Manual Backup Pump for Liquid Balloon Artificial Sphincters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional artificial sphincter devices rely solely on motorized pump units, which can fail due to battery depletion or user forgetfulness, leading to unreliable operation and potential medical complications if not addressed promptly.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a manual operating unit with a flexible pump body and a manually openable shut-off valve, allowing users to manually drain or fill the liquid balloon, complementing the motorized pump unit and enhancing operational reliability by providing an alternative means of operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a motorized pump unit is used to pump liquid into the liquid balloon, then the device can automatically control liquid flow, but the device may fail due to battery depletion or user forgetfulness
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into two independent operating systems: a motorized pump unit for automated operation and a manual pump unit for emergency operation. This segmentation allows the device to maintain reliability by providing alternative operation modes when one system fails.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual pump unit serves as a pre-prepared backup system that cushions against the potential failure of the motorized pump unit. By having this backup ready in advance, the device ensures continuous functionality even when the primary automated system fails due to battery depletion or other issues.
2Device complexity
If only a motorized pump unit is used, then the device structure can be simplified, but the device complexity increases due to battery and control electronics
Solution Approach 1:
The manual pump unit is designed to perform the same basic function as the motorized pump unit - pumping liquid into or out of the liquid balloon. This multi-functionality allows either pump unit to independently control the artificial sphincter, providing redundancy without requiring completely separate systems.
3Reliability
If a manual pump body is added for emergency operation, then operational reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manual pump unit is designed as a simplified copy of the motorized pump unit's pumping mechanism. By replicating only the essential pumping function without the motor, battery, and control electronics, the device gains redundancy while minimizing the increase in overall 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 addition of a manual operating unit ensures continued functionality even when the motorized unit fails, reducing the risk of medical complications by allowing users to manually manage liquid flow, thereby increasing the device's operational reliability and user safety.
Implementation Method 1
Liquid is pumped into the inner chamber of the liquid balloon which is closed to form a ring around a body passage to be blocked in order to expand the inner wall of the liquid balloon against the hollow organ to be blocked
Implementation Method 2
a manual operating unit with a flexible pump body and a manually openable shut-off valve, allowing users to manually drain or fill the liquid balloon
Data Source
AI summary
A device including a liquid balloon (1), a pump unit (5) connected to the liquid balloon (1) via a first connection line (3) for pumping liquid into the liquid balloon (1) and for pumping liquid out of the liquid balloon (1), an electric motor (6) for driving the pump unit (5), a battery (7) for supplying energy to the electric motor (6) and an electronic control unit (8) for controlling the electric motor (6). The device further includes a manual actuating unit (51) for removing liquid from the liquid balloon (1) and for pumping liquid back into the liquid balloon (1), the manual actuating unit (51) having a flexible pump body (30) which is connected to the liquid balloon (1) via a second connection line (31).