Penile Implant Base With Inflatable Bladder for Anatomical Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing penile implants face challenges in accommodating varying anatomical sizes, leading to the need for a large inventory of different lengths and diameters, and issues with implantation in smaller anatomies and stability in larger anatomies.
Innovation Solution
A penile prosthetic implant base featuring a fluid distribution manifold with a tapered outside diameter, an inflatable bladder that transitions between deflated and inflated states, and a core for insertion into the crus of the penis, providing easier implantation and stability through radial and axial expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fixed-size implants are maintained in inventory to accommodate varying anatomical sizes, then coverage of different anatomies is improved, but inventory cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The implant base incorporates an inflatable bladder that can be expanded or deflated to change its outer diameter. This dynamic adjustment allows a single implant design to accommodate different anatomical sizes by inflating the bladder to provide appropriate radial expansion and stability, eliminating the need to maintain multiple fixed-size implants in inventory.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a larger variety of implant sizes is available, then anatomical coverage is improved, but implantation difficulty in smaller anatomies increases
Solution Approach 1:
The implant base features a deflatable bladder state that reduces the outer diameter during implantation. This allows the implant to be inserted into smaller anatomical spaces more easily, and then the bladder is inflated to provide the necessary radial expansion and stability for the final implanted state, solving the implantation difficulty in smaller anatomies.
Solution Approach 2:
The inflatable bladder is positioned within the base structure, allowing it to be collapsed inward during implantation and then expanded outward to provide the necessary radial dimensions. This nested configuration enables the implant to pass through smaller openings while still achieving its full functional size afterward.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a larger variety of implant sizes is available, then anatomical coverage is improved, but stability in larger anatomies deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable bladder can be expanded to increase the outer diameter of the base, providing greater radial expansion and improved stability in larger anatomical spaces. This dynamic expansion allows the implant to achieve optimal stability regardless of the patient's anatomical size, eliminating the need for larger fixed-size implants.
4Ease of manufacture
If fixed-size implants are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to varying anatomies decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The implant incorporates an inflatable bladder that can be adjusted after manufacturing to provide different outer diameters. This allows a single manufactured design to adapt to varying anatomical requirements through post-manufacturing inflation, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The inflatable bladder provides multiple functions: during implantation it is deflated to facilitate insertion, and in the final state it is inflated to provide radial expansion and stability. This multi-functionality allows a single implant design to serve multiple anatomical sizes and requirements.
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 allows for a wider range of anatomical accommodations, reduces the need for various implant sizes, and enhances stability in both smaller and larger anatomies by facilitating easier insertion and maintaining position during erections.
Implementation Method 1
The inflatable bladder is configured to expand from an initial collapsed state to an expanded state. The base allows for radial and axial expansion to accommodate a wider variety of anatomies.
Implementation Method 2
The fluid distribution manifold has a tapered outside diameter which facilitates easier insertion of the base into the crus.
Data Source
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AI summary
A base (30( for a penile prosthetic implant is disclosed. The base includes a fluid distribution manifold (32) attached to and in fluid communication with an inflatable cylinder (22) sized for implantation into a corpora cavernosum of a penis. The fluid distribution manifold is also connected to a core (38) sized for implantation into a crus of the penis and in fluid communication with an inflatable bladder (40). The inflatable bladder provides an outer surface of the base between a proximal end of the core and a proximal end of the fluid distribution manifold. The fluid distribution manifold has a tapered outside diameter.