An intestine dysfunction treatment apparatus comprises an electric stimulation
device (56) implanted in a patient, who suffers from intestine dysfunction.
The stimulation device comprises electric conductors adapted to directly engage
with a muscle that directly or indirectly affects the transportation of the content
of the patient's intestines, for example the anal sphincter (58) or a portion
of the muscle that contracts the bowels, to electrically stimulate the muscle to
increase the tonus thereof. A control device (62) is provided for controlling
a source of energy (64), which may or may not be implanted, to release electric
energy for use in connection with the power of the stimulation device. The apparatus
can be used for treating patients suffering from anal incontinence or constipation.
