Piezoelectric Implant Pump Stroke Control for Stable Inflation Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implantable fluid-operated devices face challenges with inconsistent inflation, deflation, pressurization, and deactivation due to manual operation, affecting patient comfort and device efficacy, and electronically controlled systems are prone to failure and performance degradation.
Innovation Solution
An implantable fluid-operated device with a piezoelectric-operated pump system, controlled by a processor, that adjusts pump stroke based on pressure thresholds to maintain consistent fluid flow, using a deformable diaphragm and piezoelectric element driven by electrical energy, with a pressure sensor for feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual operation of the pumping device is used, then the device structure can be simple, but the inflation and deflation consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical pumping operation with an electronically controlled piezoelectric pump system. The piezoelectric element converts electrical signals into mechanical motion to drive the pump, eliminating manual operation and providing consistent, programmable fluid transfer between the reservoir and inflatable member.
Solution Approach 2:
The implantable pump system is designed to operate autonomously within the body using a rechargeable battery and electronic control circuitry. The system can self-regulate fluid pressure and flow rates through programmed control algorithms, eliminating the need for external manual operation while maintaining reliable performance.
2Measurement precision
If electronically operated pumps and valves are used, then the control precision is improved, but the device complexity and failure risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The piezoelectric element serves multiple functions within the system: it acts as both the actuator for the pump mechanism and the valve control element. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate electronic components needed, thereby lowering overall system complexity while maintaining precise control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a single piezoelectric element with variable operating parameters (voltage amplitude, frequency, pulse width modulation) to achieve different pump and valve functions. By changing electrical parameters rather than using multiple fixed-function components, the system maintains control precision while reducing complexity.
3Productivity
If electronically operated pumps and valves are used, then the fluid flow control is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to more modes of failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electronic valve mechanisms with a piezoelectrically actuated system that uses material deformation to control fluid flow. The piezoelectric effect provides a direct coupling between electrical and mechanical domains, eliminating intermediate mechanical linkages and potential failure points while maintaining precise flow control.
Solution Approach 2:
The piezoelectric pump system includes self-diagnostic and self-regulating capabilities through integrated pressure sensors and control algorithms. The system can detect and compensate for performance degradation or failure conditions, maintaining reliable operation and providing early warning before complete system failure occurs.
4Ease of operation
If fixed pump stroke is used, then the device operation is simple, but the adaptability to changing conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system transitions from fixed stroke operation to dynamically adjustable stroke length controlled by variable voltage signals to the piezoelectric element. The control system can program different stroke patterns, frequencies, and amplitudes to adapt to varying fluid pressure conditions, patient needs, and therapeutic requirements while maintaining simple user interface operation.
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 system ensures precise and consistent control of fluid flow, improving patient comfort and device efficacy by preventing failure and performance degradation, allowing for efficient operation and adaptive response to changing conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric element coupled to the deformable diaphragm; driver circuitry configured for providing a waveform of electrical energy from the battery to the piezoelectric element to drive the piezoelectric element to repeatedly change a volume of the fluid chamber by deforming the deformable diaphragm
Data Source
AI summary
The techniques described herein relate to a method of controlling fluid flow between a fluid reservoir and an inflatable member in an implantable fluid-operated device. The method includes: providing a first waveform of electrical energy from a battery of the device to a piezoelectric pump of the device to drive the piezoelectric pump to repeatedly change a volume of a fluid chamber in the pump by a first amount, ΔV1, a number of times to pump fluid from the fluid reservoir to the inflatable member; and determining a first fluid pressure in the inflatable member based on the first amount of the change of the volume of the fluid chamber and the number of times the volume is changed.