Malleable Penile Prosthesis Ball Socket Segments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current non-inflatable penile prostheses face challenges such as complex construction, noisy articulation, and limited flexibility, which hinder their effectiveness and user experience.
Innovation Solution
The development of an implantable malleable penile prosthesis composed of stacked column segments with articulable ball and socket surfaces, held together by a resilient compression force, allowing for improved articulation and stability without the need for external springs or wires, utilizing a snap-fit design or compressive materials for increased friction and rigidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional non-inflatable penile prostheses are used, then the device provides constant erection, but the construction is complex and articulation is noisy
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthesis is divided into multiple column segments that can be stacked together, with each segment containing ball and socket joints. This segmentation allows for simpler individual components while achieving the desired constant erection through the assembled structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple column segments are combined through ball and socket joints to form a unified prosthesis structure. The merging of these segments provides both the constant erection function and reduced complexity through modular design.
2Reliability
If traditional non-inflatable penile prostheses are used, then the device provides constant erection, but the articulation is noisy
Solution Approach 1:
Ball and socket joints with spherical surfaces are used throughout the column segments. The curved spherical geometry allows for smooth articulation motion that reduces noise compared to traditional joint designs, while maintaining the constant erection capability.
3Ease of operation
If traditional inflatable prostheses are used, then the device provides on-demand erection, but the construction is complex and requires hydraulic pumping device
Solution Approach 1:
The complex hydraulic pumping device is removed from the prosthesis design. Instead, the prosthesis uses a simpler column segment structure with ball and socket joints that provides on-demand erection capability without requiring external hydraulic components.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic pumping mechanism is replaced with a purely mechanical column segment assembly using ball and socket joints. This substitution eliminates the need for complex hydraulic systems while maintaining the on-demand erection function through mechanical articulation.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If column segments with ball and socket joints are used, then articulation is improved and noise is reduced, but the device requires resilient compression force to hold segments together
Solution Approach 1:
The column segments are designed to self-assemble and self-hold through the resilient compression force generated by the ball and socket joint configuration. The segments automatically maintain their position without requiring external fastening mechanisms, reducing overall device 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
The solution provides a more rigid and flexible prosthetic device with reduced noise and assembly time, enhanced concealability, and potential for greater strength, while minimizing mechanical failures and manufacturing costs, offering improved articulation and stability comparable to existing devices.
Implementation Method 1
held together by a resilient compression force
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a snap-fit design or compressive materials for increased friction and rigidity
Data Source
AI summary
A prosthetic device comprises stacked column segments. A first one of the column segments comprises a ball surface facing along a column axis. The ball surface has a generally convex shape that is articulable in a mating socket of a second one of the column segments. The first one of the column segments comprises a socket surface facing an opposite direction along the column axis. The socket surface has a generally concave shape that is articulable on a mating ball of a third one of the column segments. Multiple column segments similar to the first column segment are stacked to form the column.