Importance

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Abstract

A prosthetic sphincter is designed to surround a waste elimination passage in a patient, such as the lower colon or urethra for realizing continence. The artificial sphincter itself comprises a stationary ring and a rotatable ring supported for rotation by the stationary ring. Three occlusion elements extend from 120.degree. circumferentially spaced points on the rotatable ring to similarly oriented points on the stationary ring, offset from the first dimensioned points by a given number of degrees. The length of the various elements is such that when the rotatable ring is in a first position, the elements follow the inner peripheral curvature of the rings to maximize the opening through the rings and thus through the elimination passage circumscribed by said rings. When the rotatable ring is rotated to a second position, the displacement of the second ends of the elements from the first ends is increased, to cause all three elements to enter the opening and thereby occlude the elimination passage contained therein by applying pressure at 120.degree. circumferentially spaced areas, or at the appropriate angular degree division(s) with respect to the selected number of occlusion elements to achieve a state of prosthetic continence.

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First Claim