiple objects of the invention are achieved as well as other advantageous results.

As various modifications can be made concerning the above structures and methods, without departing from the scope of the invention, it is understood that all that is contained in the description above, or represented in the accompanying drawings, will be interpreted as illustrative and not limiting.

Claims (20)

1.- Catheter or urethral probe capable of being permanently installed, comprising: (a) a flexible oblong tubular element (12) comprising a passage (20) for the evacuation of fluid; (b) engaging means located at one of the end portions of said tubular member for engaging with the portion forming the neck of a bladder, said tubular member having an opening to said portion of end intended to create a communication with said fluid evacuation passage in order to evacuate fluid out of said bladder, through said fluid evacuation passage; (c) a valve means located in said tubular element, intended to control the movement of the fluid in said evacuation passage, from said bladder, said valve means being normally in the closed position in order to prevent flow. liquid in said valve means, and being capable of being magnetically actuated to be placed in the open position, in order to allow the flow of fluid in said valve means; (d) said valve means comprising a movable valve member (64), a valve seat, and urging means for urging said valve member into contact with said valve seat (66) when said valve means in said normal closed position; and (e) actuating means for applying a magnetic deflection force to said urging means to cause said valve member to exit from said valve seat to bring said valve means to said open position, such that the removal of the magnetic deflection force allows said urging means to automatically push said valve member back into said normal closed position. 2. - urethral probe capable of being permanently installed according to claim 1, wherein said pushing means (70) is constituted by a spring (72) comprising a fixed end part and an end part capable of being taken out from its position. 3. - urethral probe capable of being permanently installed according to claim 1, wherein said pushing means comprises a member (74) magnetically actionable, which occupies a first predetermined location relative to said valve seat when said element ( 64) of the valve is in said closed position, and is movable by magnetic effect to move away from said first predetermined location relative to said valve seat (66), when said valve element is in said open position. 4. - urethral probe capable of being permanently installed according to claim 3, wherein said member (74) capable of being actuated by magnetic effect is at a first predetermined distance from said valve seat when said valve element (64) is in said closed position, and at a second predetermined distance greater than said first predetermined distance from said valve seat (66) when said valve member (64) is in said open position. 5. - urethral probe capable of being permanently installed according to claim 1, in which said valve means comprises a longitudinal axis and in which the element capable of being actuated by magnetic effect is in axial alignment with said valve seat when said valve element (64) is in said closed position, said member (74) capable of being actuated by magnetic effect not being in axial alignment with said valve seat (66) when said valve element (64) is in the open position. 6. - urethral probe capable of being permanently installed according to claim 5, in which said member (74) capable of being actuated by 1 magnetic effect is offset with respect to the longitudinal axis when said valve element (64) is in said open position. 7. - urethral probe capable of being permanently installed according to claim 5, wherein said member (74) capable of being actuated by magnetic effect is oblique with respect to said longitudinal axis when said valve element (64) is in said open position. 8. - urethral probe capable of being permanently installed according to claim 3, wherein said member (74) capable of being actuated by magnetic effect consists of a magnetic material or capable of being attracted by magnetic effect. 9. - permanently installable urethral probe according to claim 3, wherein said member (74) capable of being actuated by magnetic effect has the general shape of a cylinder. 10. Urethral probe capable of being permanently installed according to claim 3, wherein said member (74) capable of being actuated by magnetic effect has opposite ends and in which said urging means comprise a spring (10) comprising opposite ends, one end of said member (74) capable of being actuated by magnetic effect being in contact with one of the ends of said spring, the other end of said spring being in a fixed position in said valve means and the another said end of said member (74) actuatable by magnetic effect which can be engaged with said valve element. 11. - Permanently installable urethral probe according to claim 10, wherein said valve element (64) is a ball. 12. - urethral probe capable of being permanently installed according to claim 1, wherein said valve element (64) is oriented in said tubular element so that the normal path of the flow of fluid in the tubular element s' runs in the direction from the valve seat (66) to the valve element (64). 13. - Permanently installable urethral probe according to claim 1, in which said valve element (64) is oriented in said tubular element in such a way that the normal path of the flow of fluid in the tubular element takes place in the direction going from the valve element (64) to the valve seat (66). 14. - Valve including: (a) a valve seat (66) having an orifice (68); (b) a valve element (64) capable of coming into contact with said seat (66) in order to close said orifice (68); (c) urging means (10) for urging said valve member (64) into contact with said valve seat (66) to normally maintain said port (68) in the closed position; (d) said pushing means (10) comprising a member (74) capable of being actuated by magnetic effect and of being deflected, comprising a first non-deflected position corresponding to the closed position of said valve, and a deflection position which allows said valve member to exit said valve seat (66) to place said valve in the open position; and (e) an external actuation means intended to apply a magnetic deflection force to said member (74) capable of being actuated by magnetic effect with the aim of causing said member (74) capable of being actuated by magnetic effect to exit. from its first position in which it is not deflected, in order to put said valve in said open position and in which the removal of said magnetic deflection force allows said pushing means (10) to automatically push said element (64) valve in said normal closed position. 15. - permanently installable urethral probe according to claim 14, in which said valve means comprises a longitudinal axis and in which said member (74) capable of being actuated by magnetic effect is in axial alignment with said valve seat when said valve element (64) is in said closed position, said member (74) capable of being actuated by magnetic effect not being in axial alignment with said valve seat (66) when said valve element is in said open position . 16. - urethral probe capable of being permanently installed according to claim 15, wherein said member (74) capable of being actuated by magnetic effect is offset with respect to said longitudinal axis when said valve element (64) is in said open position. 17. - urethral probe capable of being permanently installed according to claim 15, wherein said member (74) capable of being actuated by magnetic effect has the general shape of a cylinder. 18. - urethral probe capable of being permanently installed according to claim 15, in which said member (74) capable of being actuated by magnetic effect has opposite ends and in which said urging means further comprise a spring having opposite ends, one end of said member (74) capable of being actuated by magnetic effect being in contact with one end of said spring (10), the other end of said spring (10) being in a fixed position in said valve means and the other said end of said member (74) capable of being actuated by magnetic effect being capable of being brought into contact with said valve element. 19. - urethral probe capable of being permanently installed according to claim 18, wherein said valve element (64) is a ball. 20. - A method of evacuating fluid from the bladder comprising the following steps: (a) placing a catheter in the urethra and the bladder; (b) incorporation into the catheter of a valve capable of being actuated by magnetic effect under the control of the user, having the characteristic of being normally closed so that the valve is necessarily actuated to be placed in the open position , to allow drainage of the bladder through the catheter; (c) actuation of the valve to put it in the open position, by means of an external magnet (77) placed near the penis; and (d) removing the magnet (77) from the penis to allow the valve to return to the normal closed position.