The spelling of the term "Artificial Urinary Sphincter" is complex and requires a knowledge of phonetics to parse properly. It can be broken down into its component sounds using IPA phonetic transcription. The term begins with the "ar" phoneme (represented by /ɑː/), which is followed by the "t" sound (/t/). The next sound is the voiced "sh" consonant (/ʃ/), which is followed by the "ih" vowel (/ɪ/). The rest of the word is spelled phonetically: "fih-sh-uhl" (/ˈfɪʃəl/) and "s-f-ihn-k-ter" (/sfɪŋktər/).
An artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) is a medical device designed to treat urinary incontinence, particularly in cases where the natural urinary sphincter is dysfunctional or damaged. The urinary sphincter is a muscular structure that controls the flow of urine from the bladder. When it is unable to effectively close, involuntary urine leakage may occur, causing incontinence.
The AUS is a surgically implanted device that serves as an artificial replacement for the natural urinary sphincter. It consists of three main components: a cuff, a pump, and a pressure regulating balloon. The cuff is placed around the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. When inflated, the cuff applies pressure to close off the urethra, preventing urine leakage. The pump is located in the scrotum (in males) or the labia (in females) and is used to deflate the cuff, allowing urine to pass. To prevent constant cuff pressure, a pressure regulating balloon is implanted in the abdomen and regulates the cuff inflation.
The AUS is typically controlled manually by the patient, who can activate the pump to release urine when convenient. However, some newer models can operate automatically based on pressure sensors, providing more convenience and discretion.
Overall, the artificial urinary sphincter is an effective and reliable treatment for urinary incontinence, improving the quality of life for individuals suffering from this condition.