Flexible Cone Vaginal Insert for Easier Prolapse Support

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pessaries for managing pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence are difficult to insert and remove, uncomfortable, and require frequent physician visits, posing risks and complications.

Innovation Solution

A vaginal insert device made of elastic, non-absorbent material with a cone-shaped body and a removable stem, designed for easy insertion and removal, featuring an applicator for assistance and ventilation openings for comfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional pessaries are used for managing pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence, then treatment effectiveness is achieved, but insertion and removal difficulty increases and patient comfort decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidinsertion and removal ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The pessary is divided into two main segments: an expandable balloon body for treatment and a collapsible stem for easy insertion and removal. The stem can be compressed independently to facilitate passage through the vaginal opening, then the balloon expands to provide therapeutic support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pessary incorporates dynamic elements including an expandable balloon that can transition between collapsed and expanded states, and a collapsible stem that can be compressed for insertion and then restored. This dynamic behavior enables easy patient self-insertion and removal while maintaining treatment effectiveness when deployed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Duration of action of stationary object

If traditional pessaries are used for extended periods, then treatment continuity is maintained, but patient comfort and convenience deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment continuityVSAvoidpatient comfort and convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The dynamic expandable and collapsible features allow the pessary to be easily inserted and removed by patients themselves, eliminating the need for frequent physician visits for device replacement. Patients can insert the device in the morning and remove it in the evening, maintaining treatment continuity while significantly improving convenience and comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If surgical mesh is used to treat pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence, then symptom amelioration is achieved, but complications and risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesymptom ameliorationVSAvoidcomplications and risks

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pessary is designed as a non-surgical, removable device that can be easily inserted and removed by patients, eliminating the need for permanent surgical implants. This disposable-like approach (where the device is used for a period and then removed and replaced) avoids the serious complications associated with surgical mesh while maintaining symptom relief.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 provides convenient, comfortable, and effective management of pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence without physician intervention, reducing complications and improving patient quality of life.

Implementation Method 1

made of an elastic and non-absorbent material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

ventilation openings for comfort

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVentilation:

Data Source

PatentUS12472092B2Flexible cone-shaped intra-vaginal support device

Publication Date: 2025.11.18 WATKINS CONTI PRODUCTS INC

AI summary

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a flexible and non-absorbent vaginal insert device shaped to be held securely in place in a vagina when inserted, so as to improve symptoms associated with pelvic organ prolapse or urinary incontinence or both, is provided. The device is designed to be relatively easy to insert and remove. An applicator may be used to aid with insertion. The vaginal insert device comprises an upper portion, having a cone-shaped body, having a circular transverse cross-section throughout its length, having a wall with an interior side and an exterior side, an upper open end, a lower end, and a hollow interior, wherein the upper open end of the upper portion is the innermost portion of the device during insertion, and wherein the wall of the upper portion can be squeezed to make the upper portion more compact for easier insertion of the device, and wherein after insertion the wall expands back to its original shape. The device further comprises an exterior rim surrounding and protruding from the exterior side of the wall and being adjacent to the upper open end, and a plurality of ridges surrounding and protruding from the exterior side of the wall, and a removal portion extending from said lower end of said upper portion to assist in removal of the device. The device can also comprise one or more ventilation openings.