Artificial sphincter

• US 20060047180A1
• Filed: 08/25/2005
• Published: 03/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Pavad Medical, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Pavad Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: Choi, George Yoseung, Hegde, Anant V., Buch, Wally S.
• Application Number:
  US11/213,438
• Publication Number:
  US 20060047180A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0004 Closure means for urethra or rectum, i.e. anti-incontinence devices or support slings against pelvic prolapse
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0022 placed deep in the body opening occluding blood vessels by internal devices A61B17/12022
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0031 for constricting the lumen; Support slings for the urethra
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0036 implantable A61F2/0018 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/14 Macromolecular materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/50 Materials characterised by their function or physical properties , e.g. injectable or lubricating compositions, shape-memory materials, surface modified materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0512 Anal electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control

Abstract

A biologically implantable artificial sphincter system and methods of using the same is disclosed. The artificial sphincter system disclosed herein comprises a support and an electroactive polymer element, both of which are adapted and configured to open and/or close a body cavity. The artificial sphincter systems are useful in the treatment of urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and reflux disorders. The implanted artificial sphincter can also provide a signal to the recipient to urinate or defecate.

Claims

2-1. The sphincter of claim 2, wherein the passage is substantially circumscribed by a sheath.

12. An implantable control device comprising an electroactive polymer actuator, an enclosure, and a power management device;

wherein said enclosure is configured to encompass a body cavity, said electroactive polymer actuator and said enclosure are configured to constrict said body cavity, and said power management device is adapted to connect to said electroactive polymer actuator.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein said electroactive polymer actuator is an ion exchange polymer metal composite material.

14. The device of claim 12 wherein said body cavity is a urethra, lower esophagus, lower gastro-intestinal tract, or rectum.

15. The implantable control device of claim 12 further comprising a coating to prevent tissue growth.

16. The sphincter of claim 12 further comprising a coating to promote tissue growth.

17. The implantable control device of claim 12 further comprising an inductive coupling mechanism adapted to connect the electroactive polymer actuator to the power management device.

18. A method of controlling passage of contents across a body cavity comprising:

implanting a control device around a body cavity, said device comprising an electroactive polymer actuator, an enclosure, and a power management device;

controlling a flow of contents in said body cavity, said control being performed by constricting and unconstricting said body cavity between said electroactive polymer actuator and said enclosure.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein said control of flow of contents in said body cavity is in response to transcutaneous feedback from said body cavity, said feedback being related to the contents in said body cavity.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein said body cavity is a urethra, lower esophagus, lower gastro-intestinal tract, or rectum.

21. The method of claim 18 wherein said control device is coated with an agent to prevent tissue growth around said control device.

22. The sphincter of claim 18 further comprising a coating to promote tissue growth.

23. The method of claim 18 wherein said control device is controlled by an inductive coupling mechanism.

24. A method of treating a disease using an artificial sphincter comprising:

implanting an artificial sphincter around a body cavity, said artificial sphincter comprising an electroactive polymer element and a support;

closing said body cavity with the artificial sphincter by applying a mechanical force on said body cavity between said support and said electroactive polymer element; and

opening said body cavity by transmitting an electrical signal to the electroactive polymer element.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein said disease is urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, or reflux disease.

26. The method of claim 24 wherein said artificial sphincter is coated with an agent to prevent tissue growth around said artificial sphincter.

27. The sphincter of claim 24 further comprising a coating to promote tissue growth.

28. The method of claim 24 wherein said artificial sphincter is controlled by an inductive coupling mechanism.