The disclosure describes an optical fiber pressure sensor to measure
sphincter pressure which may be incorporated into a therapeutic sphincter
control system. The system senses sphincter pressure and sends the
information to a stimulator that is capable of stimulation therapy to
control sphincter contractility, thus reducing unwanted urinary
incontinence. Measuring sphincter pressure is accomplished through the
use of an optical fiber connected to flexible tube section placed through
the sphincter, where properties of the emitted light are changed
proportional to the pressure on the tube section. The light is returned
to a light detector to measure light properties and create an electrical
signal representative of the pressure on the tube section. The signal may
then be sent by wireless telemetry to an implanted stimulator or external
programmer.