Reinforced Pump Bulb for Inflatable Penile Prosthesis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inflatable penile prostheses often have pump mechanisms that are too rigid or require excessive effort to activate, and are inefficient, necessitating multiple squeezes to inflate or deflate the cylinders.
Innovation Solution
The development of a reinforced pump bulb member with a cavity defined by a sidewall of varying thickness and material composition, including a frame and casing portion, which reduces the compressive force needed for activation and enhances efficiency by allowing for easier fluid transfer between the reservoir and inflatable member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid pump mechanism is used, then structural strength is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to excessive effort required to activate
Solution Approach 1:
The pump bulb member is segmented into a two-layer structure with an inner layer and an outer layer, each having different material properties. The inner layer provides flexibility for easy compression while the outer layer provides structural strength and durability, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump bulb member is constructed from composite materials with different durometer values - the inner layer has a first durometer and the outer layer has a second durometer that is higher than the first. This composite structure allows the pump to be both easy to compress (due to the softer inner layer) and structurally sound (due to the harder outer layer).
2Reliability
If a rigid pump mechanism is used, then durability is improved, but efficiency deteriorates requiring multiple sequential squeezes to inflate
Solution Approach 1:
The pump bulb member is segmented into a two-layer structure with an inner layer and an outer layer, each having different material properties. The inner layer provides flexibility for easy compression while the outer layer provides structural strength and durability, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the pump bulb by using materials with different durometer values for the inner and outer layers. This parameter change allows the pump to achieve both durability (through the harder outer layer) and inflation efficiency (through the softer inner layer that requires less compression force).
3Strength
If excessive compressive force is required, then structural integrity during compression is improved, but ease of operation and inflation speed deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The pump bulb member is constructed from composite materials with different durometer values - the inner layer has a first durometer and the outer layer has a second durometer that is higher than the first. This composite structure allows the pump to be both easy to compress (due to the softer inner layer) and structurally sound (due to the harder outer layer).
Data Source
AI summary
According to an aspect, an inflatable penile prosthesis having an inflatable member; a reservoir configured to hold fluid; and a pump assembly configured to facilitate a transfer of the fluid from the reservoir to the inflatable member when the prosthesis is in an inflation mode, and facilitate a transfer of the fluid from the inflatable member to the reservoir when the prosthesis is in a deflation mode, the pump assembly including a valve housing and a reinforced pump bulb member.