The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 10, 1987
Filed:
Nov. 18, 1985
Charles D Baker, Lehi, UT (US);
Owen D Brimhall, Salt Lake City, UT (US);
Charles R Galway, Salt Lake City, UT (US);
University of Utah Research Institute, Salt Lake City, UT (US);
Abstract
An artificial sphincter apparatus and method, the artificial sphincter including a pair of parallel, coaxially mounted rings with at least one ring rotatable relative to the other. Optionally the rings are capable of being split open at their circumference and reclosed for mounting about a living tissue conduit for which surgical severing is not recommended. A plurality of circumferentially mounted tie members extend between the rings and are drawn laterally toward the center of the sphincter, narrowing a passageway therethrough, upon relative rotation between the rings. This action is capable of gently constricting a living tissue conduit within the passageway using a combination of rotational and circumferentially localized discrete radially compressive forces to control the flow of biological materials within the living tissue conduit. A cell impervious thin flexible tubular membrane envelopes the sphincter to isolate it from the immediate environment. The membrane has a central waist portion which fits within the openings in the rings and ends which fold outwardly around the sphincter for sealing together at the outer circumference thereof. In one embodiment of the invention such a membrane, when provided with compliant folds in the central waist portion thereof, replaces the plurality of tie members as a closure means for narrowing the passageway through the sphincter. Operation of the artificial sphincter after its implantation is effected by a number of disclosed remote and proximate actuation means.