Implantable Ascites Pump With Manual Pressure Cycling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing treatments for ascites, such as paracentesis, are invasive and carry significant risks and complications, necessitating a non-invasive method for removing excessive fluid from the abdominal cavity.
Innovation Solution
An implantable ascites pump assembly with a manually adjustable chamber and valve system that facilitates unidirectional fluid transfer from the abdominal cavity to the bladder, utilizing negative and positive pressures to manage fluid removal and injection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If paracentesis is performed to remove fluid from the abdominal cavity, then fluid removal is achieved, but invasive surgical risks and complications increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an implantable pump device as an intermediary between the abdominal cavity and the outside environment. This device provides a controlled, non-invasive pathway for fluid removal through the abdominal wall, eliminating the need for repeated percutaneous punctures and associated surgical risks while maintaining effective ascites management
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical invasive procedure of paracentesis (needle puncture and manual drainage) with an implantable mechanical pump system that actively removes fluid through a surgically created but permanently sealed access point. This substitution eliminates the need for repeated invasive punctures while providing controlled, continuous fluid management
2Quantity of substance
If paracentesis is performed frequently to manage ascites, then fluid accumulation is controlled, but hospital stay and medical costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The implantable pump device enables patients to perform self-service fluid removal at home without requiring hospital admission or specialized medical personnel. The device includes external components that patients can operate independently, transforming ascites management from a hospital-based procedure to a home-based self-care activity, thereby eliminating hospital stays and reducing medical resource consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent provides continuous fluid removal capability through the implantable pump system, allowing patients to manage ascites continuously or periodically as needed without interruption by hospital visits. This continuous action replaces discrete, repeated hospital-based paracentesis procedures, maintaining fluid control while eliminating the time loss associated with frequent hospital admissions
3Quantity of substance
If invasive procedures are used to remove ascites fluid, then fluid removal is effective, but patient quality of life decreases due to discomfort and complications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the invasive action once during the initial implantation surgery, creating a permanent access point and installing the pump device. After this preliminary invasive action, all subsequent fluid removals are non-invasive and performed by the patient themselves, eliminating the need for repeated invasive procedures and their associated discomfort, pain, and recovery time, thereby dramatically improving long-term quality of life while maintaining effective fluid removal
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
Provides a non-invasive, effective, and safer method for managing ascites by reducing hospital stays and complications, improving patient quality of life and reducing medical costs.
Implementation Method 1
The major chamber is operative to generate a negative pressure or vacuum on the interior thereof, concurrent to disposition of the major chamber from the collapsed orientation to the normally biased, expanded orientation
Implementation Method 2
The major chamber is operative to generate a positive pressure on the interior thereof concurrent to disposition of the major chamber from the expanded orientation into the collapsed orientation
Implementation Method 3
a valve assembly connected to the conduit assembly in flow regulating relation to fluid passing from the abdominal cavity to the bladder, through the major chamber
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly implanted in the body of the user and operative to remove fluid from the user's abdominal cavity including a major chamber, operative as a pump, structured for manual disposition between a collapsed orientation and an expanded orientation and a conduit assembly interconnecting the major chamber in fluid communication with the abdominal cavity and a user's bladder. A valve assembly connected to the conduit assembly in flow regulating relation to fluid passing from the abdominal cavity to the bladder, through the major chamber. The manual disposition of the major chamber is at least partially defined by a force applied thereto externally of the user body. Disposition of the major assembly between the collapsed and expanded orientations results in fluid flow from the abdominal cavity to the major chamber and successively from the major chamber to the bladder, for expulsion by urination.