Incontinence implant. Frontal X-ray of the pelvic region of a 67-year-old patient with an artificial urinary sphincter (white, circular, lower centre) implant to control urinary incontinence. This device is a doughnut-shaped sac that encircles the urethra and is filled and expanded using fluid to squeeze the urethra closed. By pressing a valve (white circle, upper left) implanted under the skin, the artificial sphincter can be deflated. This removes pressure from the urethra, allowing urine from the bladder to pass. Here, the sphincter is in the closed/inflated position.