Inflatable penile prosthesis with valves for increasing flow efficiency

Abstract

According to an aspect, an inflatable penile prosthesis (200) includes a reservoir (202) configured to hold fluid, an inflatable member (204), and a pump assembly (201) configured to facilitate a transfer of a fluid from the reservoir to the inflatable member. The pump assembly includes a pump bulb (231), and a valve body (440) defining a fluid passageway. The valve body includes a refill valve (450) disposed in the fluid passageway. The refill valve includes a valve member (464). In response to the pump bulb being compressed, the valve member moves within the fluid passageway in a first direction to a closed position in which the valve member blocks the fluid from being transferred around the refill valve. In response to the pump bulb being uncompressed, the valve member moves within thefluid passageway in a second direction to an open position in which the valve member allows the fluid to transfer around the refill valve.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] This application is a continuation of, and claims priority to, U.S. Nonprovisional Patent Application No. 16 / 377,480, entitled "INFLATABLE PENILE PROSTHESIS WITHVALVES FOR INCREASING FLOW EFFICIENCY," filed April 8, 2019, which claimed the 2018 Priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 654,837, entitled "INFLATABLE PENILEPROSTHESIS WITH VALVES FOR INCREASING FLOW EFFICIENCY," filed April 9, the disclosures of both applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. [0003] This application also claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 654,837, filed April 9, 2018, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. technical field [0004] The present disclosure relates generally to bodily implants, and more particularly to bodily implants such as dildos that include filling valves and / or expansion valves. Background technique [0005] One tr...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Multiple compression cycles eventually cause the expandable member to reach its limit in volume, resulting in increased column pressure

Increased column pressure results in higher valve cracking pressure, which also results in reduced fluid volume transfer

[0006] In some existing installations, the flow efficiency of the fill valve and the flow efficiency of the expansion valve may be limited by the vacuum created by the re-expansion of the pump bladder, the spring required to return the valve to the sealing position, and other sub-optimal passages Sub-optimal channel artifacts (eg, fluid path corners, oversized cavities, kink-resistant tube (KRT) restrictions, heavy return springs, viscous backfill, reservoir collapse, etc.)

Therefore, conventional fill valves and expansion valves may contain fluid flow restrictions that reduce flow efficiency

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