Medical device comprising an artificial contractile structure

Medical device comprising:

• an artificial contractile structure comprising at least one contractile element adapted to contract an organ, in such way that said contractile element is in a resting or in an activated position, the activated position being defined with said contractile element constricting the organ and the resting position being defined with said contractile element not constricting the organ,
• at least one actuator,
• at least one control unit comprising and controlling said actuator,
• at least one source of energy for powering said actuator,
• wherein said actuator is designed to activate said contractile structure in such a way that the ratio “current which is needed to maintain the contractile element in its activated position and in its resting position/current which is needed to move the contractile element between its activated position and its resting position” is less than 1/500, and wherein said medical device further comprises means for reducing corrosion of the medical device.

Medical device comprising:

• an artificial contractile structure comprising at least one contractile element adapted to contract an organ, in such way that said contractile element is in a resting or in an activated position, the activated position being defined with said contractile element constricting the organ and the resting position being defined with said contractile element not constricting the organ,
• at least one actuator comprising at least one electromotor and transmission means linked to the contractile element and designed to transmit to the contractile element a force induced by said electromotor,
• at least one control unit comprising and controlling said actuator,
• at least one source of energy for powering said actuator,
• wherein said actuator comprises a internal magnetic coupling device designed to transmit to the contractile element a force induced by the electromotor.

Method for assisting or replacing a natural sphincter, comprising the use of a medical device comprising:

• an artificial contractile structure comprising at least one contractile element adapted to contract an organ, in such way that said contractile element is in a resting or in an activated position, the activated position being defined with said contractile element constricting the organ and the resting position being defined with said contractile element not constricting the organ,
• at least one actuator,
• at least one control unit comprising and controlling said actuator,
• at least one source of energy for powering said actuator,
• wherein said actuator is designed to activate said contractile structure in such a way that the ratio “current which is needed to maintain the contractile element in its activated position and in its resting position/current which is needed to move the contractile element between its activated position and its resting position” is less than 1/500, and wherein said medical device further comprises means for reducing corrosion of the medical device.

Method for assisting or replacing a natural sphincter, comprising the use of a medical device comprising:

• an artificial contractile structure comprising at least one contractile element adapted to contract an organ, in such way that said contractile element is in a resting or in an activated position, the activated position being defined with said contractile element constricting the organ and the resting position being defined with said contractile element not constricting the organ,
• at least one actuator comprising at least one electromotor and transmission means linked to the contractile element and designed to transmit to the contractile element a force induced by said electromotor,
• at least one control unit comprising and controlling said actuator,
• at least one source of energy for powering said actuator,
• wherein said actuator comprises a internal magnetic coupling device designed to transmit to the contractile element a force induced by the electromotor.

Method for assisting or replacing a paralyzed muscle, comprising the use of a medical device comprising:

• an artificial contractile structure comprising at least one contractile element adapted to contract an organ, in such way that said contractile element is in a resting or in an activated position, the activated position being defined with said contractile element constricting the organ and the resting position being defined with said contractile element not constricting the organ,
• at least one actuator,
• at least one control unit comprising and controlling said actuator,
• at least one source of energy for powering said actuator,
• wherein said actuator is designed to activate said contractile structure in such a way that the ratio “current which is needed to maintain the contractile element in its activated position and in its resting position/current which is needed to move the contractile element between its activated position and its resting position” is less than 1/500, and wherein said medical device further comprises means for reducing corrosion of the medical device.

Method assisting or replacing a paralyzed muscle, comprising the use of a medical device comprising:

• an artificial contractile structure comprising at least one contractile element adapted to contract an organ, in such way that said contractile element is in a resting or in an activated position, the activated position being defined with said contractile element constricting the organ and the resting position being defined with said contractile element not constricting the organ,
• at least one actuator comprising at least one electromotor and transmission means linked to the contractile element and designed to transmit to the contractile element a force induced by said electromotor,
• at least one control unit comprising and controlling said actuator,
• at least one source of energy for powering said actuator,
• wherein said actuator comprises a internal magnetic coupling device designed to transmit to the contractile element a force induced by the electromotor.