Syringe Pump Tissue Expansion with Pressure Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tissue expansion devices cause patient discomfort and tissue ischemia due to periodic large-volume inflation, and often result in capsular contracture and overly rapid expansion, as they rely on manual inflation protocols and gas as the inflation medium.
Innovation Solution
A system with a syringe pump and pressure sensor that delivers incremental volumes of an incompressible inflation medium, such as saline, to an implanted expandable bladder at controlled time intervals and pressure thresholds, ensuring slow and controlled tissue expansion while monitoring pressure to prevent over-stressing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If periodic large-volume inflation is used to expand tissue, then tissue expansion is achieved, but patient discomfort and tissue ischemia occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the total inflation volume into multiple smaller incremental volumes that are delivered sequentially over time. Instead of administering one large volume of inflation medium periodically, the system delivers smaller amounts (e.g., 1-5 mL increments) at frequent intervals (e.g., every 10-60 minutes), allowing tissue to adapt gradually and preventing ischemia and patient discomfort associated with rapid large-volume expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic action by automatically delivering incremental volumes of inflation medium at predetermined time intervals. The microprocessor-controlled pump system operates cyclically, delivering small amounts of medium, pausing to allow tissue adaptation, then repeating the cycle. This periodic delivery pattern replaces manual periodic inflation with an automated regimen that optimizes expansion while minimizing harmful effects.
2Ease of operation
If manual inflation protocols are used, then physician control over expansion is maintained, but overly rapid expansion and capsular contracture occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the microprocessor continuously monitors pump operation and tissue expansion parameters. The system adjusts subsequent inflation cycles based on responses to previous expansions, automatically optimizing the expansion protocol. This closed-loop control ensures reliable, consistent expansion rates while eliminating the variability and potential for error in manual protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically executing the expansion protocol without requiring continuous physician intervention. The microprocessor-controlled pump system autonomously delivers incremental volumes at predetermined intervals, monitors pressure changes, and adjusts delivery parameters as needed. This automation ensures consistent, reliable expansion while freeing the physician from manual operation tasks.
3Quantity of substance
If gas is used as the inflation medium, then the expandable bladder can be inflated, but optimal tissue expansion control is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from using gas (pneumatics) to using liquid saline solution (hydraulics) as the inflation medium. This change enables more precise control over expansion because liquids are incompressible, allowing the microprocessor-controlled pump to deliver exact incremental volumes without the variability introduced by gas compressibility. The hydraulic system provides smoother, more predictable tissue expansion and better pressure 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
This approach reduces patient discomfort, minimizes tissue ischemia, and promotes more optimal and controlled tissue expansion by allowing continuous and automatic delivery of the inflation medium, adapting to pressure parameters to prevent excessive pressure buildup.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor adapted to monitor pressure of the inflation medium being delivered by the syringe pump
Implementation Method 2
A syringe pump is configured to draw inflation medium from a source and to deliver said inflation medium to the expandable bladder
Data Source
AI summary
A tissue expansion system includes driver assembly having a syringe pump and a controller held in a common enclosure. The driver assembly is connected to both an inflatable bladder and an inflation medium source. Fluid is delivered from the driver assembly to the inflatable bladder through a pressure sensor. The pump is actuated to deliver predetermined incremental volumes of the inflation medium to the inflatable bladder at spaced apart time intervals. Pressure is monitored and the pumping is interrupted if the pressure exceeds a predetermined high threshold value. Pumping is recommenced when the pressure falls below a lower threshold value until the total incremental delivery volume has been reached.