Grooved Valve Stem Deflate Assembly for Penile Prosthesis Pumps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users with limited dexterity face difficulty in inflating and deflating penile prostheses due to the 'crack force' required to disengage the valve from its seat, leading to a perception that the pump is not functioning correctly.
Innovation Solution
A deflate valve assembly with a sleeve and a longitudinally movable stem featuring a groove that aligns with both inlet and exhaust flow paths, eliminating the need to overcome the crack force by allowing deflation without displacing the stem from its narrower seat, thus reducing the required force to zero.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the valve is secured in a narrower valve seat to ensure proper sealing and function, then the reliability of the pump is improved, but the force required to disengage the valve from its seat increases, making it difficult for users with limited dexterity to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly is segmented into two distinct components: a valve seat formed in the pump body and a separate valve member. This segmentation allows the valve seat to remain narrow for proper sealing while the valve member includes an extended portion that can be actuated with reduced force, resolving the contradiction between reliable sealing and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution extends the valve member in a dimensional direction beyond the narrow valve seat, creating a longer actuation path. This dimensional extension allows the valve to be secured tightly in the narrow seat for reliability while providing an extended portion that reduces the crack force required for disengagement, making it easier for users with limited dexterity to operate.
2Reliability
If the valve seat is made narrower to improve valve retention and sealing, then the valve reliability is improved, but the crack force required to move the valve off the seat increases, causing users to perceive mechanical failure
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the valve assembly into a fixed valve seat and a movable valve member with extended portion, the narrow valve seat can maintain strong retention for reliability while the extended portion provides mechanical advantage for easier actuation, eliminating the perception of mechanical failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The extended portion of the valve member projects beyond the narrow valve seat in a dimensional direction, allowing the valve to be securely retained in the narrow seat while providing a longer lever arm that reduces the crack force required for disengagement, preventing users from mistakenly believing the pump has failed.
3Reliability
If the pump requires sufficient hand strength to overcome crack force for valve disengagement, then the valve remains securely seated during normal operation, but users with limited hand strength cannot operate the pump, reducing accessibility
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented valve assembly with extended portion allows the valve seat to maintain narrow dimensions for secure seating stability while the extended valve member provides mechanical advantage, enabling users with limited hand strength to disengage the valve and access the pump functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
By extending the valve member in a dimensional direction beyond the narrow valve seat, the design maintains stable valve seating while creating a longer actuation path that reduces the force required for disengagement, thereby improving accessibility for users with limited hand strength.
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
Enables users with limited hand strength to deflate the penile prosthesis easily, ensuring the pump functions correctly without the perception of mechanical failure, improving usability and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
A spring is disposed inside the sleeve and is configured to bias the valve assembly in the initial position
Data Source
AI summary
A pump for an implantable penile prosthesis has a pump body attachable between a penile implant and a reservoir containing a liquid. A deflate valve assembly is placed within the pump body and has a sleeve sealed inside of the pump body and a stem that is movable longitudinally within the sleeve. A groove is formed in an exterior surface of the stem. The stem is longitudinally movable within the sleeve to align the groove with both an inlet flow path and an exhaust flow path to form a deflation flow path between the penile implant and the reservoir.