An artificial device designed to correct incontinence. Sphincters are the rings of muscle that narrow or close off a passageway by contracting. Two common sphincters are located at the anus and at the opening from the bladder to the urethra. Because the efficiency of muscle sphincters declines with age, the inability to control the passage of urine or feces most frequently occurs in older people. Artificial urinary sphincters have been successfully used to treat urinary incontinence since the 1970s. More recently, artificial anal sphincters have been used to control fecal incontinence.
A valve or similar device that is surgically crafted to manage or prevent the involuntary release of urine or feces.