Patent Publication Number: US-2022226119-A1

Title: Inflatable penile prosthesis with reinforced cylinder

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of, and claims priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/507,913, filed on Jul. 10, 2019, entitled “INFLATABLE PENILE PROSTHESIS WITH REINFORCED CYLINDER”, which claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 62/700,643, filed on Jul. 19, 2018, entitled “INFLATABLE PENILE PROSTHESIS WITH REINFORCED CYLINDER”, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates generally to bodily implants and more specifically to bodily implants, such as penile prostheses that include inflatable members. 
     BACKGROUND 
     One treatment for male erectile dysfunction is the implantation of a penile prosthesis that mechanically erects the penis. Some existing penile prostheses include inflatable cylinders or members that can be inflated or deflated using a pump mechanism. In some existing devices, the inflatable cylinder or member requires a relatively large amount of force to inflate. Additionally, in some existing devices, the pump mechanism may require many sequential squeezes or activations to inflate the cylinder or member. 
     Accordingly, it would be useful to provide a bodily implant, such as a penile prosthesis that includes an improved cylinder or member that can be more easily inflated. 
     SUMMARY 
     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 defines a lumen and includes a structural member. The inflatable member includes a coating. 
     In some embodiments, at least a portion of the structural member is disposed within the lumen defined by the inflatable member. 
     In some embodiments, the coating is a molded coating. In some embodiments, the coating surrounds the lumen defined by the inflatable member. In some embodiments, the coating completely surrounds the lumen defined by the inflatable member. 
     In some embodiments, the structural member is flexible. In some embodiments, the structural member is a suture, a fiber, a filament or a membrane. 
     In some embodiments, the structural member is a first structural member, the inflatable member including a second structural member disposed within the lumen. In some embodiments, the structural member is a first structural member, the inflatable member including a second structural member disposed within the lumen, the first structural member being disposed substantially parallel to the second structural member. 
     In some embodiments, the inflatable member extends along a longitudinal axis, the structural member is a first structural member, the inflatable member including a second structural member disposed within the lumen, the first structural member is longitudinally spaced from the second structural member. In some embodiments, the structural member is a first structural member, the inflatable member including a second structural member and a third structural member, the second structural member being disposed within the lumen, the third structural member being disposed within the lumen. 
     In some embodiments, the device includes a reservoir configured to hold fluid, wherein the pump is configured to help facilitate a transfer of the fluid from the inflatable member to the reservoir when the implant is in a deflation mode. 
     In some embodiments, the pump assembly includes a valve housing and a pump bulb member. 
     In some embodiments, the coating includes a first molded portion and a second molded portion, the lumen defined by the elongate member is disposed between the first molded portion and the second molded portion. In some embodiments, the coating includes a first molded portion, a second molded portion, and a third molded portion. 
     In another implementation, a bodily implant includes an inflatable member, the inflatable member defining a lumen and including a structural member, at least a portion of the structural member being disposed within the lumen defined by the inflatable member, the inflatable member including a coating. 
     In some embodiments, the coating is a molded coating. In some embodiments, the coating includes a first molded portion and a second molded portion. 
     In yet another implementation, a method of making a bodily implant includes providing a member that includes a sidewall that defines a lumen; passing a structural member through the member at a first location of the member; and applying a coating to the member. In some embodiments, the method includes passing the structural member through the member at a second location of the member, the second location of the member being different than the first location of the member. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  schematically illustrates a penile prosthesis according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a penile prosthesis implanted within a patient according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the penile prosthesis of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an inflatable member of the penile prosthesis of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the inflatable member of  FIG. 4  taken along line A-A of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of an inflatable member of another embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the inflatable member of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of the inflatable member of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 9  is an end view of the inflatable member of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 10  is a top view of an inflatable member of another embodiment. 
         FIG. 11  is an end view of the inflatable member of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  is a flow chart of a method of making an inflatable member of a penile prosthesis according to an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Detailed embodiments are disclosed herein. However, it is understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the embodiments in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting, but to provide an understandable description of the present disclosure. 
     The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having”, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open transition). The term “coupled” or “moveably coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly and mechanically. 
     In general, the embodiments are directed to medical devices such as penile prostheses or other bodily implants. The term patient or user may hereafter be used for a person who benefits from the medical device or the methods disclosed in the present disclosure. For example, the patient can be a person whose body is implanted with the medical device or the method disclosed for operating the medical device by the present disclosure. For example, in some embodiments, the patient may be a human male, a human female, or any other mammal. 
     The embodiments discussed herein may improve the performance of an inflatable member of the device. For example, the inflatable member may have improved stiffness or rigidity, improved reliability, or improved deflation or inflation times. In some embodiments, the inflatable member may be facilitated by requiring less force or pressure to inflate the inflatable member. 
     The embodiments may include an inflatable penile prosthesis having a pump assembly, an inflatable member, and a reservoir. The inflatable member may be implanted into the corpus cavernosae of a patient or user, the reservoir may be implanted in the user&#39;s abdomen, and the pump assembly may be implanted in the scrotum. The pump assembly may switch between an inflation position and a deflation position such that a user can operate the device to place the inflatable penile prosthesis in either an inflation mode to transfer fluid from the reservoir to the inflatable member or a deflation mode to transfer the fluid from the inflatable member back to the reservoir. 
       FIG. 1  schematically illustrates an inflatable penile prosthesis  100  according to an aspect. The inflatable penile prosthesis  100  may include a reservoir  102 , a cylinder or inflatable member  104 , and a pump assembly  101  configured to transfer fluid between the reservoir  102  and the inflatable member  104 . In some examples, the inflatable member  104  may be implanted into the corpus cavernosae of the user, the reservoir  102  may be implanted in the abdomen or pelvic cavity of the user (e.g., the reservoir  102  may be implanted in the lower portion of the user&#39;s abdominal cavity or the upper portion of the user&#39;s pelvic cavity), and the pump assembly  101  may be implanted in the scrotum of the user. 
     The inflatable member  104  may be capable of expanding upon the injection of fluid into a cavity of the inflatable member  104 . For instance, upon injection of the fluid into the inflatable member  104 , the inflatable member  104  may increase its length and/or width, as well as increase its rigidity. In some examples, the inflatable member  104  may include a pair of cylinders or at least two cylinders, e.g., a first cylinder member and a second cylinder member. The volumetric capacity of the inflatable member  104  may depend on the size of the cylinders. In some examples, the volume of fluid in each cylinder may vary from about 10 milliliters in smaller cylinders and to about 50 milliliters in larger sizes. In some examples, the first cylinder member may be larger than the second cylinder member. In other examples, the first cylinder member may have the same size as the second cylinder member. 
     In some embodiments, the inflatable member  104  includes a structural member  108 . In some embodiments, the structural member  108  provides support to the inflatable member  104 . For example, the structural member  108  may provide support to the inflatable member  104  when the inflatable member is placed in its inflated configuration. In some embodiments, the structural member  108  may facilitate the inflation of the inflatable member  104 . For example, the structural member  108  may allow the inflatable member to be inflated at a relatively low pressure. In some embodiments, this may allow the user to inflate the inflatable member  104  with less pumps or activations of the pump or may allow the user to apply less force to the pump to inflate the inflatable member  104 . Details of the pump assembly  101  are described below. 
     In some embodiments, the structural member  108  is at least partially disposed within the cavity or lumen of the inflatable member  104 . For example, in some embodiments, the structural member  108  may extend from one portion of the inflatable member  104  to another portion of the inflatable member  104 . 
     In some embodiments, the inflatable member  104  includes more than one structural member  108 . For example, the inflatable member  104  may include two, three, four, or many structural members. In some embodiments, the structural members  108  are disposed apart from each other and extend along a length or longitudinal axis of the inflatable member  104 . In some embodiments, one of the structural members is disposed offset or at an angle with respect to another of the structural members. In other embodiments, one of the structural members is disposed parallel to or substantially parallel to another of the structural members. 
     In some embodiments, the structural member  108  is flexible. In some embodiments, the structural member  108  is formed of a suture or other filament. In other embodiments, the structural member  108  is formed of another material. In some embodiments, the structural member  108  is formed of an elastic material. In other embodiments, the structural member  108  is formed of a non-elastic material. 
     In some embodiments, the inflatable member  104  includes a coating  170 . In some embodiments, the coating  170  forms an outer surface or outer layer of the inflatable member  104 . In some embodiments, the coating  170  extends around an entire outer surface of the inflatable member  104 . In other embodiments, the coating  170  extends around or forms only a portion of the outer surface. 
     In some embodiments, the coating  170  is formed of an overmolded or extruded polymer. In other embodiments, the coating  170  is formed of another material, such as another biocompatible material. 
     The reservoir  102  may include a container having an internal chamber configured to hold or house fluid that is used to inflate the inflatable member  104 . The volumetric capacity of the reservoir  102  may vary depending on the size of the inflatable penile prosthesis  100 . In some examples, the volumetric capacity of the reservoir  102  may be 3 to 150 cubic centimeters. In some examples, the reservoir  102  is constructed from the same material as the inflatable member  104 . In other examples, the reservoir  102  is constructed from a different material than the inflatable member  104 . 
     The inflatable penile prosthesis  100  may include a first conduit connector  103  and a second conduit connector  105 . Each of the first conduit connector  103  and the second conduit connector  105  may define a lumen configured to transfer the fluid to and from the pump assembly  101 . The first conduit connector  103  may be coupled to the pump assembly  101  and the reservoir  102  such that fluid can be transferred between the pump assembly  101  and the reservoir  102  via the first conduit connector  103 . For example, the first conduit connector  103  may define a first lumen configured to transfer fluid between the pump assembly  101  and the reservoir  102 . The first conduit connector  103  may include a single or multiple tube members for transferring the fluid between the pump assembly  101  and the reservoir  102 . 
     The second conduit connector  105  may be coupled to the pump assembly  101  and the inflatable member  104  such that fluid can be transferred between the pump assembly  101  and the inflatable member  104  via the second conduit connector  105 . For example, the second conduit connector  105  may define a second lumen configured to transfer fluid between the pump assembly  101  and the inflatable member  104 . The second conduit connector  105  may include a single or multiple tube members for transferring the fluid between the pump assembly  101  and the inflatable member  104 . In some examples, the first conduit connector  103  and the second conduit connector  105  may include a silicone rubber material. 
     The pump assembly  101  may switch between an inflation mode in which the fluid in the reservoir  102  is transferred to the inflatable member  104  through the pump assembly  101  in a first direction (e.g., inflation direction) and a deflation mode in which the fluid in the inflatable member  104  is transferred back to the reservoir  102  through the pump assembly  101  in a second direction (e.g., deflation direction). 
     The pump assembly  101  includes a pump (also referred to as a pump bulb member)  106  and a valve body  107 . The valve body  107  also includes a selection member  109 . The selection member  109  may be used to select or change the mode in which the pump assembly is in. For example, the selection member  109  may be moved from a first position to a second position to place the device in its deflation mode. The selection member  109  may then be moved back to its first position to place the device in its inflation mode. In some embodiments, the selection member  109  is movable with respect to the valve body  107 . For example, in some embodiments, the selection member  109  is slidably coupled or slideable with respect to the valve body  107 . 
     The pump  106  may be squeezed or depressed by the user in order to facilitate the transfer of fluid from the reservoir  102  to the inflatable member  104 . For example, in the inflation mode, while the user is operating the pump  106 , the pump  106  may receive the fluid from the reservoir  102 , and then output the fluid to the inflatable member  104 . When the user switches to the deflation mode, at least some of the fluid can automatically be transferred back to the reservoir  102  (due to the difference in pressure from the inflatable member  104  to the reservoir  102 ). Then, the user may squeeze the inflatable member  104  to facilitate the further transfer of fluid through the pump  106  to the reservoir  102 . 
     In some examples, the pump  106  may include a flexible member defining a cavity. In some examples, the pump  106  may define a pump shell having a flexible bulb and a valve body connector, where the valve body connector is designed to fit at least partially over the valve body  107 . In some examples, the pump  106  may include a squeeze pump. In some examples, the pump  106  may include a portion that is round or substantially round. In some examples, the pump  106  may include ribbing or dimples to aid the user in gripping the pump  106 . The pump  106  may use suction and pressure to move the fluid in and out of the cavity of the pump  106  in the inflation mode. For example, the user may depress or squeeze the pump  106  to expel the fluid out of the cavity, and, when the flexible member returns to its original shape, the resulting suction pushes the fluid into the cavity of the pump  106 . In some examples, the pump  106  may have a bulb spring rate that is designed to refill the pump  106  in a selected time frame. 
     As discussed above, the selection member  109  may be used to select or change the mode in which the pump assembly is in. For example, in one embodiment, the selection member  109  may be placed in the inflate position and the user may then operate the pump  106  to inflate the inflatable member  104  (i.e., move the fluid from the reservoir  102  to the inflatable member  104 ). For example, the user may repeatedly depress or squeeze the pump  106  until the desired rigidity is achieved. 
     In some examples, if the reservoir  102  is at least partially pressurized, the fluid may automatically flow out of the reservoir  102  and into the inflatable member  104  without the user depressing or squeezing the pump  106  until the pressure is at least partially equalized between the reservoir  102  and the inflatable member  104 . 
     Then, when the user wants to deflate the inflatable member  104 , the user moves selection member  109  to its deflated position. The user may then operate the pump  106  to deflate the inflatable member  104  (i.e., move the fluid from the inflatable member  104  to the reservoir  102 ). The pump  106  may then return to its original form, which provides a suction force causing fluid to be drawn into the pump  106  from the inflation member  104 . The fluid from the inflation member  104  fills the pump  106  (or at least partially fills the pump  106 ). This pump cycle is repeated until the inflatable member  104  is deflated. 
     In some examples, the fluid may automatically (upon movement of the selection member  109  to its deflate position) flow out of the inflatable member  104  and into the reservoir  102  without the user depressing or squeezing the pump  106  until the pressure is at least partially equalized between the reservoir  102  and the inflatable member  104 . 
     In some examples, after the inflation member  104  has been deflated, the pump  106  may be squeezed to place the pump in a contracted position or configuration. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a penile prosthesis  200  implanted within a user according to an aspect.  FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the penile prosthesis  200 .  FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate portions of an inflatable member of the penile prosthesis. 
     The penile prosthesis  200  may include a pair of cylinders  204 , and the pair of cylinders or inflatable members  204  are implanted in a penis  214 . For example, one of the cylinders  204  may be disposed on one side of the penis  214 . The other cylinder  204  (not shown in  FIG. 2 ) of the pair of cylinders may be disposed on the other side of the penis  214 . The cylinder  204  may include a distal end portion  224 , a cavity or inflation chamber  222 , and a proximal end portion  228  having a rear tip  232 . 
     The penile prosthesis  200  may include a pump assembly  201 , which may be implanted into the patient&#39;s scrotum  218 . A pair of conduit connectors  205  may attach the pump assembly  201  to the pair of inflatable members or cylinders  204  such that the pump assembly  201  is in fluid communication with the pair of inflatable members or cylinders  204 . Also, the pump assembly  201  may be in fluid communication with a reservoir  202  via a conduit connector  203 . The reservoir  202  may be implanted into the user&#39;s abdomen  219 . The inflation chamber or portion  222  of the cylinder  204  may be disposed within the penis  214 . The distal end portion  224  of the cylinder  204  may be at least partially disposed within the crown portion  226  of the penis  214 . The proximal end portion  228  may be implanted into the patient&#39;s pubic region PR with the rear tip  232  proximate the pubic bone PB. 
     In order to implant the inflatable members or cylinders  204 , the surgeon first prepares the patient. The surgeon often makes an incision in the penoscrotal region, e.g., where the base of the penis  214  meets with the top of the scrotum  218 . From the penoscrotal incision, the surgeon may dilate the patient&#39;s corpus cavernosae  240  to prepare the patient to receive the pair of inflatable members or cylinders  204 . The corpus cavernosum is one of two parallel columns of erectile tissue forming the dorsal part of the body of the penis  214 , e.g., two slender columns that extend substantially the length of the penis  214 . The surgeon will also dilate two regions of the pubic area (proximal corpora cavernosae) to prepare the patient to receive the proximal end portion  228 . The surgeon may measure the length of the proximal and distal corpora cavernosae from the incision and the dilated region of the pubic area to determine an appropriate size of the inflatable members or cylinders  204  to implant. 
     After the patient is prepared, the penile prosthesis  200  is implanted into the patient. The distal tip of the distal end portion  224  of each cylinder  204  may be attached to a suture. The other end of the suture may be attached to a needle member (e.g., Keith needle). The needle member is inserted into the incision and into the dilated corpus cavernosum. The needle member is then forced through the crown of the penis  214 . The surgeon tugs on the suture to pull the cylinder  204  into the corpus cavernosum. This is done for each cylinder of the pair of cylinders  204 . Once the inflation chamber  222  is in place, the surgeon may remove the suture from the distal tip. The surgeon then inserts the proximal end portion  228 . The surgeon inserts the rear end of the cylinder  204  into the incision and forces the proximal end portion  228  toward the pubic bone PB until each cylinder  204  is in place. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, each of the inflatable members or cylinders  204  is structurally and functionally similar. Accordingly, only one of the inflatable members or cylinders will be discussed in detail. The inflatable member  204  may be capable of expanding upon the injection of fluid into a cavity of the inflatable member  204 . For instance, upon injection of the fluid into the inflatable member  204 , the inflatable member  204  may increase its length and/or width, as well as increase its rigidity. The volumetric capacity of the inflatable member  204  may depend on the size of the cylinders. In some examples, the volume of fluid in each cylinder may vary from about 10 milliliters in smaller cylinders and to about 50 milliliters in larger sizes. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the inflatable member  204  includes a sidewall  280  that defines a lumen or cavity  282 . The inflatable member  204  also includes a plurality of structural members  284 . In some embodiments, the structural members  284  provide support to the inflatable member  204 . For example, the structural members  284  may provide support to the inflatable member  204  when the inflatable member is placed in its inflated configuration. In some embodiments, the structural members  284  may facilitate the inflation of the inflatable member  204 . For example, the structural members  284  may allow the inflatable member  204  to be inflated at a relatively low pressure. In some embodiments, this may allow the user to inflate the inflatable member  204  with less pumps or activations of the pump or may allow the user to apply less force to the pump to inflate the inflatable member  204 . Details of the pump assembly  201  are described below. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the structural members  284  are at least partially disposed within the cavity or lumen  282  of the inflatable member  204 . For example, in some embodiments, the structural member  284  may extend from one portion of the inflatable member  204  to another, different portion of the inflatable member  204 . Specifically, for example, one structural member may extend from a first portion of the sidewall  280 A to a second, different portion of the sidewall  280 B. In some embodiments, the structural member has a first portion that is coupled to the first portion of the sidewall  280 A and a second portion that is coupled to the second portion of the sidewall  280 B. In some embodiments, the structural members may extend through a center of the lumen  282 . In other embodiments, the structural members extend adjacent to the center of the lumen  282 . 
     The inflatable member  204  may include any number of structural members  284 . In some embodiments, the structural members  284  may be different, separate members or pieces of material. In other embodiments, the structural members  284  may be a single unitary member that is passed through or coupled to the sidewall at various locations. 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the inflatable member  204  taken along line A-A of  FIG. 4 . In the illustrated embodiment, some of the structural members  284  are disposed or extend along axes that are parallel or substantially parallel to each other. For example, one structural member is disposed or extends parallel or substantially parallel to another structural member. In some embodiments, the structural members  284  are also disposed apart from each other along a length or longitudinal axis LA 1  of the inflatable member  204 . 
     In some embodiments, the structural member  284  is flexible. In the illustrated embodiment, the structural member  284  is formed of a suture or other filament. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the more than one of the structural members is formed of a single suture or filament. In other embodiments, the structural member is formed of another material. In some embodiments, the structural member is formed of an elastic material. In other embodiments, the structural member is formed of a non-elastic material. In some embodiments, the structural member  284  is a fiber, a filament or a membrane. The structural member  284  may be formed of any type of material. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the sidewall  280  is formed of a woven or fabric material. The structural member  284  is coupled to the sidewall at various locations by passing the structural member  284  though the fabric material. In some embodiments, the structural member  284  may be tied or otherwise coupled to the specific location or portion of the fabric material. In other embodiments, the sidewall is formed of another type of material. 
     In some embodiments, the inflatable member  204  is fluidically sealed. Accordingly, a fluid may be placed within the lumen  282  to inflate the inflatable member  204 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the inflatable member  204  includes a coating  270 . The coating  270  extends around or forms an outer surface of the inflatable member  204 . In the illustrated embodiment, the coating  270  extends around or forms the entire outer surface of the inflatable member  204 . In other embodiments, the coating  270  extends around or forms only a portion of the outer surface of the inflatable member  204 . 
     In some embodiments, the coating  270  is formed of an overmolded or extruded elastic polymer. In other embodiments, the coating  270  is formed of another biocompatible material. In the illustrated embodiment, the coating  270  helps fluidically seal the inflatable member  204 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the coating  270  includes four portions,  270 A,  270 B,  270 C, and  270 D. The portions of the coating  270  are arranged around the perimeter or outer surface of the inflatable member  204 . In the illustrated embodiment, portion  270 A is disposed opposite portion  270 C (such that the cavity or lumen  282  is disposed between the portion  270 A and the portion  270 C. Similarly, portion  270 B is disposed opposite portion  270 D (such that the cavity or lumen  282  is disposed between the portion  270 B and the portion  270 D. 
     The pump assembly  201  may switch between an inflation mode in which the fluid in the reservoir  202  is transferred to the inflatable member  204  (or inflatable members) through the pump assembly  201  in a first direction (e.g., inflation direction) and a deflation mode in which the fluid in the inflatable member  204  (or inflatable members) is transferred back to the reservoir  202  through the pump assembly  201  in a second direction (e.g., deflation direction). 
     In some embodiments, an end caps or tips  224  and  232  are coupled to each of the end portions of the sidewall. In some embodiments, the end caps help facilitate the fluidic sealing of the lumen  282 . The end caps may be coupled to the end portions of the sidewall via an adhesive or any other known coupling method. In some embodiments, the end caps may have different shapes. 
     The pump assembly  201  includes a pump bulb member or pump  231 , a valve body  233 , and a selection member  239 . The selection member may be used to select or change the mode in which the pump assembly  201  is in. For example, the selection member  239  may be moved from a first position to a second position to place the device in its deflation mode. The selection member  239  may then be moved back to its first position to place the device in its inflation mode. In some embodiments, the selection member  239  is movable with respect to the valve body  233 . For example, the selection member  239  may be slidably coupled or slideable with respect to the valve body  233 . In some embodiments, the selection member  239  includes stop members, such as shoulders or detents that engage members of the valve body  233  to lock or help retain the selection member  239  in one of its first and second positions. In other embodiments, the selection member  239  may be disposed or coupled to another portion of the device. 
     The pump  231  may be squeezed or depressed by the user in order to facilitate the transfer of fluid from the reservoir  202  to the inflatable member  204 . For example, in the inflation mode, while the user is operating the pump  231 , the pump  231  may receive the fluid from the reservoir  202 , and then output the fluid to the inflatable member  204 . When the user switches to the deflation mode, at least some of the fluid can automatically be transferred back to the reservoir  202  (due to the difference in pressure from the inflatable member  204  to the reservoir  202 ). Then, the user may squeeze the inflatable member  204  to facilitate the further transfer of fluid through the pump  231  to the reservoir  202 . 
     Then, when the user wants to deflate the inflatable members  204 , the user moves selection member  239  to its deflate position. The user may then operate the pump  231  to deflate the inflatable members  204  (i.e., move the fluid from the inflatable members  204  to the reservoir  202 ). For example, the user may repeatedly depress or squeeze the pump  231  until the deflation is completed. The pump  231  may then return to its original form, which provides a suction force causing fluid to be drawn into the pump  231  from the inflation members  204 . The fluid from the inflation members  204  fills the pump  231  (or at least partially fills the pump  231 ). This pump cycle is repeated until the inflatable members  204  are deflated. 
     In some examples, the fluid may automatically (upon movement of the selection member  239  to its deflate position) flow out of the inflatable member  204  and into the reservoir  202  without the user depressing or squeezing the pump  231  until the pressure is at least partially equalized between the reservoir  202  and the inflatable member  204 . 
     In some examples, after the inflation member  204  has been deflated, the pump  231  may be squeezed to place the pump in a contracted position or configuration. 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of an inflatable member  304  according to an embodiment.  FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the inflatable member  304 .  FIG. 8  is a top view of the inflatable member  304 .  FIG. 9  is an end view of the inflatable member  304 . In the illustrated embodiment, the inflatable member  304  includes a sidewall  380  that defines a lumen or cavity  382 . The sidewall  380  includes a first sidewall member or layer  380 A and a second sidewall member or layer  380 B. The inflatable member  304  also includes a plurality of structural members  384 . In some embodiments, the structural members  384  provide support to the inflatable member  304 . For example, the structural members  384  may provide support to the inflatable member  304  when the inflatable member is placed in its inflated configuration. In some embodiments, the structural members  384  may facilitate the inflation of the inflatable member  304 . For example, the structural members  384  may allow the inflatable member  304  to be inflated at a relatively low pressure. In some embodiments, this may allow the user to inflate the inflatable member  304  with less pumps or activations of the pump or may allow the user to apply less force to the pump to inflate the inflatable member  304 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the structural members  384  are at least partially disposed between the first sidewall member  380 A and the second sidewall member  380 B. The inflatable member  304  may include any number of structural members  384 . In some embodiments, the structural members  384  may be different, separate members or pieces of material. In other embodiments, the structural members  384  may be a single unitary member that is passed through or coupled to the sidewall at various locations. 
     In some embodiments, the structural member  384  is flexible. In the illustrated embodiment, the structural member  384  is formed of a suture or other filament. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the more than one of the structural members is formed of a single suture or filament. In other embodiments, the structural member is formed of another material. In some embodiments, the structural member is formed of an elastic material. In other embodiments, the structural member is formed of a non-elastic material. In some embodiments, the structural member  384  is a fiber, a filament or a membrane. The structural member  384  may be formed of any type of material. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the sidewall  380  (for example, each sidewall member  380 A and  380 B) is formed of a woven or fabric material. The structural member  384  is coupled to the sidewall at various locations by passing the structural member  384  though the fabric material. In some embodiments, the structural member  384  may be tied or otherwise coupled to the specific location or portion of the fabric material. In other embodiments, the sidewall is formed of another type of material. 
     In some embodiments, the inflatable member  304  is fluidically sealed. Accordingly, a fluid may be placed within the lumen  382  to inflate the inflatable member  304 . Specifically, in some embodiments, a fluid may be placed within the lumen  382  between the structural members to inflate the inflatable member  304 . 
     In some embodiments, the inflatable member  304  includes a coating. The coating may extend around or form an outer surface of the outer sidewall layer  380 A and may extend around or form an inner surface of the inner sidewall layer  380 B. 
     In some embodiments, the coating is formed of an elastic polymer. In other embodiments, the coating is formed of another biocompatible material. In some embodiments, the coating helps fluidically seal the inflatable member  304 . 
     As best illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the inflatable member  304  may be formed as a planar or sheet like member and then rolled to form the tubular shape. The ends of the planar or sheet like member may be coupled together, using for example, stitching, adhesive, or other coupling method. In some embodiments, one end of the planar or sheet like member is coupled directly to another end of the planar or sheet like member. In other embodiments, the end portions may be overlapped and then coupled together. 
       FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate an inflatable member  404  during a manufacturing process. In some embodiments, a rod or elongate member  460  is placed within the lumen defined by the sidewall  480 . The rod or elongate member  460  may be configured to dissolve. For example, the rod or elongate member  460  may be water dissolvable. The rod may be sized and configured to slightly stretch or keep the sidewall in an expanded or uncollapsed form. The structural members  484  may then be coupled to the sidewall. For example, a filament that forms the structural member  484  may be passed through the inflatable member  404  and the rod or elongate member  460 . Once the structural members  484  are in place the rod may be removed from the lumen. Specifically, in some embodiments, the rod may be dissolved (for example, by passing water through the lumen).  FIG. 11  is an end view of the inflatable member  404  after the rod or elongate member  460  has been dissolved. 
     In some embodiments, the use of the rod or elongate member  460  during the manufacturing process may facilitate the placement of the structural members  484 . For example, the rod or elongate member  460  may allow or facilitate the placement of uniform tension on the structural members  484 . Additionally, the use of the rod or elongate member  460  may help prevent the formation of creases when the structural members  460  are placed. 
       FIG. 12  is a flow chart for a method  500  of making or manufacturing an inflatable member according to an embodiment. At  510 , a sidewall defining or having a lumen is provided. At  520 , a structural member is passed through a portion of the sidewall at a first location. At  530 , the structural member is passed through the sidewall at a second, different location. At  540 , a coating is applied to the sidewall. In some embodiments, a rod or elongate member is placed or disposed within the lumen before the structural member is passed through a portion of the sidewall. 
     While certain features of the described implementations have been illustrated as described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes and equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the scope of the embodiments.