Cannula Stabilizer for Embryo Transfer Tremor Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The embryo transfer process is hindered by the lack of stability for the cervix insertion catheter, leading to hand numbness, fatigue, and tremors, which can cause injury and bleeding, compromising the precision and reproducibility of the technique.
Innovation Solution
An embryo transfer cannula stabilizer device is attached to a vaginal speculum, featuring a main body with a longitudinal groove and a support element, allowing for secure fixation of the cannula, reducing hand movement and tremors, and keeping the surgeon's hands free for other procedural tasks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the surgeon manually holds and stabilizes the cannula during embryo transfer, then the procedure can be performed, but hand tremor and fine movements cause instability at the intracervical level
Solution Approach 1:
The device introduces an intermediary stabilization mechanism between the surgeon's hand and the cannula. The stabilizing member with cavities and longitudinal groove provides a fixed reference structure that eliminates hand tremor effects, allowing the surgeon to operate the cannula through this stable intermediary rather than directly holding it
Solution Approach 2:
The device segments the cannula stabilization function from the surgeon's hand operation. The stabilizing member is divided into distinct functional elements (cavities for cannula reception, longitudinal groove for alignment) that separately handle stabilization and operational control, allowing independent optimization of each function
2Reliability
If the surgeon's hand is fixed in one position to stabilize the cannula, then stability is improved, but the hand becomes obstructed and the surgeon experiences numbness and tiredness
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizing member acts as a mediator that assumes the stabilization function, freeing the surgeon's hand from the fixed position requirement. The hand can now move freely while the intermediary device maintains cannula stability through its structured cavities and groove system
Solution Approach 2:
The device enables self-service stabilization where the stabilizing member's geometry (cavities and groove) automatically provides cannula stabilization without requiring continuous active hand intervention. The structure itself performs the stabilization function passively once positioned
3Duration of action of moving object
If manual maneuvers are performed for extended periods without stabilization aid, then the procedure continues, but precision is compromised due to hand fatigue and tremor
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizing member enables continuous precise action throughout the procedure by maintaining constant cannula stabilization. The fixed geometric structure ensures uninterrupted precision without the degradation that would normally occur due to hand fatigue over time
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediary stabilizing structure decouples procedure duration from precision degradation. By providing a stable reference frame that doesn't fatigue, the device allows the useful action (embryo transfer) to maintain precision regardless of how long the procedure continues
4Ease of operation
If the cannula is introduced without a stabilizing structure, then the procedure can proceed, but hand tremor causes vessel breakdown and bleeding into the catheter
Solution Approach 1:
The device applies preliminary anti-action by pre-establishing a stable cannula position through the stabilizing member's cavities and groove before the actual embryo transfer occurs. This preemptive stabilization prevents the hand tremor-induced vessel breakdown that would otherwise occur during manipulation
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizing member serves as an intermediary protection layer between the surgeon's tremor-prone hand and the fragile cervical vessels. It absorbs and eliminates tremor effects before they can transmit to the cannula tip and cause vessel injury
Data Source
AI summary
The embryo transfer cannula stabilizer is a device attached to a vaginal speculum, which allows the sliding, placement, and secure fixing of a cannula to perform an embryo transfer. The embryo transfer cannula stabilizer prevents fine movement of the user's hand to reduce tremor at the intracervical level and avoid injury to the cervical canal, rupture of blood vessels, and the production of detritus.