Bistable Urethral Sphincter Actuation via Sliding Magnet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing artificial urethral sphincters require an external magnet to be positioned near the abdomen during micturition, making their use uncomfortable and impractical.
Innovation Solution
A magnetically operated artificial sphincter with a stabilization magnet and an actuation magnet, where the actuation magnet is slidably arranged within the container, connected to a valve unit, and controlled by a resilient element, allowing for bistable actuation without the need for continuous external magnet placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an external magnet is positioned near the abdomen during micturition to control the sphincter, then the sphincter can be opened for urination, but the device becomes uncomfortable and impractical to use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the magnet from being an external temporary component and makes it an integral permanent part of the implantable container. The magnet is embedded within the container structure, eliminating the need for external magnet placement and removal operations, thereby resolving the discomfort and impracticality associated with external magnet positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the magnet with the container structure by making it integral to the implantable device. The magnet is combined with the container wall or base, creating a unified structure that eliminates the separation between the controlling magnet and the sphincter mechanism, thereby improving ease of operation without external components
2Device complexity
If the actuation magnet is fixed in position, then the structure is simple, but the sphincter cannot be actuated between block and release configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the magnet from a fixed static component to a dynamically movable one. The actuation magnet is positioned on a resilient element (such as a spring) that allows it to move axially within the container in response to magnetic forces, enabling the sphincter to transition between block and release configurations while maintaining relatively simple structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a resilient element as an intermediary between the fixed container structure and the movable actuation magnet. This intermediary component translates magnetic forces into mechanical displacement of the magnet, enabling actuation capability while keeping the overall structure simple and integrating smoothly with the container
3Adaptability or versatility
If a resilient element is added to enable magnet movement, then the sphincter can be actuated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the resilient element serve multiple functions: it acts as a spring to enable magnet movement, provides a return force to reset the magnet position, and integrates with the container structure as a unified component. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving actuation capability
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
Enables more practical and hygienic use by allowing the sphincter to be controlled externally without constant magnet proximity, providing stable block and release configurations based on magnetic and resilient forces.
Implementation Method 1
the magnetic force has a direction opposite to the resilient force; the magnetic force has an intensity higher than the resilient force when the actuation magnet is distanced less than a predetermined equilibrium distance from the stabilization magnet
Implementation Method 2
the actuation magnet receives a resilient force responsive to its own position along the container
Data Source
AI summary
An artificial sphincter to be implanted in a urethra, for treating patients suffering from urinary incontinence, includes a container configured to be connected to a wall of a urethra, inside or outside it, a valve unit housed within the container and configured to move from a release configuration to a block configuration and vice-versa. An actuation magnet is movably (rotatably or slidably) arranged between a first and a second position in the container, and is connected to the valve unit such that a predetermined (rotation or translation) movement of the actuation magnet from a first towards a second position, or from the second towards the first position, under the effect of an external manoeuvre magnet, brings the valve unit from the release configuration to the block configuration, where the valve is stably maintained, and from the block configuration to the release configuration, where the valve is stably maintained.