Implantable Intestinal Reservoir With Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing treatments for intestinal disorders, such as constipation or incontinence, often require external bags for fecal collection, which are inconvenient and can cause skin irritation. Additionally, surgical solutions like artificial sphincters may have limitations in controlling fecal flow and comfort.
Innovation Solution
The development of an internal reservoir system combined with an implantable flow control device that temporarily collects intestinal contents within the body. The system includes an artificial or modified reservoir formed from the patient's intestine or human tissue, connected to a flow control device with valves and a pump for controlled emptying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an external bag is used for fecal collection, then fecal flow can be collected, but the patient experiences inconvenience and skin irritation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the fecal collection function from the external bag system and relocates it to an internal reservoir implanted within the patient's body. This eliminates the need for external attachment and removal operations, resolving the contradiction between reliable fecal collection and patient convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an internal reservoir as an intermediary device between the intestine and the external environment. This mediator allows fecal collection to occur internally without requiring external bags, thereby maintaining collection reliability while eliminating skin irritation and attachment inconvenience.
2Reliability
If an adhesive plate is attached to the skin for bag fixation, then liquid tightness is achieved, but skin irritation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the adhesive plate and external bag assembly from the system by implanting the reservoir internally. This extraction eliminates the source of skin irritation while maintaining the liquid tightness function through the implanted reservoir's sealed connection to the intestine.
3Reliability
If surgery is performed to remove a portion of the intestine, then the disorder is treated, but the patient loses intestinal function
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the intestine by creating a pouch from a portion of the colon, separating the storage function from the transit function. This allows the removed or damaged intestinal portions to be replaced by the engineered pouch while preserving overall intestinal productivity through the pouch's fecal collection and controlled discharge capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the functional parameters of the intestinal system by creating a reservoir with controlled emptying. The pouch modifies the flow regime from continuous to controlled intermittent discharge, thereby treating disorders like incontinence while maintaining bowel function through regulated evacuation.
4Reliability
If an artificial sphincter is implanted for flow control, then fecal flow control is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reservoir storage function with the flow control mechanism into a single integrated system. The efferent valve is incorporated directly into the reservoir structure, eliminating the need for separate artificial sphincter devices and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effective fecal flow control.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A system for treating a patient having a disorder related to the patient's intestine comprises an artificial or artificially modified reservoir which is adapted to receive and collect intestine contents and is further adapted to remain within the patient's body when emptying the reservoir. The system further comprises an implantable flow control device for controlling flow of the intestine contents from the reservoir. The flow control device may comprise an entry valve, an exit valve, a pump, a motor, an energy source, a control unit and sensors.