Artificial sphincter

Banik, M.S. (2004) Electroactive polymer based artificial sphincters and artificial muscle patches, US Patent 6,749,556, Jun. 15, 2004. 

A technique for the treatment of incontinence is the surgical implantation of an artificial sphincter. Such a sphincter includes an appropriately sized inflatable cuff that is positioned around either the urethra or the rectum, depending on the nature of incontinence. 

An artificial sphincter, which is an inflatable silicon cuff and coated with parylene [86] has been described. Parylene is an ideal material for this purpose as it provides a strong and wear-resistant surface, it is relatively slippery, it is fatigue-resistant, and it allows for repeated expansion and contraction with no negative effects. 

Kuyava CC, Westrum Jr JW, Nachreiner GJ, Inman Ml. Parylene coated components for artificial sphincters. US Patent 7681518, assigned to AMS Research Corporation, Minnetonka, MN 2010. 

Ducts and Canals.—Silicone rubber is widely used here as is poly(ethylene terephthalate) mesh. The fate of uteral prostheses in silicone rubber has been discussed together with a preliminary report of an artificial sphincter and a new vaginal prostheses in the same material. Preliminary histological evaluation of poly(ethylene terephthalate) mesh for tracheal reconstruction and the current status of laryngeal prostheses [principally in silicone rubber and polyfethylene terephthalate) mesh] is described. 

Taking a product from development to successful PMA usually requires at least seven years. The average time to FDA approval once all required testing is completed and submitted for review is 2-5 years [2. Lewin, N. Faster approvals seen for drug and device combination products. BBI Newsletter 2003 26(9).] Given the time and expense involved, a company must try to predict whether their product, nearly a decade in the future, will fill a significant market need and be profitable. Examples of PMA devices approved in the past include an artificial urinary sphincter a penile infiatable implant and electro-optical sensors for in vivo detection of cervical cancer. [3. http //www.fda.gov/cdrh/devadvice/pma/ (accessed October 2005).]... 

Treatment modalities such as clean intermittent catheterization, surgical continence procedures, bladder augmentation, and the use of artificial urinary sphincters in addition to pharmacological treatment have significantly improved the quality of life for neurourologically impaired children. Since... 

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