Reversible Flow Pump Assembly for Faster Prosthesis Inflation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inflatable penile prostheses require a high number of pumps and time to achieve desired penis rigidity, and the deflation process is often cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
An inflatable penile prosthesis with a reversible flow pump assembly that includes a pump, a valve body with one-way valves, and a selection member to facilitate fluid transfer between a reservoir and an inflatable member, allowing for efficient inflation and deflation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional inflatable penile prosthesis designs are used, then the device can provide erection function, but the number of pumps required and time to achieve desired rigidity is relatively high
Solution Approach 1:
The pump assembly is designed with movable selection members that allow dynamic switching between different fluid flow paths. The selection members can be positioned to connect the pump to either the reservoir or the inflatable member, enabling flexible control over inflation dynamics and reducing the number of pumps needed to achieve desired rigidity.
2Ease of operation
If traditional inflatable penile prosthesis designs are used, then the device can provide erection function, but transitioning to the deflation state is relatively cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple valve functions are merged into a single integrated pump assembly. The selection members serve dual purposes: controlling both inflation and deflation operations, and managing fluid flow to multiple destinations (reservoir and inflatable member). This consolidation simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining comprehensive control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump assembly is designed as a multi-functional unit that can perform both inflation and deflation operations. The selection members enable the same pump mechanism to redirect fluid flow in different directions based on operational needs, eliminating the requirement for separate inflation and deflation mechanisms.
3Productivity
If a reversible flow pump assembly with multiple valves is implemented, then inflation and deflation efficiency is improved, but the valve body complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is segmented into distinct fluid channels, each equipped with specific one-way valves. The first and second channels manage reservoir-pump fluid transfer, while the third and fourth channels handle inflatable member-pump fluid transfer. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each flow path while maintaining overall system efficiency.
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 design reduces the number of components in the pump assembly, simplifying the device and improving performance by reducing the effort required for inflation and automating the deflation process.
Implementation Method 1
a valve body having a first valve and a second valve and a third valve and a fourth valve, each configured as a one-way valve
Data Source
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AI summary
According to an aspect, an inflatable penile prosthesis includes an inflatable member, a reservoir (202) configured to hold fluid, and a pump assembly (201) 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 includes a pump (206), a valve body (207) having a first valve and a second valve, and a selection member (209) defining a lumen, the selection member being movable from a first position to place the prosthesis in the inflation mode and a second position to place the prosthesis in the deflation mode.