Penile Prosthesis Insertion Tool with Suture Protector

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Solution Overview

Problem

Surgeons face difficulties in fully seating the proximal end of penile prosthesis cylinders into the crus penis, especially in cases of sclerosis, where traditional tools may risk perforating the cylinder or fail to achieve complete insertion.

Innovation Solution

A tool with a handle, guide, and suture protector, featuring distinct cradles for different cylinder sizes and tubing angles, allowing for precise engagement and full seating of both narrow and broad cylinders, even in sclerotic conditions, without relying on rear tip extenders.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional tools are used to insert the proximal end of the cylinder into the crus penis, then the insertion procedure is simple, but the risk of perforating the cylinder increases and complete insertion cannot be achieved in sclerotic conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverisk of perforationVSAvoidinsertion difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a specialized insertion tool as an intermediary device between the surgeon and the cylinder. This tool includes a guide with a cradle that receives the proximal end of the cylinder, and a distal end with a tapered portion that engages the crus penis. The tool mediates the insertion process by providing controlled force transmission and precise positioning, eliminating the need for direct manual manipulation that risks cylinder perforation while ensuring complete insertion even in sclerotic conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a single-size cradle is used in the guide, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate both narrow and broad cylinders with different tubing angles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccommodation of different cylinder sizesVSAvoidguide structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide structure is segmented into multiple functional zones: a first cradle region with a wider lateral width configured to receive narrow cylinders, and a second cradle region with a narrower lateral width configured to receive broad cylinders. Each cradle is positioned at different longitudinal locations along the guide, allowing the tool to accommodate cylinders with different diameters and tubing angles through selective engagement, thereby achieving versatility without requiring a completely complex reconfigurable structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3127489B1Penile prosthesis insertion tool
Publication Date: 2018.08.22 COLOPLAST AS
  • EP3127489B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3127489B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3127489B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

A tool for inserting a cylinder of a penile prosthesis into a patient includes a handle extending between first and second guides. A first guide (24) located at a first end portion of the tool, the first guide including a first cylinder cradle on a first side of the tool and a first tubing cradle on a second side of the tool that is opposite of the first side of the tool; and a suture protector (206) located at a second end portion of the tool, the suture protector including a flat suture plate (208) on a first side and a curved face (210) on a side opposite of the flat suture plate; wherein a shape and a size of the curved face of the suture protector is similar to a curvature of the first cylinder cradle.