Implantable Urology Pump Pressure Feedback for Failure Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implantable fluid-operated devices with electronically-operated pumps and valves face challenges in consistent performance due to modes of failure and degradation, affecting patient comfort and efficacy.
Innovation Solution
An implantable fluid-operated device with a battery, fluid reservoir, piezoelectric pump, pressure sensors, and driver circuitry that adjusts electrical energy waveforms to the pump based on pressure measurements to maintain consistent fluid flow and pressure control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electronically-operated pumps and valves are used to control fluid flow, then accuracy and consistency of fluid control is improved, but device complexity and potential failure modes increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using pressure sensors to monitor fluid pressure in the reservoir and inflatable member, then using this information to adjust pump operation. The controller receives pressure signals and modifies pump activation timing and duration to maintain target pressure levels, creating a closed-loop control system that compensates for component degradation and maintains consistent fluid control performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by proactively adjusting pump operation based on predicted pressure changes. The controller monitors pressure trends and anticipates when pressure deviations may occur, adjusting pump activation before significant deviations happen. This prevents failure modes from developing into complete system failures, maintaining reliability while managing complexity
2Reliability
If pressure monitoring is implemented to detect performance degradation, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback by continuously monitoring pressure at multiple points (reservoir and inflatable member) and using this information to detect changes in pump and valve performance. The controller compares actual pressure measurements against expected values and identifies degradation trends, enabling early detection of reliability issues before they cause complete failure
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-diagnosis by using its own operational data (pressure measurements from its pumps and valves) to assess its own health status. The controller analyzes pressure trends and activation patterns to determine whether components are degrading, eliminating the need for separate external monitoring systems and reducing overall complexity
3Device complexity
If manual operation of the pumping device is used, then device complexity is reduced, but consistency of inflation and deflation performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using pressure sensors to monitor the actual inflation and deflation process in real-time. The controller receives pressure signals during pump operation and adjusts activation timing and duration dynamically to maintain target pressure levels, ensuring consistent performance regardless of manual operation variations or component degradation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the pump operation adaptive rather than static. The controller continuously adjusts pump activation parameters based on real-time pressure feedback, allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions such as component degradation, tissue compliance changes, or manufacturing variations, thereby maintaining consistent performance
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
Enhances the accuracy and reliability of fluid control, improving patient comfort and safety by detecting and mitigating performance degradation in the device.
Implementation Method 1
a first piezoelectric pump fluidically connected between the fluid reservoir and the inflatable member and configured to pump fluid from the fluid reservoir to the inflatable member
Implementation Method 2
a first pressure sensor configured to measure a fluid pressure in a fluidic circuit that includes the fluid reservoir, the piezoelectric pump, and the inflatable member
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable fluid-operated device includes a battery, a fluid reservoir, an inflatable member, a first piezoelectric pump fluidically connected between the fluid reservoir and the inflatable member, and a pressure sensor. Operating the device includes providing a first waveform of electrical energy from the battery to the piezoelectric pump at a first time to drive the piezoelectric pump to pump fluid from the fluid reservoir to the inflatable member, measuring, with the first pressure sensor, a fluid pressure in a fluidic circuit that includes the fluid reservoir, the piezoelectric pump, and the inflatable member; and, based on a fluid pressure measured by the first pressure sensor, providing a second waveform of electrical energy from the battery to the piezoelectric pump at a second time, the second waveform being different from the first waveform.