Resorbable Suture Component for Penile Prosthetic Implantation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing penile prosthetics may alter the characteristics of the cylinder over time, affecting the natural feel of erections, and require permanent suture attachment features that can complicate implantation and adjustment.

Innovation Solution

A penile prosthetic with a resorbable suture-engagement component (RSEC) attached to the cylinder, allowing for easy implantation and adjustment without permanent attachments, ensuring the distal end expands naturally and maximally to provide improved girth and fullness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a permanent suture attachment feature is used on the cylinder, then the cylinder can be securely attached during implantation, but it alters the characteristics of the cylinder over time and complicates the implantation procedure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure attachment during implantationVSAvoidpermanent suture attachment feature

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The suture engagement component is separated from the cylinder body as a distinct, removable element. The cylinder surface remains smooth without integrated suture features, while a separate resorbable component provides temporary attachment during implantation and is later removed by dissolution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

A resorbable suture engagement component is used that serves its purpose during implantation and then naturally dissolves in the body over time, eliminating the need for permanent attachment features and subsequent removal procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Ease of operation

If a smooth cylinder surface is used, then the cylinder maintains its natural characteristics and feel, but it is difficult to attach sutures for implantation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenatural feel of erectionVSAvoidsuture attachment to smooth surface

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The suture attachment function is segmented from the cylinder body, placed on a separate resorbable component that is attached to the cylinder. This allows the cylinder surface to remain smooth while providing a dedicated location for suture engagement on the separate component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A resorbable suture engagement component acts as an intermediary between the smooth cylinder surface and the suture. It provides a surface for suture attachment without requiring modification to the cylinder itself, and this intermediary naturally dissolves after serving its temporary purpose.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If a resorbable suture-engagement component is used, then the cylinder can be easily implanted and adjusted without permanent attachments, but it adds an additional component to the prosthetic system

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeasy implantation and adjustmentVSAvoidadditional resorbable component

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The resorbable suture engagement component is designed to be temporarily present during implantation and adjustment, then naturally discarded through biodegradation in the body. This eliminates the need for surgical removal and avoids permanent foreign material while providing necessary functionality during the critical implantation phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The resorbable component changes its physical and chemical parameters over time through biodegradation, transitioning from a structurally intact state that can engage sutures to a dissolved state that eliminates the component entirely, thereby reducing long-term device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 RSEC enables optimal placement and filling of the distal-most part of the corpora cavernosum, providing a more natural feel of the erection and simplifying the surgical procedure by dissolving post-surgery, thus avoiding changes in prosthetic characteristics over time.

Implementation Method 1

A resorbable suture-engagement component is attached to an exterior surface of the cylinder. The suture-engaging component is resorbable into the tissue of the penis.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBiodegradation: Decomposition (biological)

Data Source

PatentUS10238526B2Method of implanting a penile prosthetic in a patient

Publication Date: 2019.03.26 COLOPLAST AS

AI summary

A method of implanting a penile prosthetic in a patient includes providing an implantable cylinder with a resorbable component attached to an exterior surface of the implantable cylinder and a tow line engaged with the resorbable component. The method includes inserting the tow line into a corpora cavernosum of a penis, directing the tow line through a glans of the penis, and pulling on the tow line and moving the implantable cylinder into the corpora cavernosum of the penis. The method includes locating a distal end of the implantable cylinder in a distal location in the corpora cavernosum of the penis, and disengaging the tow line from the resorbable component.