Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 22, 2025
03:25
Transcorporal Artificial Urinary Sphincter Cuff Placement in a Case Requiring Revision for Urethral Atrophy
Published on: June 16, 2022
953
Artificial sphincters: An overview from existing devices to novel technologies
Ilaria Toniolo1,2, Maria Vittoria Mascolini1,2, Emanuele Luigi Carniel1,2
1Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
Artificial Organs
|November 14, 2022
Summary
Artificial sphincters (ASs) offer solutions for incontinence and GERD but have suboptimal outcomes. Novel AS designs focusing on tissue interaction and computational modeling are crucial for improved durability and patient results.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Medical Device Design
- Surgical Innovation
Background:
- Artificial sphincters (ASs) are implanted to restore function in cases of severe urinary incontinence (UI), fecal incontinence (FI), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
- Current AS devices, while functional, exhibit suboptimal clinical outcomes, with device malfunction (46-51%) and biological tissue side effects (e.g., infection, atrophy >38%) being primary failure modes.
- Understanding the interaction between ASs and biological tissues, particularly the closing mechanism and its impact, is critical for improving device efficacy and patient safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of existing commercial ASs for GERD, UI, and FI, analyzing their clinical outcomes.
- To discuss current advancements and future research directions in the development of novel ASs.
- To highlight the potential of computational methods in optimizing AS design for improved occlusion and minimized tissue damage.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing commercial artificial sphincter devices and their reported clinical outcomes for GERD, UI, and FI.
- Analysis of device-tissue interactions, focusing on the closing mechanism and associated biological effects.
- Exploration of ongoing developments and future research pathways, including the application of engineering principles and computational modeling.
Main Results:
- Commercial ASs demonstrate suboptimal clinical success rates due to device malfunction and adverse tissue reactions.
- Significant attention is being directed towards the interaction between ASs and surrounding biological tissues.
- Computational methods offer a promising approach to determine optimal occlusive forces and pressures, balancing efficacy with tissue health.
Conclusions:
- Improving AS design requires a focus on minimizing tissue damage and enhancing device durability.
- Future AS development should leverage engineering principles and advanced computational tools.
- Optimized AS design, considering individual patient variability, is key to enhancing healthcare quality and patient outcomes.
