Suburethral Hammock with Adjustable Pubic Bone Suspension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices for treating urinary incontinence, such as TVT strips and artificial sphincters, often require multiple surgeries, are expensive, and can cause significant trauma and complications due to their complex installation and anchoring methods, which are not suitable for all degrees and types of incontinence.
Innovation Solution
An implantable prosthesis with an atraumatic suspension system using straps that straddle the pubic bone, maintaining a constant support distance from the pubic symphysis, and reversible adjustment mechanisms to adapt to individual anatomy and incontinence severity, reducing trauma and complications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If TVT strips are implanted to treat incontinence, then the treatment effectiveness is improved, but the surgical complexity and trauma to the patient increases
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthesis is divided into distinct functional components: a support member for urethral support, suspension straps for anchoring to pubic bone, and adjustment means for positioning. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the implantation process by enabling staged placement and adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The prosthesis incorporates adjustable suspension straps with reversible adjustment mechanisms that allow the support distance to be modified after implantation. This dynamic capability enables optimization of treatment effectiveness post-surgery without requiring additional complex surgical interventions.
2Reliability
If artificial sphincters are implanted for severe incontinence, then the treatment effectiveness is improved, but the cost and surgical complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthesis uses simple, inexpensive materials such as biocompatible polymers and textiles for the support member and suspension straps, avoiding the need for complex mechanical or electronic components found in artificial sphincters. This reduces both device cost and surgical complexity while maintaining treatment effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The prosthesis achieves adaptability through physical adjustment of geometric parameters, specifically the support distance between the support member and pubic bone, rather than requiring complex mechanical or electronic control systems. This simple parameter adjustment provides versatile treatment capability across different incontinence severities.
3Stability of the object's composition
If textile plates are fixed to pubic bone using anchoring devices, then the mechanical stability is improved, but the trauma and complication risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension straps are constructed from flexible biocompatible textile materials that conform to the pubic bone anatomy and distribute mechanical loads over a larger surface area. This flexible approach provides adequate mechanical stability without requiring rigid anchoring devices that cause bone trauma.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension straps are designed with sufficient length and flexibility to accommodate anatomical variations and provide cushioning between the support member and pubic bone. This pre-designed flexibility prevents concentration of stress on small bone areas, reducing the risk of complications while maintaining stability.
4Stability of the object's composition
If fixed support distance is used in prosthesis, then the mechanical stability is improved, but the adaptability to individual anatomy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension straps incorporate reversible adjustment mechanisms that allow the support distance to be modified after implantation. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the prosthesis to adapt to individual anatomical variations and optimize treatment effectiveness without compromising the mechanical stability provided by the anchored suspension system.
Solution Approach 2:
The prosthesis design allows for physical adjustment of the support distance parameter following implantation, enabling customization to match individual patient anatomy. This parameter adjustment maintains mechanical stability through the anchored suspension system while providing the versatility needed for different anatomical configurations.
Data Source
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Figure 5~6B
AI summary
The invention concerns an implantable prosthesis (1) for the treatment of incontinence, comprising a retaining means (2) having a support element (3) designed to be placed under the urethra (U) and to prevent any uncontrolled intraurethral flow, said prosthesis being characterized in that it comprises an atraumatic suspension means (4) provided with at least one bearing element (5) arranged so as to overlap part of the pubic bone (OP) and to rest on the latter, and at least one sling (6, 7) connecting said bearing element (5) to the retaining means (2), said sling (6, 7) being designed to hold the support element (3) at a substantially constant distance from the public bone (OP), called the retaining distance (do), a means (20) for reversibly adjusting the retaining distance (do), thus making it possible to reversibly vary said retaining distance (do). The prosthesis is used to treat incontinence.