Automated Piezoelectric Pump for Penile Prosthesis
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual operation of implantable penile prosthesis pumps is challenging due to lack of direct access and can be difficult for patients with comorbidities affecting dexterity, and the extensive surgical procedure for implantation deters potential users.
Innovation Solution
An automated piezoelectric pump system integrated within the inflatable cylinder allows for wireless control and precise inflation/deflation, reducing surgical complexity and patient discomfort by eliminating the need for manual pump actuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a manual pump is used in the implantable penile prosthesis, then the device can be operated without external power sources, but the patient experiences difficulty in operating the pump due to lack of direct access and dexterity issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical pump with an automated electromagnetic pump that can be controlled remotely via a mobile device. This substitution eliminates the need for manual dexterity to operate the pump while maintaining the implantable nature of the device, directly resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mobile device as an intermediary between the patient and the pump system. The mobile device communicates wirelessly with the implanted pump, allowing the patient to control inflation and deflation without direct manual manipulation of the pump itself, thereby improving ease of operation while keeping the implantation procedure manageable.
2Ease of operation
If the pump is placed within the scrotum for manual operation, then the pump is accessible to the patient, but the patient experiences discomfort and difficulty locating and operating the pump
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing the manual pump with an automated electromagnetic pump controlled via mobile device, the patent eliminates the need for the patient to physically locate and manipulate the pump within the scrotum. This resolves both the accessibility issue and the discomfort associated with manual operation in that location.
3Extent of automation
If extensive surgical procedure is performed for implantation of pump and reservoir, then the IPP components can be fully implanted within the body, but the extensive surgery deters potential users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the reservoir from the implantable components and places it externally, eliminating the need for surgical implantation of the reservoir. This significantly reduces the complexity and extent of the surgical procedure while maintaining a fully functional implantable system, directly addressing the contradiction between full implantation and surgical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The replacement of manual pump with automated electromagnetic pump simplifies the control mechanism, reducing the complexity of the implantable portion and making the overall system more attractive to potential users despite maintaining full implantability.
4Device complexity
If manual actuation of the pump is required, then the device structure can be simplified, but patients with comorbidities affecting dexterity are completely unable to operate the pump
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical actuation with automated electromagnetic control accessible via mobile device. This substitution maintains relatively simple device structure while dramatically improving adaptability to users with dexterity limitations, as they can control the pump through touchscreen or voice commands on their mobile device rather than requiring fine motor skills.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device serves multiple functions: it acts as the control interface for the pump, provides user feedback, and can be operated through various methods (touchscreen, voice, switches) to accommodate users with different levels of dexterity. This universality improves user accessibility without significantly complicating the implanted device structure.
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 piezoelectric pump system simplifies the implantation process, enhances precision in cylinder inflation, and reduces surgical complexity, making the IPP more accessible and user-friendly, especially for patients with dexterity issues.
Implementation Method 1
The piezoelectric pump comprises at least one piezoelectric actuator operably linked to a pump inductive coil
Implementation Method 2
The pump inductive coil can be exposed to a magnetic field to create a current supplied to each piezoelectric actuator
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable penile prosthesis having an inflatable cylinder with at least one piezoelectric pump for transferring fluid between an integrated reservoir and pressure chamber within the inflatable cylinder. The piezoelectric pump includes an actuator powered by an inductor coil integrated into the inflatable cylinder allowing for wireless control of the inflation and deflation of the inflatable cylinder. An external control system having a corresponding inductive coil can be used to supply a magnetic field for creating a current in the inductor coil integrated into the inflatable cylinder.