Rear Tip Extender Multiple Locks Penile Prosthesis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing penile prostheses face challenges in achieving a secure fit within the crus penis, with variations in depth and width leading to issues with attachment and potential tissue ingrowth during use, complicating explant procedures.

Innovation Solution

A rear tip extender with multiple locks, including an annular protrusion and wedge-shaped teeth, securely attaches to the penile prosthesis, preventing gap formation and enhancing explant capabilities by resisting separation under bending forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a rear tip extender is attached to the penile prosthesis, then the fit and adjustability of the implant is improved, but the risk of gap formation and tissue ingrowth increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefit adjustmentVSAvoidtissue ingrowth
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The rear tip extender is divided into multiple segments with individual locks positioned at different locations along its length. Each lock can independently engage with the prosthesis, creating multiple attachment points that distribute mechanical stress and prevent gap formation between the extender and prosthesis interface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The exterior surface of the rear tip extender is pre-formed with a smooth finish that mates with the prosthesis surface before implantation. This preliminary surface preparation prevents tissue ingrowth by eliminating gaps and irregularities where tissue could proliferate, while still allowing for secure mechanical engagement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the rear tip extender is securely locked to the prosthesis, then the resistance to detachment is improved, but the complexity of the locking mechanism increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment securityVSAvoidlocking mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is designed to automatically engage and lock the rear tip extender to the prosthesis without requiring additional fastening steps. The locks self-engage through elastic deformation of resilient arms that snap into engagement with the prosthesis surface, providing secure attachment while maintaining simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism utilizes elastic deformation of resilient arms as the key parameter change. The arms are designed with specific elastic properties that allow them to flex during attachment and then snap back to lock securely, providing reliable attachment through material property rather than complex mechanical structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Force

If multiple locks are used on the rear tip extender, then the pull-off force is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepull-off forceVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The multiple locks are distributed at different positions along the rear tip extender, with each lock contributing additively to the total pull-off force. This segmentation allows the force requirement to be divided into smaller, more manageable lock engagements, achieving high overall strength without requiring each individual lock to be overly complex

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient arms are manufactured with specific elastic modulus and geometric parameters that enable them to provide the required locking force through simple bending deformation. This parameter optimization allows multiple locks to be implemented using identical, easily manufactured components rather than complex assemblies

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4349304B1A rear tip extender having multiple locks for coupling with a penile prosthesis
Publication Date: 2025.07.23 COLOPLAST AS
  • EP4349304B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4349304B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4349304B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An implantable penile prosthesis system (100) has a penile implant (102) with a proximal portion (134) provided with an annular groove (140) and a neck groove (160), and a rear tip extender (104) forming a cavity (202) sized to receive the proximal portion of the penile implant. The cavity of the rear tip extender is provided with a plurality of locks (200). The locks include a distal lock (240) formed as an annular protrusion sized to engage with the annular groove of the penile implant and a proximal lock (260) formed as a wedge-shaped tooth sized to engage the neck groove of the penile implant.