Implantable Powered Member for Urinary Bladder Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for urinary retention, such as catheterization and electric stimulation, are inefficient, unreliable, and often lead to complications like infections and uncontrolled urination due to the need for external devices and risk of urinary tract damage.
Innovation Solution
An implantable apparatus with a powered member that exerts force on the urinary bladder, assisted by a support structure and controlled by an energy source, to facilitate urine discharge, including hydraulic or mechanical operation and optional electrical stimulation and sphincter control, allowing for manual or wireless operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If catheterization is used to treat urinary retention, then urine discharge is achieved, but the risk of infections and urinary tract damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the catheter from the urinary tract, eliminating the need for continuous foreign body presence. Instead of inserting a catheter inside the bladder, the system uses an external powered member that applies force to the bladder wall through the abdominal wall, achieving urine discharge without internal catheterization and thereby eliminating infection risk and urinary tract damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary approach by using the abdominal wall and pelvic bones as transmission pathways. The powered member is positioned outside the body, and force is transmitted through the abdominal wall and pelvic structure to the bladder, rather than directly inserting a catheter into the bladder. This intermediary transmission path eliminates direct contact between the catheter and the urinary tract.
2Productivity
If electric stimulation of the bladder is used, then bladder contraction and emptying are achieved, but uncontrolled squirts of urine may occur through the urethra
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the electrical stimulation system with a mechanical compression system. Instead of using electric pulses to stimulate the bladder muscle, the system uses a powered member that mechanically compresses the bladder wall, applying controlled force to expel urine. This mechanical approach provides more precise control over the compression timing and intensity, preventing uncontrolled urination while maintaining effective bladder emptying.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements dynamic control of the compression force through a powered member that can be activated and deactivated on demand. The system includes a control unit that receives signals from sensors detecting bladder fullness and can activate the powered member only when needed, providing dynamic adjustment of the compression force. This dynamic control ensures urine is expelled only when the bladder is full, preventing uncontrolled squirts.
3Reliability
If continuous or intermittent catheterization is used, then urinary retention is treated, but patient convenience and comfort are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the catheter from the urinary tract, eliminating the need for continuous or intermittent insertion and removal procedures. The powered member is positioned externally on the abdominal wall, allowing urine discharge to be achieved without internal catheterization. This external approach eliminates the inconvenience of frequent catheter changes and improves patient comfort while maintaining reliable treatment effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that automatically detect when the bladder is full and trigger the powered member to expel urine without requiring manual intervention. The control unit operates autonomously based on sensor feedback, eliminating the need for patients to manually insert or remove catheters. This self-service capability significantly improves patient convenience and comfort while maintaining reliable urinary retention treatment.
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 apparatus provides efficient, reliable, and patient-compliant urinary control, reducing the risk of infections and urinary tract damage by enabling controlled urine discharge and sphincter management, improving quality of life for patients with urinary retention.
Implementation Method 1
an implantable powered member adapted exert a force from the outside on a selected part of the urinary bladder in order to discharge urine from the urinary bladder
Implementation Method 2
the pressurizer comprises a reservoir for hydraulic fluid, and the contacting part comprises an expandable cavity hydraulically connected to the reservoir. The pressurizer comprises a pump for transporting the hydraulic fluid from the reservoir to expand the expandable cavity thereby compressing the urinary bladder
Implementation Method 3
The operation device comprises a motor, preferably an electric motor adapted to displace the movable arm
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an implantable apparatus for obtaining urinary control and emptying of the urinary bladder. The apparatus operates with a powered member (100) operating from the outside of the urinary bladder assisted by a support structure to discharge urine from the urinary bladder. A control device (200) controls the operation of the powered member. The control device further comprises a source of energy for operating the powered member and other energy consuming parts of the apparatus and a control assembly.