Implantable Fluidics Pump with Hermetic Partitioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current implantable medical devices, particularly urological devices like inflatable penile prostheses, face challenges in efficiently managing fluid flow and pressure due to limitations in their fluidics systems, which can affect their functionality and reliability.
Innovation Solution
The development of an implantable medical device with a fluidics circuit that includes a manifold, piezoelectric pumps, valves, and pressure sensors, integrated with electronic components and a rechargeable power source, allowing for controlled fluid transfer and monitoring, and enabling remote operation through wireless charging and programming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fluidics pump system is integrated into the implantable medical device, then fluid flow control capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluidics pump components are nested within the existing implantable medical device housing, with the pump integrated into the fluidics circuit chamber. This allows the pump functionality to be incorporated without requiring a separate device, thereby improving fluid flow control while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the fluidics pump system with the existing implantable medical device, merging multiple functions (fluid pumping, fluid storage, electronic control) into a single integrated device. This reduces the number of separate components the patient would need to manage, simplifying the overall system despite adding pump functionality.
2Volume of moving object
If multiple fluidics components are integrated into a single chamber, then device size is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple fluidics components (pump, reservoir, valves, sensors) into a single hermetically sealed chamber, consolidating what would traditionally be separate components. This reduces the overall device volume and simplifies the implantation procedure, while the manufacturing complexity is managed through modular assembly techniques described in the patent.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluidics components are nested within the chamber in a compact arrangement, with the pump, reservoir, and other components positioned to optimize space utilization. This nested configuration minimizes the external dimensions of the device while maintaining all necessary functional components within the confined space.
3Reliability
If electronic components are hermetically sealed from fluidics components, then reliability is improved, but operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into distinct hermetically sealed chambers: an electronics chamber containing electronic components and a fluidics chamber containing fluidics components. This segmentation prevents fluid contamination of electronic components, improving reliability. The hermetic seals include feedthroughs that allow controlled interaction between chambers while maintaining isolation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses hermetic seals and feedthrough structures as intermediaries between the electronics chamber and fluidics chamber. These intermediaries allow electrical connections and fluid pathways to pass through the hermetic barrier, enabling communication and control between the two isolated chambers without compromising the hermetic seal.
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 enhances the reliability and functionality of implantable medical devices by providing precise control over fluid flow and pressure, improving the performance and user experience of devices like inflatable penile prostheses, while allowing for remote monitoring and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
The fluidics circuit includes a piezoelectric pump
Implementation Method 2
a rechargeable power source
Implementation Method 3
The first partition is hermetically sealed from the second partition
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable medical device is disclosed. The implantable medical device includes a housing forming an internal compartment. The housing includes a frame disposed within the internal compartment forming a first partition and a second partition within the internal compartment. The first partition is hermetically sealed from the second partition. At least one electronic component and a power source are disposed within the first partition. The medical device includes a fluidics circuit including a manifold operably coupled to at least one fluidics component. The fluidics circuit is operably coupled to the at least one electronic component across the frame.