Spring-Loaded Pump Reservoir for Penile Prosthesis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current penile implant systems for erectile dysfunction are invasive, require significant user manipulation, and involve time-consuming fluid transfer processes, making them difficult for users with dexterity issues or complicated instructions, and often require substantial fluid volume changes for erection and deflation.
Innovation Solution
A penile prosthesis system featuring a cylinder with an elongated inner opening, articulating segments, and a spring-based pump for efficient fluid transfer, along with a two-piece design that includes a pump and cylinder, allowing for minimal fluid volume changes and easy activation/deactivation, and optional electronic or piezoelectric pumps for remote control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a three-piece implantable penile prosthesis system is used with separate reservoir and pump components, then the erectile function can be effectively restored, but the implantation becomes more invasive and requires accessing multiple body areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the reservoir and pump into a single integrated device implanted in the scrotum, eliminating the need for separate abdominal reservoir implantation. This merging reduces the number of implantation sites from three (two cylinders plus separate reservoir) to two (two cylinders plus integrated pump-reservoir), thereby reducing surgical invasiveness while maintaining the three-piece system's reliability for erectile function restoration.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated pump-reservoir device performs multiple functions: it serves as both the fluid storage reservoir and the pumping mechanism for fluid transfer to the cylinders. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate dedicated reservoir component, simplifying the overall system architecture and reducing implantation complexity while preserving the therapeutic effect.
2Ease of operation
If traditional pump mechanisms are used requiring repeated squeezing and releasing cycles, then fluid can be transferred to achieve cylinder firmness, but the process becomes time-consuming and requires significant user manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a spring-loaded pump mechanism that utilizes periodic compression and release cycles. The spring stores mechanical energy during compression and automatically releases it to drive fluid transfer, reducing the number of manual cycles needed compared to traditional pump designs. This periodic action with energy storage significantly reduces both the time required for activation and the manual manipulation effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism is pre-compressed during the inflation process, storing mechanical energy in advance. This preliminary action of compressing the spring before fluid transfer eliminates the need for repeated manual pumping cycles, as the stored spring energy automatically drives the fluid transfer process, thereby reducing both activation time and user manipulation requirements.
3Ease of operation
If significant fluid volume transfer is required for erection and deflation, then the cylinders can be adequately inflated and deflated, but the process becomes more complex and requires greater manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a spring-loaded mechanism that provides excessive mechanical force during the inflation process, enabling adequate cylinder inflation with minimal fluid volume transfer. The spring's stored energy compensates for the reduced fluid volume, ensuring sufficient cylinder firmness is achieved without requiring large quantities of fluid to be transferred, thereby simplifying the activation process.
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 provides a user-friendly, minimally invasive solution with reduced fluid volume requirements for state changes, enhanced comfort, and improved ease of use, particularly for users with dexterity challenges, while maintaining system longevity.
Implementation Method 1
The pump includes a spring and a tube connected to and extending from the cylinder and the pump
Data Source
AI summary
A penile prosthesis system including at least one cylinder that has an elongated inner opening, a cylinder spring positioned within the opening and adjacent to a distal end of the inner opening, an activation plunger positioned within a proximal end of the opening of the cylinder, and a plurality of discrete members within the inner opening between the cylinder spring and the plunger. The system further includes a pump comprising a spring and a tube connected to and extending from the cylinder and the pump, wherein the tube is configured for transferring fluid to the at least one cylinder upon activation of the pump.