Artificial sphincter apparatus and method

Claim 2

An artificial sphincter comprising: a first ring member and a second ring member rotatably mounted parallel and coaxially with the first ring member and at a predetermined distance from the first ring member; support means for supporting the first ring member relative to the second ring member; a plurality of tie members extending between the first ring member and the second ring member so that relative rotation between the ring members causes the tie members to constrict inwardly toward the axis of the first ring member and the second ring member; actuator means for rotating at least the first ring member relative to the second member; and a flexible, fluid-impervious membrane means enclosing the artificial sphincter.

Claim 3

The artificial sphincter defined in claim 1 wherein the first ring member and the second ring member each comprise split ring means for opening the first ring member and the second ring member and to encompass an object with the first ring member encircling the object at a first position and the second ring member encircling the object at a second position so that rotation of the second ring member relative to the first ring member causes said tie members to impart a constrictive movement against the object.

Claim 4

The artificial sphincter defined in claim 1 wherein the first ring member is configurated with a first diameter and the second ring member is configurated with a second diameter.

Claim 5

The artificial sphincter defined in claim 1 wherein the support means comprises an annularly arrayed support apparatus disposed about the axis of the first ring member and the second ring member.

Claim 6

The artificial sphincter defined in claim 1 wherein the support means comprises a support column offset from the axis of the first ring member and the second ring member.

Claim 7

The artificial sphincter defined in claim 1 wherein the tie members comprise a plurality of rods.

Claim 8

The artificial sphincter defined in claim 1 wherein the tie members comprise a plurality of cord means.

Claim 9

The artificial sphincter defined in claim 1 wherein the actuator means comprises detent means circumscribing the first ring member and actuator arm means operating in cooperating relationship with the detent means.

Claim 10

The artificial sphincter defined in claim 8 wherein the actuator arm means comprises a resilient arm and a stop, the resilient arm being curved outwardly from the plane of the first ring member and cooperating with the stop so that as the resilient arm is depressed toward the first ring member, the stop directs the arm into engagement with the detent means to turn the first ring member.

Claim 11

The artificial sphincter defined in claim 9 wherein the actuator arm means further comprises a dog for the detent means, the dog cooperating with the resilient arm to release the dog from the detent means when the resilient arm is depressed into contact with the detent means.

Claim 12

The artificial sphincter defined in claim 1 wherein the membrane means comprises a tubular element flaring outwardly at each end to a corresponding diameter so as to accomodate being inserted through the artificial sphincter and each end being folded toward each other and sealingly joined along the diameter.

Claim 13

An artificial sphincter comprising: a first split ring member; a second split ring member; support means for rotatably mounting the first split ring member coaxially with and parallel to the second split ring member at a fixed, predetermined distance; a plurality of tie members extending between the first split ring member and the second ring member so that rotation of the first split ring member relative to the second split ring member causes a generally transverse movement of the tie members relative to the axis of the artificial sphincter; actuator means for rotating the first split ring member; and a fluid-impervious envelope for the artificial sphincter.

Claim 14

An artificial sphincter comprising: a first split ring member; a second split ring member; support means for rotatably mounting the first split ring member coaxially with and parallel to the second split ring member at a fixed, predetermined distance; a plurality of tie members extending between the first split ring member and the second ring member so that rotation of the first split ring member relative to the second split ring member causes a generally transverse movement of the tie members relative to the axis of the artificial sphincter; actuator means for rotating the first split ring member; and a fluid-impervious envelope for the artificial sphincter.

Claim 17

The method defined in claim 13 wherein the mounting step comprises encircling the bowel with the first ring member, the second ring member and the tie members so that the constricting step includes imparting a constrictive force to the bowel.

Claim 18

An intestinal control valve for surrounding the anal-terminating descending intestine of a patient for realizing continence, said valve including in combination: (a) an upper stationary ring; (b) a lower rotatable ring in an axially aligned position with said stationary ring; (c) a plurality of rods extending from said lower rotatable ring through aligned openings in said upper stationary ring in directions parallel to and spaced a given radial distance from the axis of the rings when the rotatable ring is in a first position; and (d) a toroidal member having an inner flexible part extending between the rings surrounding the anal-terminating descending intestine with the rods passing externally of the flexible part and an outer rigid part passing externally around the rings and rods whereby rotation of said rotatable ring within said toroidal member through a given angle to a second position twists the rods to decrease the given radial distance of the centers of the rods from the axis of the rings to thereby radially contract and flexible part to controllably reduce the passage through the anal-terminating descending intestine.

Claim 19

An intestinal control valve for surrounding the anal-terminating descending intestine of a patient for realizing continence, said valve including in combination: (a) an upper stationary ring; (b) a lower rotatable ring in an axially aligned position with said stationary ring; (c) a plurality of rods extending from said lower rotatable ring through aligned openings in said upper stationary ring in directions parallel to and spaced a given radial distance from the axis of the rings when the rotatable ring is in a first position; and (d) a toroidal member having an inner flexible part extending between the rings surrounding the anal-terminating descending intestine with the rods passing externally of the flexible part and an outer rigid part passing externally around the rings and rods whereby rotation of said rotatable ring within said toroidal member through a given angle to a second position twists the rods to decrease the given radial distance of the centers of the rods from the axis of the rings to thereby radially contract and flexible part to controllably reduce the passage through the anal-terminating descending intestine.