Lost Sheep wrote:stephen54 wrote:So this really is a process, to continue to learn how this Titan works. I'm 8 weeks post-implant and remain confused as hell by the issue I am experiencing with the mechanics of how the Titan Touch deflates.
I've been experimenting with the buttons and what I found yesterday after cycling was that if I keep the deflate buttons firmly depressed, my penis deflates notably more completely than if I hit the buttons and then release the buttons and squeeze my penis. To achieve full deflation, I absolutely need to keep my buttons depressed then entire time I am simultaneously flattening the cylinders. I'm now certain of this. With press and release, I get a small movement of fluid out. Then, resistance is felt. Fluid remains in the cylinders. And I'm not remotely interested in forcing things. Coloplast's own instructions for this device state to "gently" squeeze the cylinders until empty. So what the hell is that? This is not how this device is designed, marketed, nor explained by either Coloplast nor my surgeon.
Continuous press? Press and release? Depth of the press?
I have an AMS and note that the written instructions are incorrect for that device's valve operation. It instructs that a 4-second press of the deflate button will allow full deflation even after the button is released. The PL (Patient Liaison) verbally amended that to 8 seconds. By first-hand experience, I have determined through extensive empirical experimentation the length of time the button is pressed is irrelevant. (This also makes sense to my mechanical engineering mind.)
Pressing the button gently (part-way) releases fluid from the tubes back into the reservoir and when released, the flow stops. (This is handy if one wants to partially deflate for any reason.) Pressing the button for 1 second or 20 seconds this it true. Pressing the button to its full travel results in a faint click or pop (of the valve "kicking over" to deflate mode). I can easily feel it (some claim they can hear it as well). After that "kickover", deflation can continue unimpeded without the button being depressed. Deflation from full or nearly full flows by itself. Deflation from less than about 50% requires squeezing the penis, but DOES NOT REQUIRE ANY MORE USE OF THE BUTTON.
Even so, a PL is obliged to communicate as best as possible and to get answers he/she cannot answer, even if that means contacting the design team. This is just the right thing to do.
Of course, not everyone in this world does the "right thing".
stephen54 wrote:Coloplast told me yesterday that they'd be happy to answer my questions. But the representative who answered the phone...no clarity at all on what her credentials are, what her expertise with the Titan is...this was the frontline person who picked up the phone. She's encouraging me to just ask my question. I told her that I have multiple questions but, ok, I'll play along. I lay out the above scenario to her in detail about deflation. She verifies that I have the Touch version. Then she says, yes that's how the Touch works, depress and release and easy deflate. I say, yes, I'm aware of its intended functionality. We are in agreement there, no need to keep stating what is "intended" functionality. I'm interested in what are the specific engineering idiosyncrasies or functionality which may be in play here, causing the situation I am describing? When I continue to press for information she says to me, "well the questions you're asking is really best directed to your surgeon".
My reply to her, and my obviously steadfast view of this is: you, Coloplast...you are the manufacturer of my implanted medical device and you have nobody...literally, no one…?...you can put on the phone with me...to hear me out on a handful of questions related directly to the intended vs actual functionality of your marketed device, and to provide what I would presume would be, by definition, the most highly informed view possible from the very same people who conceived, designed, built, filed for approvals, revised, marketed, tested, re-designed, re-tested, and sold my device?
It isn't just Coloplast. I think it depends a lot on the individual PL, too. I sent a question to my AMS PL asking what the dimensions are of the rear tips, the inflatable tubes and the distal tips for the 18cm LGX. A simple question that anyone with access to the design drawings or one of the devices could answer easily. No reply whatsoever. Not even a "We don't think you need to know and don't WANT you to know." dismissal.
That front-line lady you got clearly is a "gatekeeper" that insulates the company from questioners (whether by her personal inclination or corporate policy). Can your surgeon give you the name of the PL responsible for your region of the country (world). The one who he interfaces with? That PL might be more responsive.
The frontline person (gatekeeper) revealed her function in that regard when she said "well the questions you're asking is really best directed to your surgeon". The surgeon is quite often not well versed in the operation of the devices implanted (from artificial hearts to artificial joints). Surgeon is expert in flesh. Design engineers are expert in the devices. While it is understandable that Coloplast does not want their engineers fielding patient questions, the PL (as you point out) is INTENDED to field those questions. They are inevitable and manufacturers are duty-bound to respond. It is also in their self-interest to keep clients happy.
stephen54 wrote:Still would be grateful to hear the input and experiences of any other guys with the Touch who experienced this same deflate contradiction and what you've learned or resolved along the way.
I have been impressed with the Coloplast PL for my region (Alaska/Pacific Northwest), but never actually had specific questions for him. He does do outreach (obviously helps boost sales), but was quite personable and willing to spend time with me in spite of the fact that I already had my AMS device. Would that all Customer Service/Patient Liaison were so.
