Compressible Electrode for Pelvic Floor Stimulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electro-stimulation systems for treating urinary and faecal incontinence face challenges with electrode placement and comfort, particularly for women with pelvic floor disorders, as existing electrodes are often rigid and difficult to position correctly, and require specialized equipment for adjusting signal parameters.
Innovation Solution
A compressible vaginal or anal electro-stimulation electrode with electro-conductive elements on its surface, made from resiliently deformable materials, that can be reversibly compressed to fit snugly within the pelvic floor endocavity, ensuring effective contact without the need for additional expansion devices and allowing easy insertion and expansion to conform to the cavity shape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid electrodes are used for electro-stimulation, then structural support and stability are improved, but ease of positioning and comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode body is designed to be compressible and deformable, transitioning from a rigid state during insertion to a conforming state during use. The body can be compressed to a smaller size for easy insertion into the endocavity, then expands to conform to the cavity walls, providing both ease of positioning and structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode body is constructed from resiliently deformable material that forms a flexible shell structure. This flexible body can be compressed for insertion and then expands to maintain contact with the endocavity walls, resolving the contradiction between rigidity for support and flexibility for positioning.
2Ease of manufacture
If rigid electrodes are used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability to different cavity shapes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode body material properties are designed to allow compression and expansion. The body can be manufactured in a standard shape but changes its physical parameters (volume, shape) when compressed and expanded, enabling adaptability to different endocavity shapes while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode body is made from resiliently deformable material that combines structural integrity with deformability. This composite material allows the electrode to maintain a defined shape during manufacture while being able to adapt to different cavity shapes during use through compression and expansion.
3Reliability
If additional expansion devices are used to ensure electrode contact, then contact effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode body is designed to self-expand after insertion to ensure contact with the endocavity walls. The resiliently deformable material automatically expands to conform to the cavity shape without requiring additional expansion devices, maintaining contact effectiveness while reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The expansion function is integrated directly into the electrode body itself rather than requiring separate expansion devices. The body's inherent resilient properties provide the expansion mechanism, eliminating the need for additional components and reducing overall device complexity.
4Measurement precision
If specialized equipment is used for adjusting signal parameters, then treatment precision is improved, but ease of use and accessibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode system allows patients to self-adjust signal parameters using simple controls integrated into the device. The design enables patients to perform treatments at home without requiring specialized equipment or professional assistance, improving ease of use while maintaining treatment precision through user-friendly parameter adjustment capabilities.
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 compressible electrode provides effective neuromuscular stimulation with improved comfort and ease of use, maintaining contact with the endocavity walls and allowing for adjustable signal parameters without the need for expensive, complex equipment, enhancing treatment efficacy for pelvic floor muscle dysfunction.
Implementation Method 1
a body made from a resiliently deformable material which is reversibly compressible
Data Source
AI summary
A compressible electrode for the stimulation of the musculature of the pelvic floor complex e.g. for the treatment of anterior and posterior pelvic floor muscle dysfunction, is reversibly compressible and has electro-conductive elements. The compressible electrode may be used with all the usual control units and treatment regimes for the electro-stimulation of the musculature and nerves of the vagina and/or anus. The compressible electrode may be inserted into the vagina or anus through the use of an applicator. In the compressed state the compressible electrode may be of tampon proportions and after use may easily be removed.