Penile Implant Surface Segmentation Prevents Fibrotic Bridging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing penile implants face issues such as fibrotic tissue formation, mechanical damage due to bending, unnatural erection angle, high hydraulic fluid requirements, lack of radial and longitudinal expansion, and inadequate adjustability, leading to functional impairments and patient discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A penile implant with a surface structure featuring defined distances to prevent fibrotic tissue bridging, a pre-formed section for natural shape alignment, a bending portion for achieving an upward angle, and a foam-filled hollow design to reduce fluid volume and weight, along with expandable portions for adjustable size and stiffness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the implant is designed with folded or overlapped portions to enable expansion, then the implant can change size, but fibrotic tissue may bridge these portions and impede function
Solution Approach 1:
The implant surface is divided into multiple elevated areas separated by grooves, creating distinct segments that prevent fibrotic tissue from continuously bridging across the entire surface. This segmentation maintains expandability while blocking fibrotic tissue pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The surface structure features localized elevated areas with specific geometric characteristics that create controlled distances between them. These localized features prevent fibrotic tissue formation in critical areas while preserving the overall expandable structure.
2Ease of operation
If the implant is made with a smooth surface to reduce friction, then ease of operation is improved, but fibrotic tissue formation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The surface is not uniformly smooth but features localized elevated areas with specific geometric patterns. These localized features create distance barriers that prevent fibrotic tissue formation while maintaining overall surface smoothness for ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous smooth surface is segmented into multiple elevated areas separated by grooves. This segmentation disrupts fibrotic tissue continuity while preserving the smooth texture needed for comfortable operation.
3Strength
If the implant is designed to be rigid to maintain structural integrity, then strength is improved, but the ability to bend naturally is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is divided into multiple rigid segments (elevated areas) connected by flexible grooves. This segmentation allows each segment to maintain structural integrity while the connections between segments provide bending capability for natural movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant combines rigid elevated areas with flexible groove regions, creating a composite structure that simultaneously provides strength and bending capability. This composite design allows the implant to maintain structural integrity while adapting to natural penile curvature.
4Weight of moving object
If the implant uses a hollow foam structure to reduce weight, then weight is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The implant uses a hollow foam structure with porous characteristics to reduce weight while maintaining structural integrity. The porous foam material provides strength-to-weight ratio benefits while the modular design simplifies manufacturing compared to solid alternative materials.
Data Source
AI summary
Penile implant and system comprising such an implant. The penile implant comprises a number of features which improves the function of the penile implant, e.g. a certain surface structure and portions with specific functions.