Disposable Cryotherapy Probe for Pelvic Pain Relief

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for Chronic Pelvic Pain (CPP) and Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS) are often invasive, expensive, and have a high failure rate, with many women and men experiencing misdiagnosis and inadequate pain management.

Innovation Solution

A non-invasive, disposable cryotherapy device designed for vaginal or rectal use, which is inserted without an applicator and remains in place for up to ten minutes to reduce pain by decreasing blood flow, inflammation, and nerve activity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If invasive treatments (INTERSTIM implants, cystoscopy, BOTOX injections) are used, then pain relief may be achieved, but the treatment becomes complex, expensive, and invasive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepain relief effectivenessVSAvoidtreatment invasiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a disposable cryotherapy probe that is used once and then discarded. This eliminates the need for complex reusable devices with multiple components, sterilization procedures, and maintenance requirements. The disposable nature reduces device complexity while maintaining effective pain relief through cryotherapy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts only the essential cryotherapy function from complex surgical systems. Instead of using INTERSTIM implants or BOTOX injections, the patent uses a simple probe that delivers controlled freezing to trigger points, removing unnecessary complexity while preserving therapeutic effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If prescription pain medications (hydrocodone, tramadol, vaginal valium) are used, then pain management is provided, but the treatment becomes expensive and carries addiction risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepain management effectivenessVSAvoidaddiction and safety risks

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces pharmacological intervention with a physical therapy mechanism. The cryotherapy probe uses controlled freezing (thermal energy) to treat myofascial trigger points, substituting chemical medications with a mechanical/physical approach that avoids addiction and side effect risks while maintaining pain management effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If pelvic floor physical therapy is used, then non-invasive treatment is provided, but the treatment becomes expensive and requires multiple sessions

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveinvasivenessVSAvoidtreatment duration and cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The disposable cryotherapy probe is pre-filled with cryogenic material and ready for immediate use. This eliminates the need for multiple preparation sessions and allows patients to perform treatment at home, reducing the time and cost associated with repeated clinic visits while maintaining non-invasive benefits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention enables patients to self-administer cryotherapy treatment at home using the disposable probe. This eliminates the need for expensive, repeated physical therapy sessions at clinics, allowing patients to treat themselves conveniently while maintaining the non-invasive approach

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If multiple treatment sessions are required, then effective pain relief may be achieved, but the treatment loses cost-effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepain relief effectivenessVSAvoidcost-effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The disposable probe design allows for inexpensive, single-use treatment. Multiple probes can be purchased and used sequentially at home without the cumulative cost of clinic-based therapies. The low cost of each individual probe maintains cost-effectiveness even when multiple treatments are required, while preserving pain relief effectiveness

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 cryotherapy device effectively relieves pain, cramps, and spasms in the pelvic floor muscles, and can also treat bladder incontinence and other related issues, offering a low-cost, accessible, and non-pharmacological solution for managing CPP and CPPS.

Implementation Method 1

a frozen or near-frozen vaginal insert comprising a cover having a fluid therein which is frozen prior to use/insertion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a frozen or near-frozen vaginal insert comprising a cover having a fluid therein which is frozen prior to use/insertion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFreezing: Freezing

Data Source

PatentUS20250049491A1Device for vaginal or rectal cryotherapy, and methods of production and use

Publication Date: 2025.02.13 DODSON BARBARA ANN

AI summary

An insert, and methods of production and use, for vaginal or rectal cryotherapy to relieve chronic pelvic pain, inflammation, edema, pain related to pelvic floor muscle cramping and spasms, vaginal pain, bladder pain, rectal pain, and other pain and symptoms.