Biomimetic Artificial Bladder with Wrinkled Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bladder replacement techniques, such as urinary diversion and intestinal reservoir formation, lead to complications like renal function deterioration, infection, and quality of life issues due to reabsorption of toxins and lack of contractile force, especially for bladder cancer patients and those with nonfunctioning bladders.
Innovation Solution
A biocompatible artificial bladder with an expandable and contractible inner wall, a sensor with a wrinkled structure to detect urine volume, and a control unit that uses a two-way pump to manage fluid flow for effective urination, preventing calcification and fibrosis through specific material compositions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If urinary diversion is performed to replace the bladder, then the bladder can be removed and urine can be drained externally, but the patient's appearance changes and quality of life deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The artificial bladder is nested within the patient's body cavity, with the reservoir portion positioned inside the abdominal cavity and the urethral portion extending to the urethra. This nesting approach allows the artificial bladder to function internally without external drainage bags, preserving patient appearance and quality of life while replacing bladder function.
Solution Approach 2:
The artificial bladder acts as an intermediary organ between the ureters and urethra, receiving urine from the ureters through the inlet port and discharging it through the outlet port to the urethra. This intermediary structure eliminates the need for external drainage while maintaining proper urine flow and function.
2Quantity of substance
If a reservoir is formed using the small intestine to store urine, then urine can be stored in the body, but uremic toxins and electrolytes are reabsorbed causing complications
Solution Approach 1:
The material composition of the reservoir portion is specifically designed to be biocompatible and non-absorptive, changing the physical and chemical parameters of the reservoir material to prevent reabsorption of uremic toxins and electrolytes while maintaining urine storage capacity. The material is selected to be inert to urine components.
Solution Approach 2:
The artificial bladder is constructed using composite materials that combine the properties of urine resistance, biocompatibility, and non-absorptiveness. The reservoir portion uses specific composite materials that prevent toxin reabsorption while maintaining structural integrity and flexibility for urine storage.
3Quantity of substance
If a small intestine reservoir is used for urine storage, then urine can be stored in the body, but the reservoir cannot generate contractile force for effective urination
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet port is designed with dynamic control capabilities, allowing the opening and closing of the outlet to regulate urine discharge. The control unit receives signals from the sensor and actuates the outlet port to open when urine discharge is needed, providing dynamic control similar to natural bladder function. The reservoir portion is also designed to be expandable and contractible to generate the necessary force for urination.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor detects the volume of urine stored in the reservoir and provides feedback to the control unit. When the urine volume reaches a certain level, the sensor signals the control unit to open the outlet port for discharge, creating a feedback control system that enables effective urination without requiring continuous external monitoring or manual intervention.
4Ease of operation
If a Foley catheter is used for long-term urination in nonfunctioning bladder patients, then urination can be maintained, but renal function deteriorates and infections occur
Solution Approach 1:
The artificial bladder with sensor and control unit operates autonomously to monitor urine volume and control discharge timing. The system self-regulates the urination process by detecting when the reservoir is full and automatically opening the outlet port for discharge, eliminating the need for continuous Foley catheter use and reducing infection risk while maintaining renal function.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The artificial bladder enables active, biocompatible urination for patients, reducing the risk of complications and improving quality of life by accurately detecting bladder fullness and controlling urine discharge.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor which is attached to the inner wall, has a surface having a wrinkled structure, and is provided so that, when a volume of the first reservoir portion increases, the wrinkled structure stretches out and resistance of the sensor changes
Data Source
AI summary
An artificial bladder is provided, including: a main body which includes an inlet port, an outlet port, an inner wall that forms a first reservoir portion configured to store urine between the inlet port and the outlet port and that is expandable and contractible. An outer wall forms a second reservoir portion configured to surround at least a partial region of the inner wall. A sensor is attached to the inner wall, has a surface having a wrinkled structure, and is provided so that, when the volume of the first reservoir portion increases, the wrinkled structure stretches out and resistance of the sensor changes. A control unit is provided to discharge the urine in the first reservoir portion through the outlet port according to a result detected by the sensor.