Implantable Penile Prosthesis Pump with One-Touch Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) pumps require complex manufacturing and are difficult for patients to control, with lengthy inflation and deflation times due to small bore tubes and lack of efficient fluid bypass mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A pump with a one-touch release mechanism, featuring a larger bore tube and a multi-functional deflate valve that allows voluntary fluid bypass from the penile cylinders to the reservoir without sustained activation, and a pump lockout valve to prevent fluid backflow during inflation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a traditional pump design with small bore tubes is used, then the device structure is compact, but the inflation and deflation time becomes lengthy
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is divided into distinct functional segments: a pump bulb for fluid transfer, a pump body housing, an inlet valve assembly, an exhaust valve assembly, and a deflate valve assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the larger bore tubes can be installed in the pump body without complicating the overall compact structure, as each segment performs a specific function and can be manufactured separately then assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assemblies (inlet valve, exhaust valve, and deflate valve) are nested within the pump body housing. The pump bulb is positioned within the pump body, with all components arranged in a compact nested configuration. This nesting allows the larger bore tubes to be routed through the nested structure without increasing the overall device footprint, maintaining compactness while enabling faster fluid flow.
2Ease of operation
If a complex pump mechanism is used, then fluid control precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The deflate function is extracted as a separate, dedicated deflate valve assembly that operates independently from the inflate mechanism. This extracted deflate valve provides a simple one-touch release mechanism with a voluntarily-activated fluid bypass, separate from the pump bulb operation. Patients can deflate the cylinders with a single action on the deflate valve without needing to manipulate the pump bulb or understand complex valve interactions, greatly simplifying operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump body housing serves multiple functions: it houses the inlet valve, exhaust valve, and deflate valve assemblies; it provides structural support; and it channels fluid flow between components. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, simplifying the overall device while maintaining precise fluid control through the integrated valve system.
3Loss of time
If sustained activation is required for deflation, then fluid flow control is precise, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deflate valve is pre-configured with a voluntarily-activated fluid bypass that is ready to open immediately upon patient activation. The bypass pathway is预先 established within the valve assembly, so when the patient activates the one-touch release, fluid flow begins instantly without delay for mechanism activation or sustained pressure application. This preliminary configuration of the bypass pathway enables rapid deflation while maintaining reliable flow control through the pre-designed valve geometry.
4Productivity
If simple tubing is used, then manufacturing is easier, but productivity decreases due to lengthy inflation/deflation cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The tubing system uses larger bore tubes specifically at critical flow paths where fluid velocity and flow rate are most important - namely the connections between the pump body and the penile cylinders, and the reservoir connections. The larger bore is applied locally where it provides maximum benefit to flow speed, while other tubing sections can remain standard size. This localized application of larger bore tubing improves productivity without requiring all tubing throughout the device to be oversized, maintaining ease of manufacture for the majority of the tubing system.
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 simplifies manufacturing, enhances patient control with easy one-touch operation, reduces inflation and deflation times, and prevents autoinflation by using a larger bore tube and a bypass valve, improving overall IPP functionality.
Implementation Method 1
The pump may require repeated collapsing of the pump bulb to transfer fluid from the reservoir to the penile cylinders
Implementation Method 2
an inlet valve within the pump body... opens to permit fluid flow from the reservoir to the pump bulb during pump bulb rebound
Implementation Method 3
an exhaust valve within the pump body and in fluid communication with the inlet valve
Implementation Method 4
The deflate valve enables one-touch release by (i) providing a voluntarily-activated fluid bypass so that fluid from the at least one inflatable penile cylinder can return to the fluid reservoir
Implementation Method 5
an inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) can include a larger bore tube or conduit between components of the IPP to reduce time needed to inflate and deflate the IPP
Data Source
AI summary
A pump adapted to be attached between a reservoir and an inflatable penile implant of an implantable penile prosthesis includes a pump body connected between a pump bulb and tubing that is attachable to the reservoir and to the inflatable penile implant. An inlet valve and an exhaust valve are disposed within the pump body between the pump bulb and the tubing. A deflate valve is disposed within the pump body between the inlet valve and the tubing. The deflate valve includes a valve stem connected between a spring stabilizer and a valve surface. An aperture is formed to extend entirely through the deflate valve.