Artificial Sphincter Pump Check Valve for Sudden Pressure Occlusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inflatable artificial sphincters fail to effectively occlude excretory body passages during sudden pressure increases in the abdomen, leading to unintended leakage of fluids.
Innovation Solution
The artificial sphincter system incorporates a pressure-sensitive check valve and a semipermeable check valve, along with a stretchable fluid reservoir and a pump with a compressible bulb, to ensure effective occlusion and prevent leakage even under sudden pressure increments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional inflatable artificial sphincter is used, then the device structure is simple, but the cuff fails to effectively occlude the excretory body passage when sudden abdominal pressure increases occur
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure compensation balloon is pre-filled with pressurizing fluid and positioned to automatically respond to pressure changes. When sudden abdominal pressure increases occur, the balloon expands first to counterbalance the pressure before fluid can be transferred from the reservoir to the cuff, maintaining occlusion effectiveness proactively rather than reactively
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure compensation balloon acts as an intermediary element between the abdominal pressure environment and the occlusion cuff. It mediates the pressure transmission by absorbing sudden pressure increments and preventing direct pressure transmission to the cuff, thereby maintaining occlusion effectiveness without requiring complex active control mechanisms
2Reliability
If check valves and flow retarders are added to prevent fluid leakage, then the occlusion reliability improves, but the device complexity and infection risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the need for check valves and flow retarders from the system. By using a stretchable fluid reservoir with elastic walls that respond passively to pressure changes, the system achieves reliable occlusion without these additional components, thereby reducing device complexity and infection risk while maintaining occlusion reliability
3Reliability
If multiple components such as check valves and flow retarders are included, then the occlusion control improves, but the service life decreases due to clogging from solid particle content
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes check valves, flow retarders, and other complex components that are susceptible to clogging from solid particle content. The simplified system using only a stretchable fluid reservoir and pressure compensation balloon eliminates the components that would fail first, thereby extending the service life of the artificial sphincter while maintaining adequate occlusion control
Solution Approach 2:
The stretchable fluid reservoir is designed as a simple, robust component without moving parts or complex structures that could fail. This simplified design, while potentially requiring replacement, eliminates the clogging issues associated with complex components, effectively extending the functional service life of the overall device
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 system effectively maintains occlusion of the excretory body passage during sudden abdominal pressure increases, preventing unintended leakage and enhancing the reliability and service life of the artificial sphincter.
Implementation Method 1
As the pressure compensation balloon (24) responds to a sudden pressure increase which occurs in the abdomen of a patient
Implementation Method 2
a stretchable fluid reservoir (23) for storing pressurizing fluid
Implementation Method 3
a pump (7) for selectively transferring the pressurizing fluid
Data Source
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AI summary
The artificial sphincter comprises an inflatable occlusion means for occluding a body passage, a stretchable fluid reservoir, a pump means and an occlusion means. A pressurizing fluid is selectively transferred from the occlusion means to the reservoir for deflating the occlusion means so that a blocked body passage may be opened. The artificial sphincter also comprises a semipermeable check valve which always allows fluid flow towards the stretchable fluid reservoir. The pump means comprises a check valve located in between the second port of the pump and the bulb. The check valve comprises a ball, a blockage seat and one or more resilient lips located circumferentially above the ball. The check valve blocks fluid flow towards the occlusion means and allows fluid flow towards the fluid reservoir when, in use, the bulb is squeezed.