Patent ID: 6432038
Filing Date: 2002-08-13
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
A generally cylindrical ring shaped artificial urinary sphincter comprising:a) an outer cuff having inner and outer ends and an inner and an outer overlap portion near said inner and outer ends, respectively; b) an elastic inner cuff encircled by said outer cuff and comprising an outer wall adjacent said outer cuff, and interconnecting, fluid-containing inner cuff chambers having inner ends adapted to be adjacent said urethra, said cuff chambers being partially divided by inner cuff walls extending generally radially from said inner ends to points near said outer wall, said inner cuff having an outer chamber wall defining the beginning of said outer cuff outer overlap portion, and an inner chamber wall at an outer cuff inner end, thus defining a void space allowing the urethra to slide therethrough during cuff installation; and c) a push button assembly mounted for relative movement near said outer cuff in said inner overlap portion; d) said push button assembly comprising: 1) an outer base: 2) a closure assembly; and 3) a push button; 4) said outer base being mounted at its inner end to said outer cuff in said overlap portion, and extending outward to receive said push button; e) said closure assembly being mounted within said push button assembly and being engaged with said outer cuff inner overlap portion at an inner end and with said push button at an outer end; f) said closure assembly of said push button assembly being so constructed that, upon repeated pushing of said push button, said closure assembly alternately presses said inner overlap portion inward so as to compress said inner cuff around said urethra, thereby closing said urethra, and relaxes pressure on said inner overlap portion, thereby relaxing said inner cuff, and thereby opening said urethra.