×

Artificial sphincter

  • US 4,417,567 A
  • Filed: 11/17/1981
  • Issued: 11/29/1983
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/12/1981
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
Patent Images

1. In an artificial sphincter for controlling the flow of fluid through a body passage which comprises an inflatable occlusion means which is normally inflated with hydraulic fluid to close the body passage, a source of pressurizing fluid for keeping the occlusion means inflated, pump means for sucking hydraulic fluid from the inflatable occlusion means to cause it to deflate and the body passage to open, and tubing connecting the pump means to the inflatable occlusion means and to the source of pressurizing fluid to form a closed system;

  • the improvement which comprises pressure intensifying means for increasing the pressure in the occlusion means and preventing a temporary increase in fluid pressure in the body passage from causing fluid to leak past the occlusion means, said pressure intensifying means comprising a normally open pressure actuated valve for cutting off flow from the occlusive means to the pump means and the source of pressurizing fluid and a second pump means containing pressurizing fluid and operatively connected by a second length of tubing to both the pressure actuated valve and the occlusion means so that when said second pump means is operated both additional fluid is introduced into the occlusion means to increase the pressure therein and the pressure actuated valve is closed to prevent the additional fluid from leaving the occlusion means until the increased pressure is no longer needed.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×