Grooved Artificial Sphincter Cuff for Low-Abrasion Duct Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing artificial sphincters with rectangular inflatable cuffs cause non-continuous geometrical configurations leading to undesired discharge, abrasion, and wear due to fold lines forming triangular configurations, which are not suitable for smaller sizes.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of grooves in the inflatable chamber and/or backing to define fold lines, ensuring a non-circular configuration that aligns parallel to the duct, allowing for a biased, triangular, square, pentagonal, or circular inflation state, reducing abrasion and improving fit around the urethra or rectum.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a rectangular inflatable chamber is used to form the cuff, then the cuff can be manufactured with simple geometry, but the chamber creates non-continuous geometrical configurations with fold lines that cause undesired discharge and abrasion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecuff manufacturing simplicityVSAvoiddischarge control reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The inflatable chamber is segmented into multiple independent compartments rather than using a single rectangular chamber. This segmentation allows the chamber to conform to the duct's curvature while maintaining continuous contact, eliminating the fold lines that cause discharge and abrasion problems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inflatable chamber transitions from a rectangular geometry to a curved or circular cross-section that matches the natural curvature of the duct. This curvature eliminates sharp fold lines and creates continuous contact with the duct surface, preventing undesired discharge and reducing abrasion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the inflatable chamber is made smaller to fit smaller ducts, then the device can treat a wider range of patients, but the chamber cannot form a triangular configuration and creates a single fold line that leads to abrasion and wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient size rangeVSAvoidduct abrasion and wear

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The chamber is divided into multiple smaller compartments that can independently conform to the duct's curvature. This segmentation allows the chamber to maintain continuous contact even in smaller sizes, preventing the formation of harmful fold lines that cause abrasion and wear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the inflatable chamber have different structural properties, with some areas designed to be more flexible to conform to the duct's curvature. This local variation in quality allows the chamber to maintain continuous contact and eliminate fold lines across a range of duct sizes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Force

If the fold lines form a triangular configuration, then pressure can be applied to multiple sides of the urethra or rectum, but this configuration causes undesired discharge through the duct

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompression force distributionVSAvoiddischarge prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The inflatable chamber is designed with a curved or circular cross-section that distributes compression force evenly around the duct's circumference. This curved geometry eliminates the triangular fold line configuration that causes discharge, while maintaining effective compression through continuous contact with the duct surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

4Force

If the fold lines form a triangular configuration, then compression can be applied to multiple sides, but the configuration creates non-continuous geometrical configuration that leads to wear and fatigue of the duct and chamber

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-sided compressionVSAvoidduct and chamber durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The inflatable chamber adopts a curved geometry that provides continuous contact with the duct, eliminating sharp fold lines that cause stress concentration. This continuous contact distributes mechanical stress evenly, reducing wear and fatigue on both the duct and chamber, thereby extending their operational lifespan.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS20250339255A1Biased artificial sphincter cuff

Publication Date: 2025.11.06 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC

AI summary

A cuff for use an as artificial sphincter includes an inflatable chamber and a backing. The inflatable chamber includes opposing inside and outside surfaces and inflated and deflated states. The backing is adjacent the outside surface of the chamber. The inside surface of the chamber includes two or more grooves that define the location of fold lines of the inflatable chamber when the inflatable chamber is in the inflated state. The inflatable chamber and backing are configured to surround a duct of a patient with the inside surface of the chamber facing the duct and the grooves extending substantially parallel to the duct.