Electronic Pump Assembly for Penile Prosthesis Pressure Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing penile prostheses for erectile dysfunction require manual pumping, which can be challenging for some patients, and lack advanced features for pressure regulation and user-specific functionality.
Innovation Solution
An inflatable penile prosthesis with an electronic pump assembly that includes a pump, active valve, pressure sensor, and controller for automatic fluid transfer, along with additional features like acceleration, heart rate, and temperature sensors to regulate pressure and provide user-specific functions such as nocturnal erections and wireless control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual pumping mechanism is used, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses pressure sensors to automatically detect when inflation is needed and activates the pump without requiring manual operation. The device serves itself by monitoring its own state and initiating pumping actions based on detected pressure levels, eliminating the need for manual pumping while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical pumping with an electronically controlled pump system. The electronic pump assembly includes a pump, pressure sensor, and controller that work together to automatically transfer fluid based on detected pressure conditions, substituting the manual mechanical action with an automated electromechanical system.
2Reliability
If pressure regulation features are added, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates pressure sensors that continuously monitor the pressure within the inflatable member and provide feedback to the controller. When the detected pressure reaches a predetermined threshold, the controller automatically activates the pump to maintain appropriate pressure levels, creating a closed-loop feedback system that ensures reliable pressure regulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic pump assembly serves multiple functions: it acts as both a pump for fluid transfer and a pressure regulation system. The same pump mechanism used for inflation also serves to maintain pressure within safe limits by working in conjunction with the pressure sensor and controller, reducing the need for separate dedicated pressure regulation components.
3Ease of operation
If automatic pump operation is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system operates the pump periodically rather than continuously. The pressure sensor triggers pump activation only when pressure drops below a threshold level, and the pump runs until the desired pressure is reached. This periodic operation based on actual need significantly reduces energy consumption compared to continuous operation while maintaining ease of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated system monitors its own operational state through pressure sensors and activates the pump only when necessary. This self-service approach ensures the pump operates based on actual demand rather than running continuously, optimizing energy usage while maintaining automatic operation benefits.
Data Source
AI summary
According to an aspect, an inflatable penile prosthesis includes a fluid reservoir configured to hold fluid, an inflatable member, and an electronic pump assembly configured to transfer the fluid between the fluid reservoir and the inflatable member. The electronic pump assembly includes a pump, an active valve, a pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure of the inflatable member, and a controller configured to control at least one of the pump or the active valve based on the measured pressure.