Patent ID: 7407479
Filing Date: 2008-08-05
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for treating an anal or urinary incontinent patient comprises a constriction device implantable in the patient for engaging the patient's large intestine or urethra, the constriction device including an adjustable constriction member for constricting the patient's large intestine or urethra to close the intestinal or urethral lumen and release the large intestine or urethra to open the intestinal or urethral lumen, the constriction member having first and second end portions, a connection device for releasably connecting the first and second end portions of the constriction member to each other, and an implantable adjustment device that adjusts the constriction member to change the constriction of the large intestine or urethra, the connection device including a female part and a male part for insertion into the female part, the male part comprising a shank and a spherical head on the end of the shank and the female part comprising two jaws with an open front and two open sides, the jaws defining a semi-circular bore and a passage narrower than and extending from the bore to the open front of the jaws for removably receiving the spherical head and the shank, respectively, the bore being larger in volume than the spherical head of the male part, the male part being locked to the female part, after the spherical head and shank have been inserted through one of the open sides of the jaws into the bore and passage, respectively, by displacing the spherical head within the semi-circular bore in the direction of the passage and the shank along the passage away from the bore and towards the open front of the jaws, whereupon the longitudinal extension of the constriction member in the loop can be adjusted to constrict the large intestine or urethra without the male part separating from the female part.