Furlow Insertion Device with Movable Obturator for Penile Prosthesis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing penile prosthesis insertion devices face issues such as premature needle deployment, improper measurement due to occlusion, and difficulty in accessing the insertion site, especially in heavy-set patients, along with challenges in sterilization and reuse leading to potential infections.

Innovation Solution

The insertion device features an elongate barrel with a movable obturator that securely holds a needle, a measurement scale for accurate depth indication, and a design that facilitates easier access and sterilization, including a locking mechanism to prevent needle deployment until intended, and a single-use sterile packaging to prevent infection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a needle is used to deploy the prosthesis through the glans, then the prosthesis can be implanted, but the needle may prematurely deploy and pierce the corpus cavernosum before the insertion device reaches the intended position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneedle deployment controlVSAvoidcorpus cavernosum piercing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The needle is nested within the obturator, which itself is nested within the barrel. The obturator acts as a protective container that holds the needle in a retracted position during insertion, preventing premature deployment while allowing controlled advancement through the glans when the barrel reaches the correct depth

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The device performs preliminary measurement of insertion depth using the barrel before needle deployment. The scale on the barrel allows the surgeon to determine the correct insertion depth in advance, ensuring the needle is only deployed after the barrel has reached the intended position, preventing premature piercing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If the insertion device is inserted into the corpus cavernosum for measurement, then prosthesis sizing can be determined, but blood may occlude the device and result in improper measurement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion depth measurementVSAvoidocclusion by blood

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The obturator is extracted or removed from the barrel after the measurement is taken. This allows the barrel to be withdrawn from the corpus cavernosum before blood can occlude the measurement scale or interior, ensuring accurate measurement while preventing contamination of the measurement interface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the insertion device is designed with internal structures for needle holding and suture threading, then the device can perform its function, but cleaning and sterilization become difficult and incomplete sterilization may lead to infections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneedle and suture handling capabilityVSAvoidsterilization completeness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device is designed as a single-use disposable item. The barrel, obturator, and associated structures are disposed of after a single procedure, eliminating the need for sterilization. This approach ensures complete sterility while maintaining the complex internal structures needed for needle and suture handling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The device is segmented into separate components (barrel, obturator, needle holder) that can be individually disposed of. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while ensuring all parts are discarded after use, preventing contamination from reuse

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If the insertion device is made with a design that provides access to the insertion point, then the procedure can be performed, but access may be compromised in heavy-set patients due to body mass

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to insertion pointVSAvoidbody mass interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device allows access from an alternative anatomical approach, such as a transscrotal or infrapubic route, which provides a different spatial dimension for reaching the corpus cavernosum. This bypasses the difficulty of accessing the traditional penile insertion point in heavy-set patients by approaching from a less obstructed pathway

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS20220323223A1Furlow insertion device

Publication Date: 2022.10.13 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC

AI summary

According to a general aspect, an insertion device can include an elongate barrel having an opening defined in a distal end; a lumen defined within the elongate barrel, the lumen being accessible through the opening; and an obturator disposed within the lumen of the elongate barrel. The obturator can be movable within the lumen between a proximal position in the elongate barrel and a distal position in the elongate barrel. The obturator, in its distal position in the elongate barrel, can be configured to receive a needle via the opening. The obturator, in its proximal position in the elongate barrel, can be configured to secure the needle within the elongate barrel.