Grooved Dilator for Penile Prosthetic Implantation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing penile prosthetics often require extensive dilation of healthy tissue in the corpora cavernosum, which can lead to reduced vascularization and compromised erection quality, as they do not effectively preserve or promote the remaining vascular tissue necessary for natural blood flow and warmth.

Innovation Solution

A penile prosthetic system with a bio-compatible insert featuring a channel on its exterior surface that remains resistant to deformation, allowing for minimal dilation and preservation of vascularized tissue, along with a grooved dilator that leaves undilated tissue sections to facilitate vascularization and improve erection quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If extensive dilation is performed to implant the penile prosthetic, then the implant space is sufficient to receive the cylinder, but vascularized tissue is damaged and erection quality is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant space volumeVSAvoiderection quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The dilator is divided into multiple dilation portions with different diameters, allowing staged dilation that preserves vascular tissue. The groove in the dilation portion segments the tissue interaction, creating a protected zone that maintains vascularization while still achieving adequate implant space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The groove in the dilation portion creates a localized undilated zone that preserves vascularized tissue quality. This local modification allows the majority of the tissue to be dilated for implant space while maintaining a specific region with intact vascular structures for erection quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If healthy tissue is dilated to accommodate the prosthetic, then implantation is successful, but warmth and natural feeling are reduced due to loss of vascular tissue

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplantation successVSAvoidpenile warmth

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The groove is pre-formed in the dilation portion before implantation, establishing a protected zone that prevents vascular tissue damage during the dilation process. This preliminary structural feature ensures that warmth-preserving tissue remains intact throughout the implantation procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the corpora cavernosum is dilated to receive the cylinder, then the prosthetic can be implanted, but healing time is extended due to tissue damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplantation feasibilityVSAvoidhealing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The dilator incorporates a groove that changes the dilation parameter distribution, creating zones of different dilation intensity. This parameter modification reduces overall tissue trauma while maintaining implantation feasibility, thereby reducing healing time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3001981B1Grooved dilator for implantation of a penile prosthetic

Publication Date: 2020.03.04 COLOPLAST AS

Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A

AI summary

A dilator (210) for dilating the tissue of a corpora cavernosum of a penis. The dilator includes a handle (212), a stem (214) and an intermediate portion (216) connecting the handle and the stem. A dilation portion (218) includes an exterior surface defining a groove (219) configured to leave at least one section or segment of the tissue in the corpora cavernosum undisturbed and un-dilated. A kit of parts including a dilator and a penile prosthetic insert (20) is also disclosed.