ARTIFICIAL SPHINCTER

Embodiments of an artificial sphincter (100) configured for implantation in an individual to assist in occluding a lumen (104) of the individual includes a cuff member (102), a reservoir (108) containing fluid, and a passageway (110). The cuff member includes a bladder (118), an anvil member (120), and a hammer member (122). The passageway fluidically couples the bladder to the reservoir. Inflation of the bladder drives the hammer member toward the anvil member. In a method of selectively occluding a lumen (104) of an individual, an artificial sphincter (100) is implanted in the individual by implanting a cuff member (102) around the lumen and implanting a reservoir (108) in the individual. The implantation of the cuff member around the lumen includes positioning an anvil member (120) and a hammer member (122) on opposing sides of the lumen. Fluid in the reservoir is pressurized using the reservoir. A bladder (118) of the cuff member is inflated by driving fluid from the reservoir into the bladder through a passageway (110) in response to the pressurized fluid in the reservoir. The lumen is pinched between the hammer member and the anvil member in response to the inflation of the bladder. The lumen is occluded in response to the pinching of the lumen. In another method of selectively occluding a lumen (104) of an individual, an artificial sphincter (100) is implanted in the individual by creating a folded section (140) in the lumen, implanting a cuff member (102) around the folded section, and implanting a reservoir (108) in the individual. Fluid in the reservoir is pressurized using the reservoir. A bladder (118) of the cuff member is inflated by driving fluid from the reservoir into the bladder through a passageway (110) in response to the pressurized fluid in the reservoir. The folded section of the lumen is pinched in response to the inflation of the bladder. The lumen is occluded in response to pinching the folded section of the lumen. Des modes de réalisation de la présente invention concernent un sphincter artificiel (100) configuré pour une implantation dans un individu pour assister l'occlusion d'une lumière (104) de l'individu, qui comprend un élément manchon (102), un réservoir (108) contenant un fluide et un passage (110). L'élément manchon comprend une vessie (118), un élément enclume (120) et un élément marteau (122). Le passage accouple fluidiquement la vessie au réservoir. Le gonflement de la vessie entraîne l'élément marteau vers l'élément