Artificial Sphincter Dynamic Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing artificial sphincter systems require high and constant pressure to reliably close the urine-carrying vessel, leading to potential damage and limited adaptability to changes in the patient's body, necessitating invasive adjustments.
Innovation Solution
An artificial sphincter with an implantable elastic reservoir and a first electrically driven pump that adjusts pressure dynamically, using inherent elasticity for occlusion and allowing flexible pressure settings, along with a second emergency pump and controllable valve for reliable closure and easy operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high and constant pressure is applied to the occlusion device to reliably close the urine-carrying vessel in stress situations, then the reliability of vessel closure is improved, but the risk of vessel damage by atrophy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the pressure in the occlusion device based on detected stress situations. During normal operation, lower pressure is applied to prevent vessel damage. When a stress situation is detected (coughing, sneezing, physical activity), the system automatically increases the pressure to maintain reliable closure. This dynamic pressure adjustment resolves the contradiction between maintaining high reliability and preventing vessel atrophy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that detect stress situations and provide feedback to the control device. Based on this feedback, the control device adjusts the pump operation to modify the pressure in the occlusion device accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the system to respond to changing conditions and maintain optimal pressure levels for both reliability and vessel protection.
2Reliability
If the system is designed for maximum pressure to ensure reliable closure in stress situations, then the reliability of closure is improved, but the adaptability to changes in the patient's body deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides flexible pressure adjustment through programmable pressure levels and dynamic modification based on detected stress situations. The control device can be programmed with different pressure levels to match changing patient needs, and the system can dynamically adjust pressure in response to detected stress events. This resolves the contradiction by making the system adaptable to both maximum pressure requirements and changing anatomical conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows modification of pressure parameters through programming different pressure levels in the control device. This enables adaptation to changes in the patient's body by adjusting the pressure parameters without requiring invasive interventions. The system can operate at different pressure levels depending on the specific needs of the patient at different times.
3Ease of operation
If a mechanical pump is used to return hydraulic fluid from the occlusion device to the reservoir, then the ease of operation is improved for manual pumping, but the device complexity and difficulty of operation for physically weak patients increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the traditional manual mechanical pump with an electrically driven pump that can be actuated by the patient through simple electrical signals. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical pumping mechanisms while providing easier operation for physically weak and paralyzed patients. The electric pump can be controlled through external remote control or internal buttons, making operation simple and accessible.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates an electrically driven pump that can be operated by the patient through simple electrical actuation, reducing the physical effort required compared to manual mechanical pumping. The pump serves the function of returning hydraulic fluid automatically when activated, making the system more suitable for patients with limited physical strength.
4Ease of operation
If the system uses a manual pump operated from outside the body, then the ease of operation is improved, but the adaptability to anatomical changes and flexibility in pressure adjustment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides dynamic pressure adjustment through programmable pressure levels and automatic modification based on detected stress situations. The control device can be programmed with different pressure levels to match changing patient needs, and the system can dynamically adjust pressure in response to detected stress events. This resolves the contradiction by making the system adaptable to both ease of operation and changing anatomical conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows modification of pressure parameters through programming different pressure levels in the control device. This enables adaptation to changes in the patient's body by adjusting the pressure parameters without requiring invasive interventions. The system can operate at different pressure levels depending on the specific needs of the patient at different times.
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
Minimizes vessel damage by dynamically adjusting pressure to meet stress situations while allowing flexible adaptation to anatomical changes and easy operation, suitable for physically weak and paralyzed patients.
Implementation Method 1
the flow of the hydraulic fluid from the elastic reservoir to the hydraulic occlusion device is in particular exclusively caused by the inherent elasticity of the elastic reservoir
Implementation Method 2
a first electrically driven pump for pumping the hydraulic fluid against the force produced by the inherent elasticity of the elastic reservoir from the occlusion device to the elastic reservoir
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an artificial sphincter for controllably occluding a urine-carrying vessel of an incontinent patient, including a first electrically driven pump for pumping the hydraulic fluid against the force produced by the inherent elasticity of the reservoir from the hydraulic occlusion device to the elastic reservoir during normal operation, and a second emergency pump for pumping the hydraulic fluid against the force produced by the inherent elasticity of the reservoir from the occlusion device to the elastic reservoir during emergency operation, namely when said first pump does not function properly. The invention further relates to a method for controlling an artificial sphincter.