Adjustable Flexible Ring Device for Pelvic Organ Prolapse Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current non-surgical treatments for feminine pelvic organ prolapse, such as pessaries, often lack adjustable and comfortable designs that can effectively support the vaginal walls and accommodate varying anatomical sizes and shapes, leading to potential discomfort and inefficacy in alleviating prolapse symptoms.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising an adjustably flexible, planar ring with snapping elements, a central rod, and a connection block that transitions between expanded and collapsed states, along with a padded elastic cover and removal string, allowing for customizable fit and easy insertion and removal, is designed to alleviate pelvic organ prolapse by providing support and comfort within the vagina.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional pessaries are used to treat pelvic organ prolapse, then the device can provide support to vaginal walls, but the device lacks adjustability and comfort for varying anatomical sizes and shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs a flexible ring structure that can dynamically adjust its shape and size to conform to different vaginal anatomies. The ring includes flexible portions that can bend and adapt to the patient's specific anatomical configuration, providing customized support without requiring multiple device sizes. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction by enabling a single device design to accommodate varying anatomical sizes and shapes while maintaining comfort and efficacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates adjustable parameters including the flexibility of the ring structure, the position and configuration of support elements, and the tension of connecting components. These parameters can be modified during insertion and adjustment to optimize the fit for each patient's unique anatomy. By enabling parameter changes, the device achieves adaptability to different anatomical variations while maintaining proper support function and patient comfort.
2Strength
If a rigid pessary structure is used to provide strong support, then the device can effectively counteract prolapse, but the device causes discomfort and difficulty in insertion and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the support function into multiple segments: a flexible ring structure for adaptation, separate support elements positioned at specific locations to provide targeted strength where needed, and a connection mechanism that allows controlled movement. This segmentation enables the device to maintain strong support in critical areas while having flexible portions that facilitate easy insertion and removal, resolving the contradiction between strength and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes a flexible ring shell as its primary structure, which can bend and deform during insertion and removal while maintaining its structural integrity and support function when in place. The flexible shell allows the device to be inserted in a compressed state and then expand to provide strong support, or be collapsed for easy removal. This flexible shell design resolves the contradiction by providing both ease of operation during insertion/removal and adequate support strength during use.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a customizable fit device is designed to accommodate various anatomical sizes, then the device can improve comfort and efficacy, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs universal components with inherent flexibility and adjustability that can accommodate a wide range of anatomical sizes and shapes without requiring multiple specialized parts. The flexible ring structure, adjustable support elements, and elastic connection mechanisms serve multiple functions simultaneously: adaptation to different anatomies, provision of support, and facilitation of insertion/removal. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity while maintaining high adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible ring shell serves as both the structural framework and the adaptive element, eliminating the need for complex adjustment mechanisms. The shell's inherent flexibility allows it to conform to different anatomies through simple elastic deformation rather than requiring multiple sizes or complex mechanical adjustments. This approach achieves customizable fit while keeping the device structure relatively simple and easy to manufacture.
Data Source
AI summary
A device sized and shaped for alleviating organ prolapse when inserted into a vagina, comprising: (a) an adjustably flexible, substantially planar ring provided with at least one opposing snapping element; (b) a central rod extending at least partially through the ring transverse to the snapping elements, where the central rod is provided with counterpart slots configured for insertion of the snapping elements therein; and, (c) a connection block, co-axial with the central rod and slidable thereover to transition the device from an expanded state to a collapsed state, configured with slots which align with the counterpart slots of the central rod for passage of at least one snapping element therethrough when the device is in the collapsed state.