Bi-Directional Valve Pump Bypass for Faster Prosthesis Deflation

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing penile prostheses for erectile dysfunction require significant time and energy to inflate and deflate, with existing designs often causing user frustration due to complex operation and prolonged erection issues.

Innovation Solution

A bi-directional valve pump assembly for inflatable penile prostheses that includes a valve body with a bi-directional valve, a pump bulb, and a deflation mode actuator, allowing for efficient fluid transfer between a fluid reservoir and inflatable member, with the bi-directional valve moving between inflation and deflation positions to bypass the pump bulb during deflation, reducing the time and effort required for inflation and deflation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If existing pump mechanisms are used for inflation and deflation, then fluid transfer between reservoir and inflatable members is achieved, but the time and energy required for operation is excessive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinflation and deflation speedVSAvoidtime required for pump operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The pump assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: a bi-directional valve mechanism, a pump bulb, and separate fluid pathways. The bi-directional valve is further segmented into an inflation position and a deflation position, allowing independent optimization of inflation and deflation pathways. This segmentation enables the deflation pathway to bypass the pump bulb entirely, achieving rapid deflation without the time-consuming manual pumping action required in traditional single-pathway designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If existing pump mechanisms are used for inflation and deflation, then fluid transfer is achieved, but the energy and effort required from the user is excessive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinflation and deflation efficiencyVSAvoiduser energy expenditure for pumping

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The pump assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: a bi-directional valve mechanism, a pump bulb, and separate fluid pathways. The bi-directional valve is further segmented into an inflation position and a deflation position, allowing independent optimization of inflation and deflation pathways. This segmentation enables the deflation pathway to bypass the pump bulb entirely, achieving rapid deflation without the time-consuming manual pumping action required in traditional single-pathway designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Traditional designs require manual pumping action for both inflation and deflation through the same pathway. This invention inverts the approach by creating a passive deflation pathway that automatically drains fluid from the inflatable members back to the reservoir without requiring user pumping action. The bi-directional valve automatically switches between active pumping mode for inflation and passive drainage mode for deflation, fundamentally reversing the energy requirement paradigm.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Loss of time

If bi-directional valve bypasses pump bulb during deflation, then deflation time is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeflation timeVSAvoidvalve mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bi-directional valve mechanism serves multiple functions: it acts as a check valve during inflation to direct fluid from the pump bulb to the inflatable members, and as a bypass valve during deflation to route fluid directly from the inflatable members back to the reservoir. This multi-functionality is achieved through a relatively simple mechanical design featuring a valve body with defined pathways and a bi-directional valve component that automatically responds to pressure differentials, eliminating the need for complex electronic controls or multiple separate valve mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11549598B2Bi-directional valve pump

Publication Date: 2023.01.10 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC

AI summary

According to an aspect, an inflatable penile prosthesis includes a fluid reservoir configured to hold fluid, an inflatable member, and a pump assembly configured to transfer the fluid between the fluid reservoir and the inflatable member. The pump assembly includes a valve body, a pump bulb, and a deflation mode actuator. The valve body includes a bi-directional valve configured to move from an inflation position to a deflation position in response to an activation of the deflation mode actuator. The bi-directional valve in the inflation position is configured to open a fluid passageway in the valve body to transfer fluid from the pump bulb to the inflatable member. The bi-directional valve in the deflation position is configured to open a fluid passageway in the valve body to transfer fluid from the inflatable member to the fluid reservoir that bypasses the pump bulb.