Artificial sphincter
First Claim
1. In a non-inflatable artificial mechanical sphincter of the type for implantation within a human body, said sphincter having means for occluding a duct;
- adjustable spring means associated with said occlusion means for increasing an occlusive force around said duct;
means associated with said spring means to mechanically control said increase of occlusive force; and
means responsive to an urging movement for releasing occlusion of said duct, wherein the improvement comprises;
means for preventing increase of said spring means beyond a predetermined tightening position to protect said duct from excessive or damaging occlusion.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An improved artificial sphincter for occluding a duct. The basic sphincter includes means to increase the occlusive force about the duct and means to control the increase of such occlusive force. To protect the duct from excessive or damaging occlusion the basic sphincter is improved by including means for preventing increase of the occlusive force about the duct beyond a predetermined position. An additional improvement includes means for adjusting the occlusive means after the sphincter has been implanted in a human or animal body to account for variations in fit about different ducts.
274 Citations
9 Claims
-
1. In a non-inflatable artificial mechanical sphincter of the type for implantation within a human body, said sphincter having means for occluding a duct;
- adjustable spring means associated with said occlusion means for increasing an occlusive force around said duct;
means associated with said spring means to mechanically control said increase of occlusive force; and
means responsive to an urging movement for releasing occlusion of said duct, wherein the improvement comprises;
means for preventing increase of said spring means beyond a predetermined tightening position to protect said duct from excessive or damaging occlusion. - View Dependent Claims (2)
- adjustable spring means associated with said occlusion means for increasing an occlusive force around said duct;
-
3. In an artificial mechanical sphincter of the type for implantation within a human body, said sphincter having means for occluding a duct including a looped flexible member capable of being adjusted to change the diameter formed by said loop, thereby changing said occlusive force about said duct, one end of said looped member being attached to a housing, said looped member including a compressible spring therein extending substantially the entire looped dimension;
- means for increasing an occlusive force about said duct by tightening said occlusive means including a cable connected to the distal end of said spring, extending therethrough, and connected to a wind-up drum located in said housing, whereby winding said drum in one direction shortens the length of said cable, compresses said spring and reduces the diameter of said looped member, then winding said drum in the opposite direction lengthens said cable decompresses said spring and increases said looped diameter about said duct;
means associated with said force increasing means to mechanically control said increase of occlusive force; and
means responsive to an urging movement for releasing occlusion of said duct, wherein the improvement comprises;
means for preventing increase of said occlusive force beyond a predetermined tightening position to protect said duct from excessive or damaging occlusion. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6)
- means for increasing an occlusive force about said duct by tightening said occlusive means including a cable connected to the distal end of said spring, extending therethrough, and connected to a wind-up drum located in said housing, whereby winding said drum in one direction shortens the length of said cable, compresses said spring and reduces the diameter of said looped member, then winding said drum in the opposite direction lengthens said cable decompresses said spring and increases said looped diameter about said duct;
-
7. In an artificial mechanical sphincter of the type for implantation within a human body, said sphincter having means for occluding a duct;
- means for increasing an occlusive force about said duct by tightening said occlusive means;
means associated with said force increasing means to mechanically control said increase of occlusive force; and
means responsive to an urging movement for releasing occlusion of said duct, wherein the improvements comprise;
means for preventing increase of said occlusive force beyond a predetermined tightening position to protect said duct from excessive or damaging occlusion, and means for adjusting said occlusive means after said sphincter has been implanted to account for variations in fit about said duct. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
- means for increasing an occlusive force about said duct by tightening said occlusive means;
Specification