Technical Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pressure sensitive pump for an inflatable penile prosthesis, in particular for an inflatable penile prosthesis with single-press relax.

Background of the Invention

Inflatable, inflatable penile prostheses (IPPs) generally include one or more cylinders to be inflated using a fluid, a reservoir for containing said fluid to be reversibly transferred for reversible inflation of said one or more cylinders, a pump for performing said fluid transfer into the cylinders, and a device for arranging the deflation of the cylinders.

Most of the IPPs require a prolonged or repetitive exertion of a force onto the device for arranging the deflation, over the skin. This causes discomfort to a user of such an IPP. For avoiding said repetitions at deflating the cylinders, single-press relax (SPR) type IPPs are developed, which enable commencement of a deflation mode by a single push onto a button on the device for arranging the deflation. US 8,632,456 (B2) (family member of US 8,932,204 (B2)) as well as US 7,637,861 (B2) (family member of US2006135845(A1)) disclose such IPP. To achieve single-press relax, the device should include numerous finely detailed parts, which fit into each other via snap-fit-like connections requiring relative flexions on movable parts. The complexity of the structure renders the IPP mechanically delicate. To avoid the occurrence of mechanical failures, the relatively moving parts should be manufactured from expensive materials. Otherwise, frequent medical operations (i.e. revision surgery) may be required to replace and renew an IPP. Additionally, it is considered advantageous to develop a simple IPP which provides a stable deflation of cylinders, and which is reliable in its inflation mode. Furthermore, the IPP disclosed in US 8,632,456 (B2) includes a deflate valve which, at transitions between an inflation mode and a deflation mode, passes through a restriction ring in the pump body. The commencement of the deflation mode is only available after applying a comparatively high (therefore discomfortable) threshold force applied through the user's skin; and when the threshold (ring) is passed, a mechanical shock is felt and a corresponding, annoying, unnatural "click" noise (also known as "bypass valve noise") occurs. Efforts for minimizing the discomfort related to the noise and its audibility is made (see US 8,109,870 (B2)); but a complete elimination of said noise and a smooth transition into a single-press relax still remains as a technical desire.

Pressure values required for the step of passing through a ring at commencing a deflation, still correspond to relatively high amounts of mechanical forces (e.g. due to the extent of mechanical restriction on the deflate valve and due to temporary flow blockage around the deflate valve), which affect the service life of delicate parts (such as the deflate valve) of the IPP, along with the decreased user comfort at triggering such transitions.

Hence, even though single-push deflation itself decreases user discomfort to an extent, the user comfort at transitions between inflation and deflation modes is still to be improved.

Objects of the Invention

Primary object of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned shortcomings in the present state of the art. A further object of the present invention is to provide a simple IPP with single-press relax for deflation of cylinder(s). An even further object of the present invention is to provide a reliable IPP with single-press relax for a more stable deflation of cylinder(s). Another object of the present invention is to provide an IPP in which the occurrence of mechanical shock and the bypass valve noise at starting of a deflation is eliminated. Brief Description of the Invention

The present invention proposes an inflatable penile prosthesis including a reservoir, one or more cylinders, and a device for fluid flow management between said reservoir and cylinders, said device comprising a chamber having a first opening in fluid communication with the reservoir, and a second opening in fluid communication with the cylinders; the device further comprising a member movable relative to the chamber between a first position and a second position; said member including a stopper having a shape and size adapted to block the first opening in the first position, and to allow fluid communication between the first opening and the second opening in the second position. Brief Explanation of the Figures

Fig.l shows an inflatable penile prosthesis according to the present invention, including a couple of cylinders, wherein the cylinders are in an inflated state.

Fig.2 shows (a) a frontal view, (b) a side view, (c) a plan view, of an exemplary device of an inflatable penile prosthesis according to the present invention, said device being provided with a pump.

Fig.3 shows the A-A section view of the device shown in the Fig.2(c), wherein the vicinity of an exemplary chamber is emphasized as detail "D".

Fig.4(a) shows the detail "D" from the Fig.3 in which the member is in its second position, and the fluid pressure is locally decreased to push the member to its first position for commencing an inflation mode. It is visually exemplified how the first opening and second opening can be in fluid communication with each other.

Fig. (b) shows the detail "D" from the Fig.3 in which the member is in its first position wherein the first opening is blocked by the stopper, and thereby the fluid communication between the first opening and the second opening is interrupted. Fluid communication between the reservoir and cylinder(s) can be selectively established by operating a pump. A first check valve and a second check valve of an exemplary pump are depicted in the present drawings. The pump can be a hand pump as in the exemplary embodiment in the drawings. Flere, the vicinity of the member is at least momentarily not further pressurized. For instance, the hand pump is in a passive mode, e.g. not squeezed as a hand pump.

Fig.4(c) shows the detail "D" from the Fig.3 in which the member is still in its first position, yet about to be brought into its second position for commencement a deflation mode; e.g. by the stopper being pushed away from the first opening to remove the blockage of the fluid communication between the first opening and the second opening.

Fig.4(d) shows the detail "D" from the Fig.3 in which the member is moved into its second position, e.g. by the stopper being pushed away from the first opening, thereby the blockage of the fluid communication between the first opening and the second opening is removed.

Fig. (e) shows the detail "D" from the Fig.3 in which the member is moved into its second position, and a fluid communication between the cylinder(s) and the reservoir is established over the first opening and the second opening. Accordingly, a single-press relax is achieved, and an uninterrupted deflation of the cylinder(s) in the deflation mode is availed.

Fig.5(a) and Fig.5(b) respectively show the detail "D" from the Fig.3 in an inflation mode and in a deflation mode; in which any of the moving parts are removed from the device, for a clear visualization of flow paths and exemplary wetted lines in the exemplary embodiment according to the present invention.

Fig.6(a) shows a section view of an exemplary member (30) provided with one or more snagging protrusions (35) to cooperate with the hurdling means (11) shown in the Fig.9; wherein the member (30) is provided with a protrusion (311) for being used e.g. with a button (45) which does not include a protrusion (311) as exemplified in the Fig.7(a).

Fig.6(b) shows a section view of another exemplary member (30) provided with one or more snagging protrusions (35), and wherein the member (30) is not provided with such protrusion, for being used e.g. with a button (45) which includes a protrusion (311) as exemplified in the Fig.7(b).

Fig.6(c) shows a top view of another exemplary member (30) which is provided with a protrusion (311), and which is not provided with any snagging protrusion (35)..

Fig.6(d) shows a side view of a further exemplary member (30) which includes neither any snagging protrusion (35) nor protrusion (311). Fig.7(a) shows an exemplary buton (45), and Fig.7(b) shows another exemplary buton (45) comprising a protrusion (311).

Fig.8(a) shows the A-A section view of another possible embodiment of the device shown in the Fig.2(c), in the second position of the member. The vicinity of an exemplary chamber is emphasized as detail "E".

Fig.8(b) shows the detail "E" from the Fig.8(a) in which the member is in its first position. The fluid pressure is locally decreased to push the member to its first position for commencing an inflation mode, and the circumferential lip at the first opening is subjected to fluid pressure to hold the stopper in a fluid tight manner. It is visually exemplified how the first opening and second opening can be brought into fluid communication with each other.

Fig.8(c) shows the detail "F" from the Fig.8(b), for beter visualizing the exertion of fluid pressure onto the lip. The fluid pressure which can have a radial force component is symbolized using bold black arrows.

Fig.9 shows a detailed section view of an exemplary device (10) without hurdling means (11), for comparison with the embodiment shown in the Fig.5(b).

Fig.10(a) is a perspective section view of the device according to the present invention.

Fig.10(b) is a close-up view of the detail (C) from the Fig.10(a), showing an exemplary check valve according to the present invention and its housing, for emphasizing the fluid communication situation around the bumper; wherein the check valve is in a closed state. Flere, the working principle of the check valve is discussed over the second check valve, but the same principle is applicable to the first check valve, mutatis mutandis.

Fig.11(a) is the section view from a first aspect to a vicinity of the check valve according to the present invention, corresponding to the vicinity shown in the Fig.10(b). Flere, the check valve is in an open state, at which a "housing outlet opposing side" of the main body of the check valve is partially in contact with the bumper, such that fluid flow from the housing and the housing outlet (thus from the housing inlet to the housing outlet) is kept available around non-bumper-contacting portions of the "housing outlet opposing side". Exemplary flow paths representing the fluid communication is shown with dashed arrows.

Fig.11(b) is the section view from said first aspect to the vicinity of the check valve shown in the Fig.11(a). Flere, the check valve is in a closed state, at which a "housing inlet opposing side" of the main body seals the housing inlet. Flere, the housing inlet opposing side is exemplified as being conical, which provides a radial force component on sealing contact surfaces thus an extended sealing efficiency is achieved. Interruption of the fluid communication is shown with crossed dashed curves.

Fig.12(a) is a side view of the device according to the present invention, and Fig.12(b) is the C-C section of the Fig.12(a), for obtaining a second aspect different from the above mentioned first aspect. Fig.12(c) is the detail (D) from the Fig.12(b). The detail shows the second aspect to the vicinity shown in the Fig.10(b). Flere, the check valve is in the open state. Exemplary flow paths representing the fluid communication is shown with dashed arrows.

Fig.12(d) shows the vicinity of the check valve shown in the Fig.12(c) from the second aspect again. Flere, the check valve is in the closed state. Interruption of the fluid communication is shown with crossed dashed curves.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Referring to the figures outlined before, the present invention proposes an inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) (100) including a reservoir (50), one or more cylinder(s) (51), and a device (10) for fluid flow management between said reservoir (50) and cylinders (51). The device (10) comprises a chamber (20) having: a first opening (21) in fluid communication with the reservoir (50), and a second opening (22) in fluid communication with the cylinder(s) (51). The device (10) further comprises a member (30) movable between a first position and a second position. The member includes a stopper (31) having a shape and size adapted to block the first opening (21) (i.e. block fluid communication through the first opening (21), e.g. by getting plugged into the first opening (21)) in the first position, and to allow fluid communication between the first opening (21) and the second opening (22) in the second position. An exemplary shape and size adaptation of the stopper (31) can be suggested as follows:

- the stopper (31) and the first opening (21) can have substantially identical cross-sections perpendicular to a trajectorial direction (an exemplary trajectorial direction being depicted with a two-sided bold white arrow in the Fig.3) throughout a length of a trajectory (i.e. a movement range) of the stopper (31) between the first position and the second position,

- as a result, the stopper (31) can at least partly enter into the first opening (21) when taking the first position, without necessitating an exertion of any further (e.g. radial) force to flex any mechanical hurdle (such as radially pushing and thus widening a ring which has a narrower width or diameter than a cross-section of the stopper (31) perpendicular to the trajectorial direction); and the stopper (31) can be brought into its second position without necessitating an exertion of such further force. The minimization of required extents of forces for moving the member (20) between the first position and the second position, provides an enhanced user comfort at (single-press) relax when deflating the cylinder(s) (51), and also provides a prolonged service life to the IPP even in the case where relatively low-cost materials are used in production thereof when compared with those required for obtaining the prior art IPPs in which the employment of such radial forces are inevitable.

The introduction of the stopper (31) into the first opening (21) does not necessitate any flexion relative to any other component at taking the first position, and the member (30) takes the first position still in a stable fashion.

Fig.l shows an exemplary embodiment of the inflatable penile prosthesis (100) according to the present invention, including a reservoir (50), a pump (40) connected to the device (10) and a couple of cylinders (51); wherein the cylinders (51) are in an inflated state. Fig.2 shows (a) a frontal view, (b) a side view, (c) a plan view, of an exemplary device (10) for an inflatable penile prosthesis (100) according to the present invention, said device (10) being already coupled with a pump (40). Here, the pump (40) is a hand pump having a pump bulb. Squeezing and releasing the pump bulb respectively correspond to bringing the pump (40) to its active (i.e. conduction or purge from the pump bulb into cylinder(s)) state and passive (receiving or draft from reservoir into the pump bulb) state.

The member (30) can be provided with one or more snagging protrusion(s) (35) around a reciprocation axis (A) on which the member (30) reciprocates between the first position and second position, and the device (10) can further comprise one or more hurdling means (11) arranged to be pushed away from the reciprocation axis (A) and to be passed by the snagging protrusion(s) (35) at reciprocations between the first position and the second position. Examples of such member (30) is shown in Fig.3, Fig.4(a) to Fig.4(e), Fig.6(a), Fig.6(b), Fig.8(a) to Fig.8(c). The snagging protrusion(s) (35) can be discontinuous around the reciprocation axis (A).

The hurdling means (11) and snagging protrusion(s) (35) are preferably arranged such that a mechanical contact therebetween at the instances in which the snagging protrusion(s) (35) pass the hurdling means (11) occurs outside a flow path between a pump (40) and the cylinder(s) (51). Such flow path can be considered corresponding to a flow path between the second opening (22) and a check valve (e.g. a second check valve 42) for one-way fluid conduction/ or transmission from the pump (40). Thus, contraction of such flow path is avoided even at the instances of such mechanical contact. This reduces the extent of pressure exerted by a user onto the pump (40) through his skin, for starting an inflation mode. Thus, the user comfort is enhanced.

More preferably, the hurdling means (11) is arranged outside the flow path between the pump (40) and the cylinder(s) (51). This embodiment provides an even wider flow path within the same context. As a result, the user comfort is even more enhanced, throughout an inflation of the cylinder(s) (51). Examples of a device (10) with hurdling means (11) are shown in Fig.3, Fig.4(a) to Fig. (e), Fig.5(a), Fig.5(b), Fig.8(a) to Fig.8(c). In these drawings, it is shown that the hurdling means (11) can be arranged to be discontinuous around the reciprocation axis (A) (i.e. not in the form of a continuous ring around the reciprocation axis A).

The first opening (21) can be provided with a circumferential lip (23) made of a flexible material, extending into the chamber (20). Said lip (23) can have a size and shape adapted to surround the stopper (31) when the member (30) is in the first position. Said surrounding can be considered as a fluid-tight engagement between the stopper (31) and the lip (23). Thus the lip (23) can be arranged/adapted to radially conduct a pressure force of a fluid inside the chamber (20) onto the stopper (31) when the member (30) is in the first position. For instance, the lip (23) can have an extent of mechanical flexibility (by arranging its material) or wall thickness (by arranging its shape and size) to allow mechanically respond to such fluid pressure by being abut onto the stopper (31). With this feature, the stopper (31) can be firmly held in the first opening (21) by the lip (23), and the member (30) is maintained in the first position throughout an inflation and an inflated state of the cylinder(s) (51), with an enhanced stability.

In a variation of this embodiment, the member (30) is provided with a circumferential collar (32) extending towards a periphery of the first opening (21), having a size and shape adapted to surround the lip (23) when the member (30) is in the first position. In this variation of the IPP (100), the stopper (31) is held by the lip (23) with an even enhanced stability, since the circumferential forces exerted by the lip (23) onto the stopper (31) is backed up by the collar (32) in radial directions. The Fig.3 to Fig.4(e) depict detailed views of an example of the device (10) to be employed in an IPP (100) according to this embodiment.

The first opening (21) can be described or considered as a conduit having an inlet

(211) (i.e. at a second opening (22) side of the first opening (21)), and an outlet

(212) distal to said inlet (211) (i.e. at a reservoir-side of the first opening (21)). The inlet (211) can have a shape and size to receive the stopper (31) in the first position in a fluid-tight manner. Thus, the blocking of the first opening (21) by the stopper (31) in the first position can be arranged by the stopper (31) being received into the inlet (211) in a fluid-tight manner. Since the fluid-tight receipt of the stopper (31) inherently interrupts any fluid communication between the cylinder(s) (51) and the reservoir (50), an inflated state of the cylinder(s) (51) can be easily maintained when the member (30) is in the first position. In the case where the member (30) is in the second position or brought into the second position, a fluid from the cylinder(s) (51) flowing through the chamber (20) can be received by the inlet (211) and released from the outlet (212), thus conducted towards the reservoir (50). As a result, a deflation of the cylinder(s) (51) can be achieved once the member (30) is brought to its second position.

Fig.4(c) is an exemplary depiction of a preparation to commence a deflation mode. Here, the member (30) is ready to be moved from the first position to the second position by being pushed using a button (45). The button (45) is reversibly moved towards the first opening (21) (e.g. towards an outlet (212) thereof), to get into a mechanical contact with the stopper (31), said contact being preferably arranged over a protrusion (311) on the stopper (31) and/or on the button (45).

The protrusion (311) can have a smaller cross-sectional area perpendicular to the trajectorial direction, when compared to the cross-sectional area of the first opening (21) perpendicular to the trajectorial direction. This enables fluid coming from the second opening (22) to flow through the first opening (21), once the stopper (31) partly exits from the first opening (21), at moving the member (30) to its second position; and a deflation of cylinder(s) (51) starts to occur. Fluid starting to flow through the first opening (21) prevents the member (30) from being returned into the first opening (21), thereby a further facilitated single-press relax is achieved.

Said protrusion (311) can have a greater length in the trajectorial direction, when compared to a distance between the inlet (211) and the outlet (212) parallel to said trajectorial direction. This facilitates the fluid to commence to enter the first opening (21) and thus a deflation of the cylinder(s) (51) to occur, once the member (30) is started to a transition from the first position to the second position.

As a possible alternative, or furthermore, the button (45) can include a protrusion (311) in the form of an extension to enter into the outlet (211) for pushing the stopper (31) away from the first opening (21) to bring the member (30) to its second position. Fig.7(a) shows an exemplary button (45) comprising an exemplary protrusion (311), and Fig.7(b) shows another exemplary button (45).

Fig.6(a) shows a section view of an exemplary member (30) provided with one or more snagging protrusions (35) to cooperate with the hurdling means (11) shown in the Fig.9; wherein the member (30) is provided with a protrusion (311) for being used e.g. with a button (45) which does not include a protrusion (311) as exemplified in the Fig.7(a). The snagging protrusions (35) and the protrusion (311) are features which are technically independent from each other.

Fig.6(b) shows a section view of another exemplary member (30) provided with one or more snagging protrusions (35), and wherein the member (30) is not provided with such protrusion, for being used e.g. with a button (45) which includes a protrusion (311) as exemplified in the Fig.7(b). As mentioned above, the snagging protrusions (35) and the protrusion (311) are features which are technically independent from each other.

Fig.6(c) shows a top view of another exemplary member (30) which is provided with a protrusion (311), and which is not provided with any snagging protrusion (35).

Fig.6(d) shows a side view of a further exemplary member (30) which includes neither any snagging protrusion (35) nor protrusion (311).

The button (45) can include a slit (46) along the trajectorial direction for allowing fluid passage at moving the member (30) from the first position to the second position. This facilitates the establishment of a fluid communication between the first opening (21) and the second opening (22). Exemplary possible embodiments of such button (45) are depicted in Fig.7(a) (without protrusion 311) and Fig.7(b) (with protrusion 311).

It is also possible to employ an even extended protrusion (311) (when compared to the protrusions described above) in one of the button (45) or member (30) in the case where a respective member (30) or button (45) as a counterpart/conjugate thereof does not include any protrusion (311). As a further possible embodiment, both of the button (45) and member (30) can be provided with respective protrusions (311).

The device (10) can be provided (i.e. coupled) with a pump (40) for directing the fluid from the reservoir (50) to the cylinder(s) (51), through the chamber (20). The pump (40) can include a first check valve (41) in fluid communication with the reservoir (50), for one-way fluid conduction/ or draught from the reservoir (50) (into the pump (40)). Such one-way fluid conduction/ or draught from the reservoir (50) can be achieved e.g. by decreasing fluid pressure inside the pump (e.g. inside a pump bulb) which results in a decreased value of a fluid pressure between the reservoir (50) and the first check valve (41).

The first check valve (41) can be further in fluid communication with the outlet (212). In the case where the member (30) is in the first position, the fluid can flow over the outlet (212) without flowing towards the inlet (211), since the first opening (21) is blocked by the stopper (31). The member (30) can include a pushing surface (33) which can be disposed distal to the first opening (21), such that increasing the fluid pressure exerted onto the pushing surface (33) results in that the member (30) is moved towards the first opening (21) and thus brought into the first position.

The pump (40) can include a second check valve (42) for one-way fluid conduction/ or transmission from the pump (40) (to the chamber (30)). The second check valve (42) can be in fluid communication with the member (30), e.g. at the pushing surface (33) of the member (30). The second check valve (42) can be in fluid communication with the pushing surface (33).

As mentioned above, the device (10) can further comprise a button (45) for bringing the member (30) from the first position to the second position. The button (45) can be disposed outside the chamber (20) and opposite to the outlet (212). The button (45) can have a shape and size to be (e.g. reversibly) brought into mechanical contact with the stopper (31) when pushed towards the first opening (32). By reversibly conducting a mechanical force onto the member (30) over the button (45), the member (30) can be pushed away from the first opening (21) until the member (30) is brought into the second position.

In this embodiment, the device (10) is coupled with (i.e. connected to) a pump (40). The pump (40) can be of a hand-pump type, which can be activated e.g. by repeatedly squeezing and releasing a pump bulb manually:

- Alternations between interruption and establishment of a fluid communication between the pump (40) and the reservoir (50) or between the pump (40) and the cylinder(s) (51) can be selectively achieved e.g. over a first check valve (41) and second check valve (42), respectively.

- By squeezing the pump bulb, a fluid communication is established between the cylinder(s) (51) and the pump (40) e.g. by opening a second check valve (42) therebetween. In such instance, any fluid communication between the reservoir (50) and the pump (40) is interrupted, e.g. by a first check valve (41) therebetween being closed. Thus, a fluid which is already in the pump can be pressurized into the device (10), such that the member (30) is pushed into and then maintained in its first position.

- By releasing the pump bulb, fluid communication is established between the reservoir (50) and the pump (40) e.g. by opening said first check valve (41). Any fluid communication between the reservoir (50) and the pump (40) is interrupted. Fluid can thus be drawn from the reservoir (50) into the pump (40) in accordance with a fluid pressure difference therebetween.

- Since fluid communication between the pump (40) and the cylinder(s) (51) is already selectively established in the first position, when the pump bulb is squeezed again, the fluid can be then further pressurized and sent into the cylinder(s) (51) to further an extent of inflation of the cylinder(s) (51).

Fig.3 shows the A-A section view of the exemplary device (10) shown in the Fig.2(c). Flere, the vicinity of an exemplary chamber (20) is emphasized as detail "D". Fig.4(a) shows the detail "D" from the Fig.3 in which the member is in its second position, and the fluid pressure is locally decreased to push (symbolized with bold black arrow) the member to its first position for commencing an inflation mode. This can be achieved by transferring a fluid (symbolized with bold white arrow), e.g. using a pump. It is visualized that the first opening (21) and the second opening (22) are in fluid communication in the second position.

Fig. (b) shows the detail "D" from the Fig.3 in which the member (30) is in its first position wherein the first opening (21) is blocked by the stopper (31), and thereby the fluid communication between the first opening (21) and the second opening (22) is interrupted, thus a fluid cannot flow from the cylinder(s) (51) to the reservoir (50) over the first opening (21). For inflating the cylinder(s) (51), an alternative fluid communication between the reservoir (50) and cylinder(s) (51) can be selectively established by operating a pump (40). A first check valve (41) in fluid communication with the reservoir (50), and a second check valve (42) in fluid communication with the cylinder(s) (51), are depicted in the present drawings, both of said check valves being in fluid communication with such exemplary pump (40). The pump (40) can be a hand pump (e.g. having a pump bulb), as in the exemplary embodiment shown in the Fig.l to Fig.3.

In Fig.4(b), the fluid communication between the chamber (20) and the pump (40) is automatically and reversibly interrupted by the second check valve (42) which is in a normal (closed) state thereof. Thus, any fluid inside the cylinder(s) cannot flow through the second opening (22), the chamber (20) and the pump (40) into the reservoir (50): any fluid inside the cylinder(s) remains trapped throughout the inflation mode. The vicinity of the member (30) which is in fluid communication with the second opening (22), is at least momentarily not (further) pressurized, for instance by keeping the pump (40) in a passive mode, e.g. in the case where the pump (40) is a hand pump, by not squeezing the pump bulb.

Fig.4(c) shows the detail "D" from the Fig.3 in which the member (30) is still in its first position, yet about to be brought from its first position to its second position for commencement a deflation mode; e.g. by pushing the stopper (31) out of the first opening (21), to remove the blockage of the fluid communication between the first opening (21) and the second opening (22). Fig.4(d) shows the detail "D" from the Fig.3 in which the member (30) is moved from its first position to its second position, e.g. by the stopper (31) being pushed out of the first opening (21), thereby a fluid communication between the first opening (21) and the second opening (22) is established.

Fig. (e) shows the detail "D" from the Fig.3 in which the member (30) is already moved into its second position, and a fluid communication between the cylinder(s) (51) and the reservoir (50) is established over the first opening (21) and the second opening (22). The button (45) is retracted into an original position thereof for allowing a facilitated fluid flow from the first opening (21) towards the reservoir (50). Such retraction can be achieved by the button (45) being attached to a resilient means (47) integrated to the device (10) and thus allowing the above indicated reversible movement of the button (45). Accordingly, an even facilitated single-press relax of the device (10) is achieved and an uninterrupted deflation of the cylinder(s) (51) in the deflation mode is availed.

Such resilient means (47) can be in the form of a button holder which includes a bio compatible resilient material, such as silicone. In the Fig.4(d), the resilient behavior of the resilient means (47) is symbolized using a bold white arrow in the direction where the button (45) is reversibly moved towards the member (30) to push that into its second position.

Fig.5(a) and Fig.5(b) show the detail "D" from the Fig.3 in which any of the moving parts (including the member (30), the button (45), any check valve (41, 42) shown in the Fig.3 to Fig.4(e)) are removed from the device (10), for a clear visualization of exemplary wetted lines in an exemplary embodiment of the device (10) in an IPP (100) according to the present invention. Several fluid flow path starting points, waypoints and destinations (including a reservoir (50), one or more cylinder(s) (51), and a possible pump (40)) not shown in the present drawing and in the Fig.3 from which the detail "D" is taken, are represented with reference numerals in parentheses. The Fig.5(a) shows representative fluid flow directions in an inflation mode, in which the member (30, not shown here) is in the first position. The Fig.5(b) shows representative fluid flow directions in a deflation mode, in which the member (30, not shown here) is in the second position. In the inflation mode depicted in the Fig.5(a), fluid is drawn from the reservoir (50) towards one or more cylinder(s) (51). The fluid drawn from the reservoir (50) possibly using a pump (40), is directed (i.e. pressurized) to the chamber (20), and passes through the second opening (22). In the deflation mode depicted in the Fig.5(b), fluid released from the one or more cylinder(s) (51) passes respectively through the second opening (22), the chamber (20) and the first opening (21), and finally reaches to the reservoir (50).

Fig.8(a) shows the A-A section view of a possible embodiment of the device (10) shown in the Fig.2(c), in the second position of the member (30). The vicinity of an exemplary chamber (20) is emphasized as detail "E". Fig.8(b) shows the detail "E" from the Fig.8(a) in which the member (30) is in its first position. In the state visualized in Fig.8(b), a fluid pressure which is visualized using a black, bold arrow, is (or has been) locally decreased around a pushing surface (33) of the member (30), to push the member (30) to its first position for commencing an inflation mode. The lip (23) at the first opening (21) (here: at the inlet (211)) is subjected to fluid pressure to hold the stopper (31) in a fluid tight manner. It is visually exemplified how the first opening and second opening are in fluid communication with each other. The flu id -tightness between the first opening (21) and the stopper (31) in the first position is thus enhanced by the lip (23) without necessitating any collar (32). A collar (32) can be employed to retain the lip (23) for further enhancing the stability, e.g. by enabling an effective functioning of the lip (23) in terms of fluid tightness, even in the case where a minimal amount of a starting material is used in forming the lip (23).

Fig.8(c) shows the detail "F" from the Fig.8(b), for better visualizing the exertion of fluid pressure onto the lip. The fluid pressure which can have a radial force component is symbolized using a couple of bold black arrows. The fluid pressure in the chamber (20) being increased by the pump is symbolized using a bold white arrow.

In the case of absence of hurdling means (11) and/or snagging protrusion(s), the device (10) in the IPP (100) according to the present invention, enables a smooth and stable single-press relax by the member (30) moving without requiring any flexion relative to any other part (e.g. without applying radial forces to flex the first opening (21)). In the case where the device (10) includes hurdling means (11) and snagging protrusions (35) as described in this description, the device (10) according to the present invention eliminates the necessitation of an unduly high radial push onto a circumferential ring around the member (30), and without interrupting the fluid pressure from the pump (40) onto the pushing surface (33) at transitions of the member (30). As a result, the transitions of the member (30) between the first position and the second position are very smooth and easy. This advantage enables that the single-press relax for deflation of cylinder(s) in the IPP (100) is achieved over a simple device (10) with minimized extent of details. The user comfort is highly enhanced, because the single-press relax is available with a minimized pressure onto the skin of the user.

The contact between the optional lip (23) and optional collar (32) results in a substantial removal of fluid at zones thereof contacting each other, and provides an even better stabilized maintenance of the first position by obtaining a relatively decreased fluid pressure between the optional lip (23) and the optional collar (32); resulting in an even enhanced stability and reliability of an inflated state. Thus, in addition to the above mentioned simplicity, the IPP (100) according to the present invention is easy to use, does not cause any discomfort in use (does not necessitate high extent of force to be applied onto the skin for starting a deflation of the cylinder(s)), and provides a highly stable and reliable inflation and deflation of the cylinder(s) in the IPP (100).

Considering that the stopper (31) includes a cross-section perpendicular to the trajectorial direction throughout a length of a trajectory of the stopper (31) between the first position and the second position (thus the stopper opposes the first opening (21)), said cross-section of the stopper (31) can have a diameter (Dl) suitable for blocking of the first opening (21) whilst taking the first position (e.g. by substantially corresponding a diameter of the first opening (21)). Thus a fluid-tight contact/engagement between the stopper (31) and the first opening (21) is constituted: - in an embodiment according to the present invention, the member (30) further includes a lateral surface (34) arranged to be received by a further opening (25) which constitutes a fluid passage (a part of a flow path) distal to the first opening (21) with regard to the trajectorial direction. Said further opening (25) can have a flexible lip (251) for circumferentially engaging with the lateral surface (34) when the member (30) is in the second position, preferably in a fluid tight manner. The lateral surface (34) can have a cross-section having a width or diameter (D2) (see Fig.6(a) to Fig.6(d)) perpendicular to the trajectorial direction, and the flexible lip (251) can have a cross-section profile along the trajectorial direction, said profile being arranged to contract at increasing distances from the first opening (21); such that a width or diameter (W) (see

Fig.5(b)) of the further opening (25) has a value lower than the width or diameter (D2) of the lateral surface (34). This enables that the movement range of the member (30) away from the first opening (21) is delimited without even necessitating any further mechanical measure at bringing the member (30) to the second position. This further enables that the lateral surface (34) gets at least partially wedged by the flexible lip (251) when brought into the second position, thereby enhancing the stability of the single-press relax at the deflation mode. Pressurizing a fluid at a pushing surface (33) available at a central portion of the lateral surface (34) is sufficient to release the lateral surface (34) from being wedged by the flexible lip (251) and to further bring the member (30) into the first position.

A projection (e.g. which is parallel to the trajectorial direction), of a distance (LI) (see Fig.5(b)) between the further opening (25) and the first opening (21) (e.g. the lip (23) at the first opening (21)), can correspond to (e.g. by being not greater than) a projection (parallel to the trajectorial direction) of a distance (L2) on the member (30) including the lateral surface (34) and the stopper (31) (excluding any protrusion (311)). This enables that a continuously fluid tight engagement between the member (30) and either the first opening (21) or the further opening (25) is available, at alternations between the first position and the second position: - when the member (30) is directed to its first position, the stopper (31) gets caught by the lip (23) in a fluid-tight manner, as soon as the lateral surface (34) is released from the further opening (25), and

- when the member (30) is directed to its second position, the lateral surface (34) gets caught by the further opening (25) in a fluid-tight manner, as soon as the stopper (31) is released from the lip (23).

As a result, the reliability of the IPP (100) is enhanced by the trajectory of the member (30) being limited within either of the fluid tight first and second positions.

Even more preferably, the projection (e.g. which is parallel to the trajectorial direction), of said distance (LI) (see Fig.5(b)) between the further opening (25) and the lip (23) at the first opening (21) is, by up to 20% shorter than the projection (parallel to the trajectorial direction) of said distance (L2) on the member (30) including the lateral surface (34) and the stopper (31) (excluding any protrusion (311)). This enables that a continuously fluid tight engagement between the member (30) and both of the first opening (21) and the further opening (25) is available, at alternations between the first position and the second position:

- when the member (30) reaches to a first end of its trajectory at the first position, the lateral surface (34) is released from the further opening (25),

- when the member (30) reaches to a second end of its trajectory at the second position, the stopper (31) is released from the lip (23), and

- at intermediate positions of the member (30) between the first position and the second position, both of the stopper (31) and the lateral surface (34) are engaged with the lip (23) and the further opening (25) respectively, in a fluid tight manner.

As a result, an enhanced precision in the transition between the first position and second position is achieved, thereby even further enhancing the reliability of the IPP. The member (30) can be provided with a groove (not shown) which can be parallel to the trajectorial direction; and the chamber (20) can include a guide tongue (not shown) to slidably engage with the groove, to delimit the motion range of the member (30) in the trajectorial direction.

A check valve preferred to be used in an IPP, e.g. in an IPP according to the present invention, is hereby exemplified as the first check valve (41) and the second check valve (42). Ball-type check valves used in the prior art IPPs have the problem of that the ball tends to leave its housing and to clog a respective flow path. The check valve (41, 42) hereby developed for use in IPPs, has two ends (411, 412) along a flow direction on a flow path, at opposite sides of a main body (413): an elongate first end (411) and an elongate second end (412) distal to said first end (411) with respect to the main body (413). The main body (413) has a greater cross sectional area perpendicular to the flow direction, when compared to a cross sectional area of the first end (411) perpendicular to the flow direction. The check valve (41, 42) is restrained inside a respective housing (43) adapted to allow the main body (413) reciprocate between an open position and a closed position. The housing (43) includes a housing inlet (431) and a housing outlet (432) for partly constituting said flow path; the first end (411) and second end (412) are radially restrained inside the housing inlet (431) and the housing outlet (432), respectively. Both of said housing inlet (431) and housing outlet (432) are narrower than the housing (43) in terms of cross-sectional area perpendicular to the flow direction along said flow path, thus the main body (413) cannot leave the housing (43) to clog the flow path, e.g. by escaping into the housing outlet (432). By a resilient means (e.g. a bias spring (48), the check valve (41, 42) can be biased towards the housing inlet (431) to (normally) maintain the closed position, wherein fluid flow from the housing inlet (431) is reversibly blocked. As long as the fluid pressure at the housing inlet (431) is increased to an extent where the resilient means is flexed or pressed and thus the main body (413) is pushed away from the housing inlet (431), a temporary fluid communication between the housing inlet (431) and housing outlet (432) through the housing (43) is achieved, thus the fluid is conducted from the housing inlet (431) to the housing outlet (432). For exemplification, the check valve is depicted as a first check valve (41) and a second check valve (42) in the Fig.4(a) to Fig.4(e), Fig.8(a) and Fig.8(b); and a housing (43) to be employed along with such check valve is depicted in the Fig.5(a) and Fig.5(b).

Fig.9 shows an exemplary section view of a device (10) without hurdling means (11). The Fig.3 to Fig.5(b), and Fig.8(a) to Fig.8(c) depict detailed views of an example of the device (10) to be employed in an IPP (100) according to this embodiment. Fig.6(a) and Fig.6(b) show section views of members (30) each provided with a snagging protrusion (35), suitable for being employed in such device (10). The snagging protrusions (35) can be arranged to circumferentially extend around the reciprocation axis (A), for maintain their function even in the case where the member (30) partly rotates around the reciprocation axis (A).

It is preferred that the hurdling means (11) is not circumferentially surrounding the reciprocation axis (A), but is in the form of separate protrusions extending towards the member (30), thereby allowing/enhancing fluid communication between the pump (40) and a pushing surface (33) of the member, for facilitating a fluid pressure-induced direction of the member (30) from the second position to the first position. Flence, in this preferred embodiment, there is no fluid-tight engagement between the snagging protrusion(s) (35) and the hurdling means, even at instance where the hurdling means (11) is pushed away by the snagging protrusion(s) (35).

In other words, the hurdling means (11) and the snagging protrusion(s) (35) can be arranged to allow fluid flow along the reciprocation axis (A) even in instances where the hurdling means (11) is pushed away from the reciprocation axis (A) at transitions from the second position to the first position. This minimizes a resistance against said transitions due to fluid pressure at a side of the member (30) distal to the stopper (31). Said arrangement can be performed by ensuring that the hurdling means (11) and/or the snagging protrusion(s) (35) are discontinuous around the reciprocation axis (A).

The hurdling means (11) can be positioned at a radial projection of the reciprocation axis (A), which remains outside a zone between respective perpendicular projections of the housing inlet (431) and housing outlet (432) on the reciprocation axis (A). This even further minimizes any turbulence or flow resistance between the first opening (21), second opening (22), housing inlet (431) and housing outlet (432). Since the member (30) is guided substantially using hydraulic forces, the IPP according to the present invention does not necessitate a spring force for biasing the member (30) to any of the first position or second position.

The check valve (41, and/or 42) and/or the corresponding housing (43) can be provided with a bumping arrangement which allows fluid communication between the housing (43) and the housing outlet (432) even when the main body (413) of the check valve is biased towards the housing outlet (432). This concept is explained below over an exemplary embodiment, and some irrelevant details such as bias spring (48) are extracted from respective drawings for providing a facilitated visualisation:

Fig.10(a) is a perspective section view of the device according to the present invention. Fig.10(b) is a close-up view of the detail (C) from the Fig.10(a), showing an exemplary check valve (41, and/or 42) according to the present invention and a respective housing (43). This drawing shows an exemplary bumping arrangement (discontinuous mechanical contact between the main body and the housing outlet, thus avoidance of sealing in an open state): e.g. by a bumper (49) which is in the form of a discontinuous protrusion (here: around the second end 412) opposing a "housing outlet opposing side" (422) of the main body (413). Thanks to such discontinuity, fluid communication is maintained even when the main body (413) is biased towards the housing outlet (432). For clearly seeing the vicinity around the exemplary bumper (49) (which also might be formed on the "housing outlet opposing side" of the main body (413)) the check valve is illustrated in its closed state. Flere, the working principle of the check valve is discussed over the second check valve (42), but the same principle is applicable to the first check valve (41), by performing obvious changes accordingly.

Fig.11(a) is the section view from a first aspect to a vicinity of the check valve ((41) and/or (42), exemplified over second check valve (42)) according to the present invention, corresponding to the vicinity shown in the Fig.10(b). Flere, the check valve is in an open state, at which a "housing outlet opposing side" of the main body of the check valve is partially in contact with the bumper (49), such that fluid flow from the housing (43) and the housing outlet (432) (thus from the housing inlet (431) to the housing outlet (432)) is kept available (around portions of the "housing outlet opposing side", which do not oppose the bumper (49) (i.e. non-bumper-contacting portions)). Exemplary flow paths representing the fluid communication is shown with dashed arrows.

Fig.11(b) is the section view from said first aspect to the vicinity of the check valve shown in the Fig.11(a). Flere, the check valve is in a closed state, at which a "housing inlet opposing side" (421) of the main body (413) seals the housing inlet (431). Flere, the "housing inlet opposing side" (421) is exemplified as being conically extending towards the housing inlet (431), thus provides radial force components on sealing contact surfaces, thereby achieving an extended sealing efficiency. That the fluid communication is interrupted, is emphasized with crossed dashed curves.

Fig.12(a) is a side view of the device (10) according to the present invention, and Fig.12(b) is the C-C section from the Fig.12(a), for obtaining a second aspect different from the above mentioned first aspect. Fig.12(c) is the detail (D) from the Fig.12(b). Said detail (D) shows the second aspect to the vicinity shown in the Fig.10(b). Flere, the check valve is in its open state. Exemplary flow paths representing the fluid communication is shown with dashed arrows. Fig.12(d) shows the vicinity of the check valve shown in the Fig.12(c) from the second aspect again. Flere, the check valve is in the closed state. Interruption of the fluid communication is shown with crossed dashed curves.

The above described check valve concept according to the present invention provides a very easily producible and lean check valve arrangement. The check valve according to the present invention has a reduced extent of details, yet functions flawlessly. Considering that each further detail would add up to the production costs and complexity by also reducing the service life, the check valve according to the present invention has an extended service life with minimized costs.

Considering the above disclosures, at least the following objects are achieved by the present invention:

- the before mentioned shortcomings in the present state of the art are eliminated;

- a simple IPP with single-press relax for deflation of cylinder(s), is provided; the simplicity renders the IPP more robust when compared with those with more delicate parts, thereby the service life of the IPP is extended and occurrence or necessity of any revision surgery is minimized;

- a reliable IPP with single-press relax for a more stable deflation of cylinder(s) is provided; - the occurrence of mechanical shock and bypass valve noise at starting a deflation mode is eliminated, and thus a smooth single-press relax is achieved.

List of reference signs used in the text and drawings:

10 device 413 main body 11 hurdling means 42 second check valve

20 chamber 421 housing inlet opposing side

21 first opening 422 housing outlet opposing side

211 inlet 43 housing

212 outlet 431 housing inlet 22 second opening 432 housing outlet

23 lip 45 button

24 side wall 46 slit

25 further opening 47 resilient means

251 flexible lip 48 bias spring 30 member 49 bumper

31 stopper 50 reservoir

311 protrusion 51 cylinder(s)

32 collar 100 IPP

33 pushing surface A reciprocation axis 34 lateral surface D1 stopper diameter

35 snagging protrusion D2 lateral surface diameter

40 pump LI distance on the chamber

41 first check valve L2 distance on the member

411 first end W width of the further opening 412 second end