Abstract

A completely implantable prosthetic urinary sphincter has been implanted in two males and one female patient with urinary incontinence and neurologic, bladder dysfunction secondary to myelodysplasia. The employment of this device represents the first method of handling incontinence by a technic or device which itself does not cause any obstruction to the flow of urine. The use of this prosthetic sphincter is the first of a series of developments designed to provide for volitional control of micturition in the patient with neurologic bladder dysfunction. Combining this artificial sphincter with a bladder-volume sensor and a radio-coupled electrical bladder stimulator should restore normal urinary function to those patients who have sustained injury to the lower spinal cord