Cervical Support Ring Structure for Delaying Pre-Term Birth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for pre-term labor, such as tocolytic medication and cervical cerclage, are inadequate in addressing the etiologies of uterine premature contractions and cervical insufficiency, which are leading causes of pre-term births, and there is a need for a more effective and comprehensive solution.
Innovation Solution
A device is inserted into the vagina to support the cervix, measure forces, and release drugs as needed to prevent or delay pre-term labor, featuring an upper and lower ring connected by an elastic component, with anchoring mechanisms and optional drug release, to provide resistance against cervical dilatation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tocolytic medication is used to treat premature contractions, then uterine contractions are suppressed, but the treatment does not address cervical insufficiency and has limited effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single device: the cervical support device integrates mechanical cervical support (addressing cervical insufficiency) with drug delivery capability (addressing premature contractions). This merging allows one device to treat both etiologies of pre-term birth simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed with multi-functionality to address different causes of pre-term birth. The upper ring provides mechanical support for cervical insufficiency while the integrated drug delivery system can administer tocolytic medications for premature contractions. This universal design enables the single device to handle multiple indications effectively.
2Reliability
If cervical cerclage is used to treat cervical insufficiency, then cervical support is provided, but the treatment does not address uterine premature contractions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cervical support function (similar to cerclage) with drug delivery capability. The upper ring positioned around the cervix provides mechanical support while the integrated drug delivery system can administer medications to treat premature contractions, thus addressing both indications simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs multiple functions: mechanical cervical support for cervical insufficiency and pharmacological treatment for premature contractions. This multi-functional approach allows the device to be universally applied to women with different etiologies of pre-term birth.
3Reliability
If a device is inserted into the vagina to support the cervix and measure forces, then pre-term labor is delayed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into distinct functional components: an upper ring for cervical support, a lower ring for anchoring, an elastic component for force measurement, and a drug delivery mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall manageability and reducing unnecessary complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic component acts as an intermediary element that connects the upper and lower rings while providing force measurement capability. This intermediary element enables the device to monitor contraction forces without requiring complex electronic sensors or additional active components, thus reducing overall device complexity while maintaining measurement functionality.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device effectively delays pre-term labor by providing mechanical support to the cervix and potentially administering drugs, addressing both uterine premature contractions and cervical insufficiency, thereby reducing pre-term births.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic component for attaching the upper ring to the anchoring component, wherein the elastic component pushes the upper ring and the anchoring component apart
Implementation Method 2
measuring forces acting upon the above-mentioned device
Data Source
AI summary
A device for retarding birth including an upper ring for surrounding a cervix, an anchoring component for anchoring the device, and an elastic component for attaching the upper ring to the anchoring component, wherein the elastic component pushes the upper ring and the anchoring component apart. A device for retarding birth including a sleeve for surrounding a cervix along a greater portion of a length of the cervix, a support strip on the sleeve directed along an axis of the sleeve, and a ring at least partially around the sleeve, in which when a top of the sleeve is pushed to expand radially, the support strip pivots on the ring, such that an end of the support strip near the top of the sleeve moves radially outward, and an end of the support strip near the bottom of the sleeve moves radially inward. Related apparatus and methods are also described.