# US 11,896,471 B2 · Biased artificial sphincter cuff

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- Number: US 11,896,471 B2
- Document ID: US11896471B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/455,803
- Filed: 2021-11-19
- Published: 2022-03-10
- Granted: 2024-02-13
- Earliest claimed: 2008-12-23
- Assignees: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
- Applicants: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
- Inventors: Buddy L. Snow
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11896471B2

## CPC

- A61F 2/004: {inflatable}
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)

## Abstract

A cuff for use an as artificial sphincter includes an inflatable chamber and a backing. The inflatable chamber includes opposing inside and outside surfaces and inflated and deflated states. The backing is adjacent the outside surface of the chamber. The inside surface of the chamber includes two or more grooves that define the location of fold lines of the inflatable chamber when the inflatable chamber is in the inflated state. The inflatable chamber and backing are configured to surround a duct of a patient with the inside surface of the chamber facing the duct and the grooves extending substantially parallel to the duct.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus, comprising:
an inflatable chamber having an inside surface, an outside surface opposite the inside surface, an inflated state, and a deflated state; and
a backing adjacent the outside surface of the chamber, the backing including a flexible member, a first reinforcing member, and a second reinforcing member, the first reinforcing member being disposed at a location spaced from the second reinforcing member, the first reinforcing member being coupled to the flexible member such that the flexible member is disposed between the first reinforcing member and the inflatable chamber; and
the inflatable chamber and backing are configured to surround a duct of a patient with the inside surface of the chamber facing the duct,
wherein the apparatus is biased into a square shape when installed around the duct.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inflatable chamber is attached to the backing.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first reinforcing member is formed of a silicone elastomer reinforced with polyester yarn.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first reinforcing member is attached to a surface of the flexible member.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inflatable chamber and backing are configured to surround a duct of a female patient.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inflatable chamber and backing are configured to surround a urethra of a patient.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inflatable chamber and backing are configured to surround a rectum of a female patient.

### Claim 8

An apparatus, comprising:
an inflatable chamber having an inside surface, an outside surface opposite the inside surface, an inflated state, and a deflated state; and
a backing adjacent the outside surface of the chamber, the backing including a flexible member, a first reinforcing member, and a second reinforcing member, the first reinforcing member being disposed at a location spaced from the second reinforcing member, the first reinforcing member being coupled to the flexible member such that the flexible member is disposed between the first reinforcing member and the inflatable chamber; and
the inflatable chamber and backing are configured to surround a duct of a patient with the inside surface of the chamber facing the duct,
wherein the first reinforcing member is formed of a silicone elastomer reinforced with polyester yarn.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the apparatus is biased into a triangular shape when installed around the duct.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the inflatable chamber is attached to the backing.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first reinforcing member is attached to a surface of the flexible member.

### Claim 12 (depends on 8)

The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the inflatable chamber and backing are configured to surround a duct of a female patient.

### Claim 13 (depends on 8)

The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the inflatable chamber and backing are configured to surround a urethra of a patient.

### Claim 14 (depends on 8)

The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the inflatable chamber and backing are configured to surround a rectum of a female patient.