Urethral Flow Control via Intermittent Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for controlling fluid flow in bodily organs, such as artificial sphincters, often lead to tissue damage and fibrosis due to constrictive elements that can erode and cause poor blood circulation, making them impractical and costly for long-term use.
Innovation Solution
A method involving gentle constriction of tissue walls combined with intermittent stimulation to control fluid flow, allowing for normal blood circulation and preventing tissue damage, using a combination of constriction and stimulation devices that can be calibrated and controlled externally.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If constrictive elements are used to control fluid flow in bodily organs, then flow control is achieved, but tissue damage and fibrosis occur due to erosion and poor blood circulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical constrictive elements with a stimulation-based system that uses electrical or other forms of energy to induce muscle contraction. This substitution eliminates direct mechanical contact and pressure that cause tissue damage, while still achieving effective flow control through physiological mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the approach from mechanical constriction parameters (pressure, force) to stimulation parameters (electrical signal frequency, intensity, duration). By controlling the parameters of stimulation rather than applying mechanical force, the system achieves flow control without causing tissue damage or fibrosis.
2Reliability
If constrictive elements are implanted to replace malfunctioning sphincters, then flow control is restored, but the elements can erode into tissue and penetrate wall portions over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical constrictive elements that can erode and penetrate tissue by using a stimulation-based system. The system uses electrical or other forms of energy to trigger muscle contraction, removing the source of mechanical erosion while maintaining sphincter function restoration capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary system (stimulation device with electrodes) that mediates between the control signal and the muscle tissue. This intermediary approach allows flow control without direct mechanical contact, preventing the constriction elements from eroding into or penetrating the tissue wall.
3Reliability
If continuous constriction is applied to control flow, then flow control is maintained, but blood circulation in the constricted tissue wall portion is hampered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic or intermittent stimulation rather than continuous constriction. By applying stimulation in cycles with rest periods, the system maintains flow control capability while allowing blood circulation to recover during non-stimulation phases, preventing chronic ischemia and tissue damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from static continuous constriction to dynamic intermittent stimulation. The system can adjust the timing, duration, and intensity of stimulation cycles to balance flow control requirements with blood circulation needs, creating a dynamic solution that adapts to physiological conditions.
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 effectively manages fluid flow without causing tissue damage, maintaining normal blood circulation and reducing the risk of fibrosis, thus providing a more practical and durable solution for controlling bodily organ functions.
Implementation Method 1
gently constricting at least one portion of the tissue wall to influence the flow in the lumen
Implementation Method 2
stimulating the constricted wall portion to cause contraction of the wall portion to further influence the flow in the lumen
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to method for implanting a medical device for controlling a flow of fluid in a lumen formed by a tissue wall of a patient's urethra. The method is performed by: cutting the skin of the patient, inserting a dissecting tool and dissecting an area of at least one portion of the tissue wall of the urethra, placing an adjustable constriction device in the dissected area in operative engagement with the urethra, placing an operation device configured to operate the adjustable constriction device to control the flow of urine in the urethra in the patient's body, placing a sensor configured to sense a temperature of the medical device in the patient's body, and placing a control unit in the patient's body configured to control the operation device based on information from the sensor.