Cervical Vacuum Sealing Device for Fluid Leakage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for maintaining a fluid-tight seal during uterine procedures, such as those involving cervical dilation and instrument insertion, often result in fluid or gas leakage due to insufficient natural sphincter seal, requiring mechanical enhancement which can cause trauma and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A cervical sealing device with an elongated body and suction holes that applies negative pressure to enhance the seal by drawing surrounding tissue closer, using a vacuum channel to maintain a tight seal around medical instruments inserted through the cervix.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional clamps are used to seal the cervix, then the seal strength is improved, but patient trauma and discomfort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical compression system (clamps) with a vacuum-based system. The vacuum seal device uses negative pressure applied through a channel to create sealing force, eliminating the need for mechanical clamps that cause trauma. The vacuum pressure is distributed across the cervical tissue through the elongated body, providing effective sealing without concentrated mechanical force.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic principles by using vacuum (negative pressure) to create the sealing effect. The vacuum channel delivers negative pressure to the cervical tissue, causing it to adhere to the outer sealing surface of the elongated body. This pneumatic approach provides uniform distribution of sealing force without the mechanical trauma associated with clamps.
2Reliability
If multiple clamps are used to seal the cervix, then the seal reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sealing function into a single integrated device - the elongated body with vacuum channel. Instead of using multiple separate clamps, the vacuum system provides circumferential sealing through one device. The elongated body is inserted through the cervix and the vacuum channel distributes negative pressure around the entire circumference, achieving reliable sealing with a single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The elongated body serves multiple functions: it provides the sealing surface, contains the vacuum channel for negative pressure delivery, and maintains structural integrity during insertion and operation. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple specialized clamps while achieving comprehensive cervical sealing.
3Ease of operation
If the cervix is over-dilated to accommodate instruments, then the ease of operation is improved, but fluid or gas leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum seal is applied before or during instrument insertion to maintain cervical closure. The negative pressure is established in advance to create the sealing force, allowing instruments to be passed through the elongated body without compromising the seal. This preliminary application of vacuum prevents the need for excessive dilation while maintaining ease of instrument passage.
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 prevents fluid or gas leakage by enhancing the natural seal of the cervix, reducing trauma and discomfort, and allowing for the safe insertion and operation of therapeutic devices within the uterus.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum channel formed in the elongated body for transferring a negative pressure to the suction holes to increase a sealing force applied by tissue of the entrance passage to the outer surface of the elongated body
Data Source
AI summary
A device for accessing a hollow organ comprises an elongated body sized for insertion into an entrance passage to the hollow organ, the elongated body including an outer sealing surface engaging an inner surface of the entrance passage and a working channel extending therethrough from a proximal port which, when the elongated body is in the operative position is proximal to a proximal opening of the entrance passage, to a distal port which, when the elongated body is in the operative position, extends distally past a distal opening of the entrance passage into the hollow organ and a plurality of suction holes formed through an outer wall of the elongated body, disposed around a circumference of a portion of the elongated body which, when the elongated body is in the operative position, is located within the entrance passage in combination with a vacuum channel formed in the elongated body for transferring a negative pressure to the suction holes to increase a sealing force applied by tissue of the entrance passage to the outer surface of the elongated body.