Inflatable penile prosthesis with a structured cylinder

Abstract

According to an aspect, an implant includes an inflatable member and a pump assembly configured to facilitate a transfer of a fluid from the reservoir to the inflatable member. The inflatable member has a sidewall that defines a lumen. The sidewall has an outer surface and an inner surface disposed opposite the outer surface. The inner surface has a series of undulations.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An implant, comprising:
 an inflatable member; and   a pump assembly configured to facilitate a transfer of a fluid from the reservoir to the inflatable member,   the inflatable member having a sidewall that defines a lumen, the sidewall having an outer surface and an inner surface disposed opposite the outer surface, the inner surface having a series of undulations.   
     
     
         2 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable member defines a longitudinal axis, the series of undulations extend along the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         3 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein lumen defined by the sidewall of the inflatable member includes a first portion having a first diameter and second portion having a second diameter, the second diameter being larger than the first diameter. 
     
     
         4 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the lumen defined by the sidewall of the inflatable member includes a first portion having a first diameter, a second portion having a second diameter, and a third portion having a third diameter, the second portion being disposed between the first portion and the third portion, the second diameter begin larger than the first diameter, the second diameter being larger than the third diameter. 
     
     
         5 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the lumen defined by the sidewall of the inflatable member includes a first portion having a first diameter, a second portion having a second diameter, and a third portion having a third diameter, the second portion being disposed between the first portion and the third portion, the second diameter begin larger than the first diameter, the second diameter being larger than the third diameter, the second portion being disposed between the first portion and the third portion along a longitudinal axis of the inflatable member. 
     
     
         6 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the outer surface of the inflatable member is substantially smooth. 
     
     
         7 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the outer surface of the inflatable member includes a series of undulations. 
     
     
         8 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable member is unitarily formed. 
     
     
         9 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable member is monolithic. 
     
     
         10 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable member is configured to be placed in an inflated configuration and a deflated configuration. 
     
     
         11 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable member is configured to be placed in an inflated configuration and a deflated configuration, the inflatable member having a tubular shape when in the deflated configuration. 
     
     
         12 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable member is configured to be placed in an inflated configuration and a deflated configuration, the inflatable member configured to extend along a longitudinal axis of the inflatable member when placed in the inflated configuration. 
     
     
         13 . The implant of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first cap coupled to a first end portion of the inflatable member; and   a second cap coupled to a second end portion of the inflatable member.   
     
     
         14 . The implant of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a reservoir configured to retain the fluid,   wherein the pump is configured to help facilitate a transfer of the fluid from the reservoir to the inflatable member when the implant is in an inflation mode.   
     
     
         15 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the pump assembly includes a valve body and a pump bulb member. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a core member, the core member having a longitudinal axis and an outer surface, the outer surface having a series of undulations, the core member being formed of a material that is configured to dissolve.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the core member defines a lumen, the lumen extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the core member. 
     
     
         18 . A method of making an elongate member, comprising:
 forming a core member;   disposing the core member within a lumen of a casing; and   removing the core member from the casing.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the core member has a longitudinal axis and an outer surface, the outer surface has a series of undulations, the core member is formed of a material that is configured to dissolve. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the removing the core member from the casing includes dissolving the core member.