Sensor-Actuated Penile Ring for Dynamic Urethral Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current penile rings for managing urinary incontinence are often uncomfortable and can cause tissue damage due to prolonged use, and existing solutions fail to provide effective and discrete control over stress and urge incontinence.
Innovation Solution
A penile ring with a ring-shaped body featuring a dorsal backstop support and ventral compression pads that expand radially to occlude the urethra, equipped with a sensor to detect urine flow and trigger the expansion of the pads, providing controlled compression to prevent leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If penile rings are used to occlude the urethra continuously, then incontinence is prevented, but tissue damage and discomfort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The penile ring transitions from a static continuous compression device to a dynamic device that adjusts compression based on real-time urine flow detection. The compression pads expand only when urine flow is detected, allowing the urethra to remain uncompressed during normal conditions, thus preventing tissue damage while maintaining incontinence control when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous compression, the device applies periodic compression only when urine flow is detected. This intermittent action pattern allows the urethra to breathe and reduces cumulative pressure damage while still preventing incontinence episodes when they occur.
2Reliability
If penile rings apply continuous compression to the urethra, then leakage is prevented, but user comfort decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The device dynamically adjusts the compression state based on urine flow detection. During normal conditions, the compression pads remain relaxed providing no discomfort. When urine flow is detected, the pads quickly expand to provide compression and prevent leakage, then relax again, creating a comfortable dynamic experience rather than continuous discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The device automatically detects urine flow and activates compression without user intervention. The sensor continuously monitors urine flow and triggers the compression pads accordingly, eliminating the need for user manipulation while ensuring comfort through automatic, needs-based activation.
3Ease of manufacture
If penile rings use simple compression structures, then manufacturing is easy, but control precision over urine flow is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates a sensor that continuously monitors urine flow and provides feedback to the compression pads. This feedback mechanism enables precise control over when compression is applied, allowing the device to respond accurately to urine flow conditions and provide precise control over leakage prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The device replaces purely mechanical compression systems with a sensor-actuated system. The sensor detects urine flow and triggers the compression pads via an actuation mechanism, providing more precise control over compression timing and intensity compared to simple mechanical designs, while remaining manufacturable.
Data Source
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AI summary
A penile ring, a penile ring adapted for closing the urethra to prevent stress incontinence, having a ring-shaped body configured for surrounding a penis, the ring-shaped body comprising an upper part (10) including a backstop (20) extending in an arc around the upper part, and a lower part (30) including one or more expandable compression pads (40). The penile ring comprises a sensor (110) to detect urine flow in the urethra and to provide a signal that triggers the compression pads to expand inwards to occlude the urethra and thereby preventing flow of urine.