Implantable electric bidirectional micropump for use in surgical procedures for erectile dysfunction via a hydraulic penile implant

Abstract

Implantable system for transporting a fluid in the human or animal body, comprising: • a reservoir (10) for receiving the liquid and • at least one cylinder (30), characterized in that • an electric micropump (20) is fluidically connected directly to the reservoir (10) and the at least one cylinder (30) to pump the fluid between them, • wherein the micropump (20) is positioned and designed in such a way that a separate, manual pump with its connecting lines is not required. • wherein the micropump (20) is arranged in close proximity to the reservoir (10) and is positioned and designed in such a way that the pump is no longer placed in the scrotum.

Description

[0001] A hydraulic penile implant is a three-part medical device used to treat severe erectile dysfunction. It consists of two cylinders inserted into the corpora cavernosa of the penis, a pump placed in the scrotum, and a fluid reservoir in the abdomen. Activating the pump draws saline solution from the reservoir into the cylinders, creating an erection that subsides once the cylinders are emptied.

[0002] Aside from the discomfort caused by the placement of the manual pump in the scrotum, its tubing is the primary cause of complications, leading to revision surgery in 70 to 80% of cases. This is due to either material fatigue and / or bacterial infections.

[0003] Manually filling and emptying the cylinders is difficult and painful, both initially and later on. Emptying the cylinders from the penis requires not only pressing the pump but also simultaneously squeezing the penis firmly to restore its flattened position.

[0004] The procedure performed specifically for this pump, involving a vertical incision to open the scrotum, is often associated with severe postoperative pain due to hematomas, which also represent an increased risk of infection.

[0005] The average operating time today is 90 minutes, with the placement of the pump and tubing taking up a large portion of that time. The complexity of the operation would also be significantly reduced with an electric micropump. Solution to the problem:

[0006] The object of the invention is achieved by the device specified in claim 1. By arranging an electric bidirectional micropump (20) that is fluidically directly connected to the reservoir (10) and the cylinders (30), the separate, manual pump in the scrotum and its connecting lines are eliminated. This reduces the complexity of the operation, eliminates the main cause of revision surgeries, reduces the risk of infection, and significantly increases patient comfort.

[0007] Description of Fig. 1 (State of the art): Reservoir (10) in the abdominal cavity Manual pump (50) in the scrotum Two cylinders (30) in the penis Several long cables between all components Arrows indicate fluid path

[0008] Description of Fig. 2: Reservoir (10) with integrated electric pump (20) in the abdominal cavity No more pump in the scrotum No more long cables Direct, short connection to the cylinders The scrotum is empty / free Remote control (40) Control unit, Bluetooth...

Claims

[1] Implantable system for transporting a fluid in the human or animal body, comprising: • a reservoir (10) for receiving the liquid and • at least one cylinder (30), characterized by , that • an electric micropump (20) is fluidically connected directly to the reservoir (10) and the at least one cylinder (30) to pump the fluid between them, • wherein the micropump (20) is positioned and designed in such a way that a separate, manual pump with its connecting lines is not required. • wherein the micropump (20) is arranged in close proximity to the reservoir (10) and is positioned and designed in such a way that the pump is no longer placed in the scrotum. [2] Implantable system according to claim 1, characterized bythat it is designed to treat erectile dysfunction as a hydraulic penile implant, wherein the system comprises two cylinders (30) and the fluid is a saline solution. [3] Implantable system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the electric micropump (20) is designed as a bidirectional pump. [4] Implantable system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that it further comprises a control unit (40) which is designed to be remotely controlled from the outside by the patient in order to trigger a pumping operation of the micropump in both directions -(20). [5] Implantable system according to claim 4, characterized by that the control is carried out via a wireless communication connection, preferably a Bluetooth or RFID connection. [6] Implantable system according to claim 4 or 5, characterized by, that the control unit (40) is configured so that it cannot exceed a predefined maximum dose of the liquid per unit of time. [7] Implanted system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the surface of the micropump (20), the reservoir (10) and the cylinders (30) is provided with an antibacterial coating. [8] Implanted system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the antibacterial coating includes a silver coating and / or a coating with antibiotics.

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