Affluent Medical successfully completes the first implantation of its Artus artificial sphincter

On March 12, 2024, Affluent Medical announced the success of the first implantation in humans of its Artus medical device, intended for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence. The operation, deemed minimally invasive, took place in Prague, Czech Republic, marking a key milestone for the French MedTech company. The patient, a 68-year-old man suffering from severe urinary incontinence, was discharged from the hospital five days later without complications.

The Artus implantation procedure, which was activated six weeks post-operatively once healing was complete, aims to address a significant medical need, affecting 400 million patients worldwide. The Artus artificial sphincter promises adaptation to patients' lifestyles thanks to remote control, aiming to simplify its use and minimize the risks associated with its implantation.

This advance is seen as hope for a better quality of life for people suffering from urinary incontinence. Affluent Medical plans to treat ten men as part of its European “Dry” pilot study by the second half of 2024, before initiating trials in women. This innovation could be part of a rapidly expanding medical device market for the treatment of urinary incontinence, estimated at $4.3 billion by 2027.