3D Expandable Vaginal Support Structure for Prolapse Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-surgical treatments for pelvic organ prolapse, such as pessaries, often fail to provide adequate support and comfort due to their design limitations, leading to discomfort and potential tissue damage.
Innovation Solution
A three-dimensional, adjustable vaginal device with flexible arcs and telescoping tubes that can expand to provide support and accommodate varying vaginal sizes and shapes, featuring a locking mechanism for stability and a removal string for easy extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional pessaries are used, then they provide basic prolapse support, but they cause discomfort and tissue damage due to inadequate design
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs flexible arcs instead of rigid traditional pessary structures. These arcs can bend and conform to the vaginal anatomy, providing support while distributing pressure evenly to prevent tissue damage. The flexibility allows the device to adapt to individual anatomical variations without causing discomfort or harm.
Solution Approach 2:
The device features arcs with varying degrees of flexibility and structural properties at different locations. Each arc can be customized or designed with specific characteristics to provide targeted support where needed while maintaining comfort in other areas. This localized optimization addresses both support effectiveness and comfort requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed-size pessaries are used, then they provide simple structure, but they fail to accommodate varying vaginal sizes and shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates arcs that can dynamically adjust their configuration between collapsed and expanded states. This dynamic capability allows a single device to adapt to different vaginal sizes and shapes without requiring multiple fixed-size options. The arcs bend and reshape themselves to match the individual anatomy, providing versatility without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pessary is divided into multiple independent arcs rather than a single rigid structure. This segmentation allows each arc to independently conform to the vaginal walls and provides flexibility in accommodating various anatomical configurations. The modular arc design enables adaptability while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple.
3Adaptability or versatility
If expandable device is used, then it provides customizable support, but it requires complex expansion and locking mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The arcs are designed to dynamically transition between collapsed and expanded configurations through mechanical action. The expansion mechanism utilizes the inherent elasticity and flexibility of the arc materials, allowing them to spring into their support position when activated. This dynamic approach provides customizable support while minimizing the complexity of the expansion and locking mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A device sized and shaped for alleviating pelvic organ prolapse when inserted into a vagina, including a treatment rendering portion configured to be adjustable between a first, collapsed state and a second, expanded state, where the second expanded state extends substantially in three dimensions.