Implantable Device Sizing via Electronic Pump Pressure Monitoring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for selecting the size of inflatable members, such as artificial urinary sphincters and inflatable penile prostheses, are often inaccurate, leading to poor performance or injury due to the difficulty in measuring and sizing these devices for individual patients, particularly because flexible tapes and visual inspections can be unreliable.
Innovation Solution
An implantable device with an electronic pump assembly that includes a controller, pressure sensor, and fluid reservoir, which automatically determines the size capability of the inflatable member by monitoring fluid transfer parameters during an inflation cycle and generating size capability information, ensuring compatibility with the patient's anatomy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual sizing methods (tape measurement or visual inspection) are used to select inflatable member size, then the procedure is simple to perform, but the sizing precision is poor leading to incorrect size selection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical sizing methods (tape measurement or visual inspection) with an automated electronic system that uses a pump assembly, pressure sensor, and controller to objectively determine the appropriate inflatable member size based on measured pressure data during inflation cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-sizing by automatically inflating the inflatable member, monitoring pressure changes, and determining the optimal size without requiring external measurement tools or subjective physician judgment
2Measurement precision
If automated electronic pump assembly with pressure sensing is used to determine sizing, then the sizing precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic pump assembly serves multiple functions: it acts as both the sizing determination device and the operational device for inflating/deflating the inflatable member, eliminating the need for separate sizing tools and reducing overall system complexity
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
This solution provides accurate sizing information, reducing the risk of improper fit and associated complications by automatically determining the suitable size of the inflatable member based on detected fluid transfer parameters, thereby enhancing patient safety and device performance.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor configured to monitor a pressure of the inflatable member
Data Source
AI summary
According to an aspect, an implantable device includes a fluid reservoir configured to hold fluid, an inflatable member configured to be implanted in a body of a patient, and an electronic pump assembly. The electronic pump assembly includes a controller configured to actuate at least one of a pump or an active valve to inflate the inflatable member, and a pressure sensor configured to monitor a pressure of the inflatable member. The controller is configured to detect a value of at least one at least one fluid transfer parameter for the pressure of the inflatable member to reach a target pressure during an inflation cycle. The controller is configured to generate size capability information of the inflatable member for the patient based on the detected value of the at least one fluid transfer parameter.