Adjustable Implantable Sling for Urinary Incontinence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgically implantable devices for treating male urinary incontinence, such as the In-Vance sling and Artificial Urinary Sphincter, are difficult to secure into position, often causing patient discomfort and suboptimal clinical outcomes due to the need for bone anchors and complex procedures, and lack adjustable tensioning mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The development of implantable devices with elongated extension members that can be secured around the pubic rami without bone anchors, featuring a trapezoidal body member and adjustable tensioning via sutures, along with specialized introducers for minimally invasive implantation and postoperative adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bone anchors and complex procedures are used to secure the device, then the device can be secured into position, but patient discomfort increases and the procedure becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes bone anchors from the device system entirely. The device is secured using only sutures passed through the pubic rami and tied in a square knot configuration, eliminating the need for separate bone anchor components and their complex insertion procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The device consists of multiple discrete components including a body portion, first and second legs, and first and second arms that can be independently manipulated and positioned. This segmentation allows for simplified surgical placement without requiring complex assembly of integrated components.
2Reliability
If the device is made adjustable for optimal tensioning, then treatment efficacy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates adjustable tensioning through sutures that can be tightened or loosened to achieve optimal urethral support. The square knot configuration allows for dynamic adjustment of the device's tension on the urethra, enabling customization for each patient's specific incontinence severity.
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable device includes a body member having a bottom side that is parallel to a top side; a pair of legs extending from the bottom side of the body member; and a pair of arms extending from the body member perpendicular to the pair of legs and a second arm extending from the body member perpendicular to the pair of legs.