Orthotopic Artificial Bladder Endoprosthesis with Resorbable Ureter Connection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bladder endoprostheses face issues with post-operative infections and ureter stenosis due to the connection methods, which increase the risk of bacterial colonization on artificial materials and can lead to reduced antibiotic effectiveness and ureter narrowing.

Innovation Solution

An orthotopic artificial bladder endoprosthesis with a permanent, multi-layered silicone urethra portion and a resorbable, PGA-based ureter portion, featuring biocompatible coatings and a textured fabric to reduce adhesion and promote tissue integration, along with a resorbable connection mechanism to minimize infection risk and ureter stenosis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If connection bodies are used to connect ureters to the endoprosthesis, then the endoprosthesis structure is complete and functional, but the risk of ureter stenosis and infection increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidinfection risk and stenosis
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the connection bodies from the endoprosthesis structure entirely. Instead of using separate connection bodies to attach ureters, the invention creates direct anastomosis between the ureters and the bladder reservoir, eliminating the harmful interface where infections and stenosis typically occur while maintaining complete urinary function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The endoprosthesis is divided into distinct functional zones: a permanent silicone bladder reservoir for urine storage and a resorbable scaffold portion that temporarily supports ureteral positioning during healing. This segmentation allows the permanent portion to maintain reliability while the temporary portion facilitates safe integration without causing stenosis or infection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If antibiotics are administered to treat infections, then bacterial load is reduced, but effectiveness is compromised when bacteria colonize artificial materials

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinfection treatment effectivenessVSAvoidbacterial colonization on artificial material
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of artificial materials (which prevent antibiotic penetration and promote bacterial biofilm formation) by replacing them with resorbable, biocompatible materials that allow effective antibiotic action while supporting tissue regeneration. The artificial material serves its temporary purpose during surgery then disappears, eliminating the source of treatment resistance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the material parameters from permanent artificial silicone to resorbable polymers with different degradation rates. This parameter change allows the material to provide structural support when needed, then gradually dissolve to eliminate the interface that protects bacteria from antibiotics, restoring full treatment effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If a permanent multi-layered silicone membrane is used for the bladder portion, then the endoprosthesis maintains shape stability and flexibility, but the risk of adhesion and infection increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshape stabilityVSAvoidadhesion and infection risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bladder endoprosthesis is segmented into a permanent silicone membrane portion for shape stability and a resorbable scaffold portion for the ureteral connection zone. This segmentation isolates the adhesion and infection risks to the temporary resorbable portion while maintaining the structural benefits of the permanent silicone membrane

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the endoprosthesis have different material properties: the bladder portion uses permanent silicone for shape stability, while the ureteral connection portion uses resorbable materials with anti-adhesion properties. This local quality differentiation addresses adhesion risks specifically where they occur without compromising overall structural stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 solution significantly reduces the risk of post-operative infections and ureter stenosis by allowing effective antibiotic treatment and promoting tissue integration, ensuring proper bladder function and urine containment.

Implementation Method 1

the second portion 3 is of a resorbable type

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResorption: Decomposition (biological)

Data Source

PatentEP2897554B1Orthotopic artificial bladder endoprosthesis
Publication Date: 2016.11.02 SAMBUSSETI ANTONIO
  • EP2897554B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2897554B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2897554B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An orthotopic artificial bladder endoprosthesis includes a first portion connectable to a urethra of a patient and a second portion connected to the ureters of the patient; the first portion including a collapsible cover made of a multi-layered silicone membrane having an external surface and an internal surface both coated with pyrolytic turbostratic carbon; the second portion including a resorbable cap including a fabric of PGA fibres and a frame, coupled with the cap, made using PGA/PLA copolymer; the cover and the cap being connected together along their respective edges, to define an enclosure.