Anorectal Biofeedback Probe With Animated Home Therapy Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biofeedback therapy systems for anorectal and pelvic floor disorders are cumbersome, not user-friendly, and lack standardized methods for home and office use, particularly for conditions like dyssynergic defecation, fecal incontinence, and urinary incontinence, limiting their effectiveness and accessibility.
Innovation Solution
A 3-sensor anorectal probe with a balloon, designed for wireless communication with a smartphone app, providing real-time animated anatomical feedback and voice-guided instructions for home biofeedback therapy, complemented by a web-based software system for office use, enabling comprehensive and user-friendly treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If current biofeedback therapy systems are used, then treatment for anorectal and pelvic floor disorders is provided, but the systems are cumbersome and not user-friendly
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional modules: a probe for insertion, a wireless transmitter, a smartphone app for processing and feedback, and a display device. This segmentation allows each component to be simplified and optimized independently, making the overall system more user-friendly while maintaining functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex mechanical monitoring and feedback mechanisms with wireless electronic communication and digital processing. The probe uses wireless transmission to send data to a smartphone app, eliminating the need for complex wired monitoring systems and mechanical feedback displays, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If standardized methods for home and office use are implemented, then accessibility and treatment effectiveness are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to function effectively in both home and office settings through a universal platform. The same probe and smartphone app can be used for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, eliminating the need for separate specialized equipment for different environments and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a simplified digital copy of the therapeutic process through the smartphone app, which replicates the functionality of complex office-based equipment. The app processes sensor data and provides feedback in a simplified format that can be used at home, copying the essential therapeutic function without requiring complex hardware.
3Measurement precision
If diagnostic monitor displays are used for biofeedback therapy, then scientific measurements are obtained, but the displays are not designed for lay persons to understand abnormalities
Solution Approach 1:
The smartphone app serves as an intermediary between the scientific measurements and the patient. It receives raw data from the probe, processes it into meaningful information, and presents it in a simplified, easy-to-understand format with visual feedback, thereby bridging the gap between technical measurements and patient comprehension.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses visual feedback with color changes and animated graphics to communicate anatomical status to the patient. Different colors and visual patterns indicate different physiological states, providing intuitive feedback that patients can understand without technical knowledge, while maintaining measurement precision through the underlying sensor data.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a device for facilitating treatment for anorectal and pelvic floor disorders of users using biofeedback therapy. Accordingly, the device may include a body extending between a top end and a bottom end. Further, the device may include a balloon mounted on the top end portion of the body. Further, the device may include a plurality of sensors comprising at least one first sensor, at least one second sensor, and at least one third sensor. Further, the device may include a processing device communicatively coupled with the plurality of sensors. Further, the processing device may be configured for analyzing final first balloon data, first sensor data, second sensor data, and third sensor data, determining an anorectal anatomical change, and generating a dynamic visual representation and a static visual representation. Further, the device may include a communication device configured for transmitting the dynamic visual representation to an output device.