Artificial sphincter device
US4878889A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 24, 1988 |
| Grant date | Nov 7, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 24, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S128/25
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Disclosed is an apparatus for controlling the discharge of materials through a body passage. The invention comprises a fluid actuated artificial sphincter mechanism that surrounds the body passage. The artificial sphincter includes an inflatable cuff surrounded by a hollow resilient C-shaped reservoir ring. The cuff, ring and pump are in fluid communication with each other. The fluid communication between the cuff and reservoir ring is controlled by a flow resistor means. In operation, the pump draws fluid from the cuff and diverts the fluid into a reservoir ring. By pumping the fluid from the cuff, the cuff deflates opening the body passage. Pumping the fluid into the reservoir ring increases the pressure in the ring causing the ring to open. As the ring opens the ring allows the cuff to move further away from the body passage opening the body passage further. The fluid displaced in the ring is continuously diverted from the reservoir ring back to the cuff. A flow resistor controls the flow rate of fluid back into the cuff. The resistor allows the cuff to gradually re-inflate to again occlude flow through the body passage.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.