Penile Prosthetic Inlet Valve High Velocity Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing penile prosthetics face challenges with high-pressure deflation, where the pressure of the cylinders can undesirably close the deflation mechanism, making it difficult to deflate the prosthetic efficiently, especially at pressures above 8 psi.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an inlet valve assembly with a tubular sleeve that provides a high-velocity closure mechanism to prevent high-pressure fluid from closing the deflation valve during device deflation, ensuring the deflation valve remains open and preventing flow restrictions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If the cylinders are inflated to high pressure (several psi or greater), then the erect state is achieved and maintained, but the deflation mechanism may undesirably close due to the high pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet valve is segmented into two separate sealing surfaces: a first valve seat for normal operation and a second valve seat for high-pressure conditions. This segmentation allows the single inlet valve to handle both low-pressure inflation and high-pressure deflation scenarios independently, preventing the deflation mechanism from closing under high pressure while maintaining ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If a simple deflation mechanism is provided, then ease of operation is improved, but the mechanism may fail under high pressure conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet valve is designed to dynamically respond to pressure conditions by selectively seating against different valve seats. Under normal pressure, it seats against the first valve seat for standard operation. Under high pressure deflation conditions, the pressure differential forces the valve to seat against the second valve seat, which is positioned to prevent closure of the deflation mechanism. This dynamic adaptation maintains both ease of operation and reliability across varying pressure conditions.
3Productivity
If the inlet valve allows fluid flow during deflation, then deflation efficiency is improved, but high pressure fluid may close the deflation mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The second valve seat acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the high-pressure fluid and the deflation mechanism. By providing an alternative sealing surface specifically designed for high-pressure conditions, it allows the inlet valve to remain open for efficient fluid flow during deflation while preventing the harmful effect of high pressure from closing the deflation mechanism, thus maintaining both deflation efficiency and ease of 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
This solution allows for reliable and efficient deflation of the penile prosthetic even at high pressures, maintaining the one-touch release feature and preventing autoinflation, thus ensuring easy transition between erect and flaccid states.
Implementation Method 1
an inlet valve assembly with a tubular sleeve that provides a high-velocity closure mechanism to prevent high-pressure fluid from closing the deflation valve
Data Source
AI summary
A pump connected to a reservoir and a cylinder of an implantable penile prosthesis includes a pump body and an inlet valve assembly. The pump body has a pump bulb connected to the pump body, where the pump bulb is operable to move fluid between the reservoir and the cylinder. The inlet valve assembly includes a valve and a tubular sleeve that provides an exit valve seat. The inlet valve assembly is disposed in an inlet channel of the pump body and operable to allow a portion of fluid to be drawn from the reservoir through the tubular sleeve and through the inlet channel to the pump bulb for delivery into the cylinder.