Tidal Pump Volume Amplification for Inflatable Penile Prosthesis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inflatable penile prosthetics require multiple squeezes to achieve adequate inflation, which can be cumbersome and uncomfortable, especially for users with limited dexterity or strength, and the traditional scrotum-implanted pump can be difficult to operate.
Innovation Solution
The tidal pump mechanism, located between the inflatable penile implant and the reservoir, uses a piston and check valves to amplify the liquid volume with each squeeze, allowing a net gain of liquid to be delivered back into the implant, reducing the number of squeezes needed for inflation and potentially eliminating the need for a scrotum-implanted pump.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional scrotum-implanted pump is used, then the pump can transfer liquid from the reservoir to the implant, but multiple squeezes are required which is cumbersome and uncomfortable for users with limited dexterity or strength
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is divided into two separate pumping chambers (first chamber and second chamber) that operate in sequence. The first chamber receives liquid from the implant during squeezing, while the second chamber draws liquid from the reservoir. This segmentation allows the pump to accumulate liquid from both chambers and deliver it back to the implant in a single cycle, reducing the number of squeezes needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump maintains continuous liquid transfer by having both chambers operate simultaneously during each squeeze cycle. While the first chamber is being filled from the implant, the second chamber is drawing liquid from the reservoir. This continuous action ensures that both chambers are ready to deliver liquid back to the implant in the next phase, maximizing the efficiency of each squeeze.
2Productivity
If a tidal pump with volume amplification is used, then a net gain of liquid is delivered to the implant with each squeeze, but the pump structure becomes more complex with piston and check valve mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The pump uses the user's own squeezing action on the implant to power the entire volume amplification process. The squeeze pressure naturally drives liquid from the implant into the first chamber, which then displaces the piston to create suction in the second chamber. The system self-regulates using the user's input force, eliminating the need for additional power sources or complex control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston acts as an intermediary mechanism that translates the user's squeezing force into dual-chamber liquid transfer. When liquid enters the first chamber during squeezing, it displaces the piston, which simultaneously creates suction in the second chamber to draw liquid from the reservoir. This intermediary piston mechanism efficiently couples the two chambers and enables volume amplification without requiring complex electronic controls.
3Device complexity
If the pump is located between the implant and reservoir, then the scrotum-implanted pump can be eliminated, but the implantation footprint and surgical procedure become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is positioned to utilize the existing fluid communication pathways between the implant and reservoir. By locating the pump in the space between these two components and using their existing tubing connections, the design merges the pump function into the existing system architecture. This eliminates the need for a separate scrotal pump while maintaining efficient liquid transfer through the combined first and second chambers.
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 tidal pump achieves a volume gain of liquid with each squeeze, allowing for more natural and comfortable inflation of the penile implant, reducing the number of squeezes required and providing a smaller, more comfortable implantation footprint, while also simplifying surgical implantation by eliminating the need for a three-piece system.
Implementation Method 1
Displacement of the piston creates a vacuum space (a second chamber or a suction chamber) between the piston and the housing of the tidal pump, and a second liquid volume is drawn out of the reservoir, through the upper check valve, and into the suction chamber.
Implementation Method 2
A return spring pushes the piston back to its starting position, which pushes both the first liquid volume and the second liquid volume out of the tidal pump and into the penile cylinders.
Data Source
AI summary
A pump is connected between penile cylinder(s) and a reservoir of a prosthesis. A squeezing pressure applied to the penile cylinder moves a first liquid volume out of the cylinder and into a first chamber of the pump, which displaces a piston inside of the pump. Displacement of the piston creates a vacuum space (a second chamber) between the piston and the housing of the pump, and a second liquid volume is drawn out of the reservoir and into the vacuum space. A return spring pushes the piston back to its starting position, which pushes both the first liquid volume and the second liquid volume out of the pump and into the penile cylinders.