Reversible Flow Pump Assembly for Inflatable Penile Prosthesis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inflatable penile prostheses require significant time, energy, and effort to inflate and deflate, with cumbersome transitions between erection and flaccid states, which can be inconvenient for patients with erectile dysfunction.
Innovation Solution
An inflatable penile prosthesis with a reversible flow pump assembly that includes a pump, input and output check valves, and a reversing valve, allowing for automatic fluid transfer between a pressurized reservoir and an inflatable member during inflation and deflation modes, reducing the number of pump cycles required for desired rigidity and ease of operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional inflatable penile prosthesis is used, then the device can provide mechanical erection, but the time and effort required to inflate and deflate the device is significant and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between inflation and deflation modes using a reversible pump assembly with a reversing valve. The pump can change its operational direction to facilitate fluid transfer in either direction, enabling the inflatable member to transition between erect and flaccid states efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
A reversible pump assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism between the fluid reservoir and the inflatable member. This pump assembly, controlled by a reversing valve, mediates the fluid transfer process, allowing rapid inflation and deflation by controlling the direction of fluid flow rather than requiring manual pumping actions.
2Reliability
If multiple pump cycles are used to achieve desired rigidity, then sufficient erection firmness can be obtained, but the number of pumps and energy required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reversible pump assembly serves as a controlled intermediary that efficiently transfers fluid from the reservoir to the inflatable member. By using the reversing valve to control flow direction and the pump to provide controlled fluid displacement, the system achieves reliable rigidity with minimal pumping action, reducing the energy and effort required compared to traditional multi-cycle pumping.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the traditional mechanical pumping action requiring repeated manual cycles with a controlled fluid transfer mechanism. The reversible pump assembly, when activated, provides sufficient fluid transfer in a single or minimal pumping action, substituting for the repeated mechanical pumping cycles traditionally required to achieve the same result.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the pump is used for both inflation and deflation, then a single component can perform multiple functions, but the transition between modes is cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The reversible pump assembly is designed to dynamically switch between inflation and deflation modes through the reversing valve. This dynamic configuration allows the single pump component to perform both functions by changing the direction of fluid flow, making mode transition simple and rapid without requiring physical reconfiguration or additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The reversible pump assembly is a universal component that performs both inflation and deflation functions. By integrating the reversing valve with the pump mechanism, the system achieves multi-functionality in a single component, eliminating the need for separate inflation and deflation mechanisms while enabling easy mode transition through valve control.
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 solution significantly reduces the time and effort needed to achieve and maintain penile rigidity, allowing for faster inflation and easier deflation, enhancing user experience and operational reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The input check valve is configured to permit transfer of fluid into the pump. The output check valve is configured to permit transfer of fluid out of the pump.
Implementation Method 2
The reversing valve is configured to switch between the inflation mode and the deflation mode.
Implementation Method 3
a pump configured to be depressed causing the fluid to transfer from the reservoir to the inflatable member through the reversible flow pump assembly
Implementation Method 4
The reservoir may be pressurized such that activation of the reversing valve to the inflation mode causes at least a portion of the fluid to transfer from the reservoir to the inflatable member through the reversible flow pump assembly without operating the pump.
Data Source
AI summary
According to an aspect, an inflatable penile prosthesis includes an inflatable member, a reservoir configured to hold fluid, and a reversible flow pump assembly configured to facilitate a transfer of the fluid from the reservoir to the inflatable member when in an inflation mode, and facilitate the transfer of the fluid from the inflatable member to the reservoir when in a deflation mode. The reversible flow pump assembly includes a pump, an input check valve coupled to the pump, an output check valve coupled to the pump, and a reversing valve. The input check valve is configured to permit transfer of fluid into the pump. The output check valve is configured to permit transfer of fluid out of the pump. The reversing valve is configured to switch between the inflation mode and the deflation mode.