Implantable Hydraulic Bladder Control System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for urinary retention, such as catheterization and electric stimulation, are inconvenient and prone to infections, and existing artificial bladders are either ineffective or unrealistically large, necessitating a more efficient and compact implantable solution for urinary control and emptying.
Innovation Solution
An implantable controlled hydraulic system comprising an expandable member and a control device that uses hydraulic fluid to discharge urine from the bladder, with features like detachable coupling, hydraulic and electric components, and wireless energy transmission for remote operation, minimizing manual intervention and preventing urinary backflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If electric stimulation is used to empty the bladder, then bladder emptying is achieved, but uncontrolled squirts of urine occur through the urethra
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hydraulic intermediary system consisting of a reservoir and expandable member that mediates between the control mechanism and the bladder. The expandable member, when inflated with hydraulic fluid, mechanically pushes urine out through the urethra in a controlled manner, eliminating the uncontrolled squirts caused by direct electric stimulation while maintaining effective bladder emptying
2Productivity
If a manually expandable balloon is used to empty the artificial bladder, then bladder emptying is achieved, but unrealistically large subcutaneous reservoir is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nesting principle by placing the expandable member inside the bladder cavity itself rather than requiring a large external reservoir. The expandable member is nested within the bladder anatomy, utilizing the existing body cavity space, which eliminates the need for a large subcutaneous reservoir while maintaining the capability to empty the bladder effectively
3Productivity
If catheterization is used for urinary retention, then urine discharge is achieved, but risk of infections increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the foreign object (catheter) from the system and replaces it with an implantable expandable member that becomes part of the bladder anatomy. By removing the external catheter and using an internal inflatable member that can be sterilized and implanted, the system eliminates the continuous infection risk associated with indwelling catheters while maintaining urine discharge functionality
4Productivity
If continuous or intermittent catheterization is used, then urinary retention is treated, but patient convenience decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by providing an implantable system that the patient can control independently through a portable controller. The patient can inflate the expandable member as needed to empty the bladder, eliminating the need for assistance with catheterization and significantly improving convenience while maintaining effective urinary retention management
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
The system effectively manages urinary retention by providing a compact, convenient, and infection-reducing method for urine discharge, maintaining urinary tract health and reducing the risk of complications like renal damage.
Implementation Method 1
a control device for controlling the volume of the expandable member... As a result of the expansion of the expandable member urine is discharged from the urinary bladder through the urethra
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for treating a urinary retention of a patient by discharging urine from a mammal urinary bladder through a mammal urethra. The apparatus comprises an expandable member adapted to be implanted inside the urinary bladder of the patient, a control device adapted to control the volume of the expandable member for emptying the mammal urinary bladder, and an implantable restriction devices adapted to close each ureter of a patient when discharging urine from the urinary bladder.