Inflatable Penile Prosthesis Valve Flow Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing penile prostheses face limitations in flow efficiency due to sub-optimal design features such as fluid path corners, oversized cavities, kink resistance tubing restrictions, and heavy return springs, which reduce the efficiency of refill and inflation valves, leading to increased effort and time for inflation and potential misuse by patients.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a refill valve assembly and inflation valve assembly with features like fluid dynamic force-driven movement, absence of biasing members, and optimized fluid passageways to enhance flow efficiency, including tapered seat portions, guide members, and flapper valves, which reduce fluid resistance and eliminate the need for springs, thereby improving the reliability and consistency of the device's operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional refill and inflation valves are used with springs and traditional fluid paths, then the valves can return to sealed position and control fluid flow, but the flow efficiency is limited and refill time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the biasing member (spring) from the valve assembly, extracting the component that was causing flow restrictions and delay. The valve member is returned to the sealed position solely by fluid dynamic forces, eliminating the time-consuming compression and release cycle of spring-based mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical spring-based biasing system with a fluid dynamic force-driven system. The valve member is moved and returned to sealed position using fluid pressure and flow dynamics rather than mechanical spring compression, resulting in faster refill times and improved flow efficiency.
2Reliability
If heavy return springs are used in conventional valves, then the valves can return to sealed position reliably, but the effort required for inflation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the heavy return spring from the valve assembly, eliminating the component that required significant compression force during inflation. The valve member is returned to the sealed position using fluid dynamic forces, significantly reducing the effort required for inflation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical spring-based return mechanism with a fluid dynamic force-driven system. The valve member is moved and returned to sealed position using fluid pressure and flow dynamics rather than mechanical spring compression, resulting in reduced inflation effort while maintaining reliable sealing.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional fluid passageways with corners and oversized cavities are used, then the valve structure is simple to manufacture, but flow efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the fluid passageway design by eliminating sharp corners and oversized cavities, replacing them with curved, streamlined passages that reduce flow separation and turbulence. This improves flow efficiency while maintaining manufacturability through modern molding techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the geometric parameters of the fluid passageway, including cross-sectional area, curvature radius, and passage length, to optimize flow characteristics. These parameter changes reduce flow resistance and improve efficiency while remaining compatible with manufacturing processes.
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 improved valve assemblies increase flow efficiency, reduce refill time, decrease the effort required for inflation, and enhance the reliability and consistency of the penile prosthesis operation, while also simplifying the design and reducing the risk of patient misuse.
Implementation Method 1
In response to the pump bulb being compressed, the valve member moves within the fluid passageway in a first direction to a closed position... In response to the pump bulb being uncompressed, the valve member moves within the fluid passageway in a second direction to an open position
Data Source
AI summary
According to an aspect, an inflatable penile prosthesis includes a reservoir configured to hold fluid, an inflatable member, and a pump assembly configured to facilitate a transfer of a fluid from the reservoir to the inflatable member. The pump assembly includes a pump bulb, and a valve body defining a fluid passageway. The valve body includes a refill valve disposed in the fluid passageway. The refill valve includes a valve member. In response to the pump bulb being compressed, the valve member moves within the fluid passageway in a first direction to a closed position in which the valve member blocks the fluid from being transferred around the refill valve. In response to the pump bulb being uncompressed, the valve member moves within the fluid passageway in a second direction to an open position in which the valve member allows the fluid to transfer around the refill valve.