Sutureless Penile Prosthesis Expansion Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing implantation procedures for penile prostheses cause bleeding and discomfort due to the need to pass a needle through the glans penis, which forms a lesion.

Innovation Solution

A sutureless penile prosthesis system with an insertion tool featuring an expansion mechanism that allows the prosthesis to be implanted without needles or sutures, using a cannula with an expansion mechanism that engages with the prosthesis to provide traction for insertion into the corpora cavernosa.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a needle is used to pass through the glans penis to guide the prosthesis, then the prosthesis can be implanted, but a lesion is formed causing bleeding and discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprosthesis implantationVSAvoidlesion, bleeding, discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the needle and suture components from the implantation process. Instead of using a needle to pass through the glans penis, the invention uses an expansion mechanism that expands within the prosthesis itself to create anchoring engagement, thereby eliminating the harmful needle puncture while maintaining secure prosthesis placement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The expansion mechanism acts as an intermediary between the insertion tool and the prosthesis. The expansion mechanism receives the insertion tool and provides a controlled expansion force that secures the prosthesis without requiring external needles or sutures to penetrate the glans penis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a needle and suture are used to guide the prosthesis, then the prosthesis can be positioned, but the procedure causes patient discomfort and bleeding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprosthesis positioningVSAvoidbleeding, discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the needle and suture from the procedure. The expansion mechanism provides all necessary positioning and anchoring functions internally within the prosthesis, removing the need for any penetrating instruments that would cause patient discomfort or bleeding

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The prosthesis performs its own anchoring function through the expansion mechanism. The expansion mechanism expands within the prosthesis to create engagement surfaces that secure the device in place without requiring external needles, sutures, or tissue penetration, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating harmful effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If an insertion tool is used with a needle, then the prosthesis can be inserted, but the tool complexity increases and removal becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion efficiencyVSAvoidtool complexity, removal difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the needle component from the insertion tool, simplifying the overall device design. The insertion tool only needs to deliver and deploy the expansion mechanism, which then self-anchors within the prosthesis, reducing tool complexity and facilitating easier removal after deployment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The insertion tool is designed to be temporary and is discarded after delivering the expansion mechanism. The expansion mechanism remains as part of the permanent prosthesis assembly, providing ongoing anchoring without requiring the complex needle-guided suture system to be left in place, thereby simplifying both the tool and the implantation procedure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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

Enables the implantation of penile prostheses without causing lesions or bleeding, reducing discomfort and facilitating easier removal of the insertion tool without disturbing the implanted prosthesis.

Implementation Method 1

The opening in the tip(s) is sized to receive the distal end of the insertion tool and the expansion mechanism is configured to expand into the pocket to couple the insertion tool with the penile prosthesis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectExpansion:

Data Source

PatentUS7938770B2Penile prosthesis, penile prosthesis insertion tool and system thereof

Publication Date: 2011.05.10 COLOPLAST AS

AI summary

An implantable penile prosthesis system includes a penile prosthesis and an insertion tool. The penile prosthesis includes a cylinder extending between a distal tip and a proximal tip. At least one of the distal tip and the proximal tip has a pocket accessible by an opening, where the pocket is formed to extend laterally beyond a perimeter of the opening. The insertion tool extends between a distal end and a proximal end and includes an expansion mechanism coupled to the distal end. The opening in the tip(s) is sized to receive the distal end of the insertion tool and the expansion mechanism is configured to expand into the pocket to couple the insertion tool with the penile prosthesis.