Artificial Sphincter Pressure Compensation for Sudden Abdominal Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inflatable artificial sphincters fail to effectively occlude excretory body passages during sudden pressure increases in the abdomen, leading to unintentional leaks.
Innovation Solution
The artificial sphincter incorporates a pressure sensitive check valve that allows fluid from a pressure compensation balloon to freely flow to the inflatable occlusion means, ensuring effective occlusion even with sudden abdominal pressure increases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional inflatable artificial sphincter is used, then the device structure is simple, but the device fails to effectively occlude the excretory body passage during sudden pressure increases in the abdomen
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure compensation balloon is pre-filled with pressurizing fluid and positioned in the abdominal cavity before use. When sudden abdominal pressure occurs, the balloon automatically activates by allowing fluid to flow through the pressure-sensitive check valve to the occlusion means, providing preliminary protection against leaks without requiring patient action or complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure compensation balloon acts as an intermediary element between the abdominal pressure environment and the occlusion means. It mediates the sudden pressure changes by capturing and redirecting the pressurizing fluid through the pressure-sensitive check valve to maintain occlusion effectiveness, isolating the occlusion means from direct abdominal pressure fluctuations.
2Reliability
If a pressure compensation balloon with pressure sensitive check valve is added, then the occlusion effectiveness during sudden pressure increase is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure-sensitive check valve enables the pressure compensation balloon to automatically respond to abdominal pressure changes without external control. The valve self-activates when pressure differential occurs, allowing fluid to flow from the balloon to the occlusion means, and self-closes when pressure equalizes, eliminating the need for pumps, sensors, or control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses hydraulic principles with incompressible pressurizing fluid to transmit pressure changes from the abdominal cavity through the pressure compensation balloon and pressure-sensitive check valve to the occlusion means. This hydraulic transmission provides immediate and proportional response to pressure changes without mechanical linkages or electronic controls.
3Ease of operation
If the pressure compensation balloon is filled with isotonic fluid, then the fluid can be freely transferred, but the fluid may become contaminated during surgery or use, resulting in solid particle content that can clog the flow retarder or check valves
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the physical parameters of the pressurizing fluid by using sterile, filtered fluid with controlled viscosity and purity. The fluid is pre-sterilized and filtered to remove particles before being filled into the pressure compensation balloon and occlusion means, maintaining its ability to flow freely while preventing contamination and clogging during surgical implantation and subsequent use.
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
This design prevents urinary leaks during coughing or laughing by instantly conveying sudden abdominal pressure increases to the inflatable occlusion means, maintaining effective occlusion and continence.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensitive check valve which is located in between the pressure compensation balloon and the lumen of said balloon holder (11) and which always allows fluid flow from the pressure compensation balloon (24) towards the lumen (28) so that the fluid contained in the pressure compensation balloon is freely flowable towards the inflatable occlusion means (20)
Implementation Method 2
a sudden pressure increase which occurs in the abdomen of a patient is instantly conveyed to the inflatable occlusion means (20)
Data Source
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AI summary
The artificial sphincter (1) comprises an inflatable occlusion means (20) for occluding a body passage, a stretchable fluid reservoir (23), a pump means (7) and an occlusion means (20). A pressurizing fluid is selectively transferred from the occlusion means to the reservoir for deflating the occlusion means so that a blocked body passage may be opened. The artificial sphincter (1) also comprises a semipermeable check valve (30) which always allows fluid flow towards the stretchable fluid reservoir (23). A semipermeable check valve (30) allows only a restricted fluid flow from the stretchable fluid reservoir (23). A pressure sensitive check valve (3) is located in between the pressure compensation balloon (24) and the lumen of said balloon holder (11). The pressure sensitive check valve (3) always allows fluid flow from the pressure compensation balloon (24) towards the lumen (28) so that the fluid contained in the pressure compensation balloon is freely flowable towards the inflatable occlusion means (20) and, in use, a sudden pressure increase which occurs in the abdomen of a patient is instantly conveyed to the inflatable occlusion means (20).