Palpable Activation Surface for Penile Prosthetic Deflation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing penile prosthetic devices face challenges in user accessibility and identification of the deflation mechanism, particularly for patients with limited dexterity or those with obese or anatomically varied body types, as the deflation assembly is often incorporated with the pump or reservoir, making it difficult to locate and operate.
Innovation Solution
A penile prosthetic design featuring a separate deflation assembly with a prominently identifiable activation surface, including an outer peripheral rim that defines a maxima, allowing easy palpation through skin and tissue layers, and implanted between the transversalis fascia and the pelvis exterior surface, decoupling it from the pump and reservoir for customization and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the deflation assembly is incorporated with the pump or reservoir, then the device structure is more compact, but the deflation mechanism becomes difficult to locate and operate for users with limited dexterity or anatomical challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The deflation assembly is separated from the pump and reservoir into an independent component. This segmentation allows the deflation mechanism to be positioned in a more accessible location on the patient's body, improving ease of operation while maintaining overall device functionality through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The deflation assembly is extracted from the integrated pump-reservoir structure and positioned separately in the lower abdomen or pelvic region. This extraction enables users to easily locate and operate the deflation mechanism independent of the pump location, directly addressing accessibility challenges
2Shape
If the activation surface is flat or minimally protruding, then the device profile is lower and less noticeable, but the activation surface becomes difficult to palpate through skin and tissue layers
Solution Approach 1:
The activation surface incorporates a protruding pad with a curved or rounded top surface that extends beyond the outer peripheral rim. This curvature creates a tactile maxima that is easily detectable through palpation, allowing users to locate and activate the deflation mechanism through skin and tissue layers while maintaining an acceptable device profile
3Ease of operation
If the activation surface has a prominent maxima, then the activation surface is easily palpable and identifiable, but the device may be more noticeable or uncomfortable for the patient
Solution Approach 1:
Only the specific activation pad area has a protruding maxima for easy palpation, while the rest of the deflation assembly maintains a lower profile. This localized quality ensures the activation surface is easily identifiable without making the entire implanted device noticeable or uncomfortable for the patient
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable medical device includes an inflatable member, a reservoir, a pump attachable between the inflatable member and the reservoir and operable to move fluid from the reservoir to inflate the inflatable member, and a deflation assembly attachable between the pump and the reservoir. The deflation assembly includes a valve that selectively restricts movement of the fluid from the inflatable member to the reservoir, a base and an activation surface opposite the base. The activation surface has an outer peripheral rim surrounding a pad that is movable to displace the valve to allow the fluid to flow from the inflatable member to the reservoir. The pad is recessed relative to the outer peripheral rim such that the outer peripheral rim defines a maxima of the activation surface.