Endocavitary Probe for Stress Incontinence via Muscle Stimulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current solutions for stress urinary incontinence, such as perineal reeducation sessions and surgical implantation of synthetic tissue strips, are either restrictive, unsatisfactory, or require frequent hospital visits, and existing devices like diapers are degrading and ineffective in preventing leaks.

Innovation Solution

An autonomous probe device inserted into the vagina or rectum that measures physical effort-induced pressure variations and provides electrical stimulation to the perineal muscles to prevent urine leakage, using pressure sensors or electro-myographic signals to trigger muscle contraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If perineal reeducation sessions are provided, then muscle strength in the pelvis is improved, but the solution is restrictive and requires frequent hospital visits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of incontinence managementVSAvoidconvenience of treatment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device enables self-treatment by providing automated electrical stimulation and feedback mechanisms that allow patients to perform incontinence management independently at home, eliminating the need for frequent practitioner supervision while maintaining treatment effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If synthetic tissue strips are implanted surgically, then urethral support is provided, but the solution requires surgical procedure and hospitalization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedurability of incontinence managementVSAvoidsimplicity of implementation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the mechanical support provided by synthetic tissue strips with an electrical stimulation system that activates muscles to provide dynamic support, eliminating the need for surgical implantation while achieving comparable or superior durability through physiological mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If diapers or protection devices are worn, then urine leakage is contained, but the solution is degrading and does not prevent leaks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol of urine lossVSAvoidprevention capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device applies preliminary electrical stimulation to activate perineal muscles before urine leakage occurs, creating preventive muscle contraction that actively opposes the leakage mechanism, thereby preventing leaks rather than merely containing them after they start

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

4Measurement precision

If pressure sensors or electro-myographic signals are used to trigger stimulation, then timely muscle contraction is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of physical effort detectionVSAvoidcomplexity of autonomous probe device

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device monitors changes in physiological parameters such as pressure or electro-myographic signals and triggers stimulation when threshold values are exceeded, using parameter change detection to achieve timely and accurate muscle activation without requiring overly complex processing systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 allows for discreet, hygienic, and permanent prevention of urine loss without the need for surgical procedures or regular sessions, offering a more reliable solution for both men and women by enhancing muscle control and continence.

Implementation Method 1

said measuring means consists of a pressure sensor capable of measuring a variation of the pressure within said cavity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure measurement:

Implementation Method 2

said electrical stimulation means consists of at least one electrode. Said electrode is, in a particularly advantageous manner, into contact with the perineal muscles and is capable of generating a contraction of said muscles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical stimulation:

Implementation Method 3

said measuring means consists of an electrode for measuring an electro-myographic signal of the perineal muscles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectro-myographic signal detection:

Data Source

PatentUS10828488B2Probing device for managing stress urinary incontinence

Publication Date: 2020.11.10 AKSE

AI summary

The self-contained endocavitary probe device for managing stress incontinence is capable of being inserted into the vaginal or rectal cavity of a person. The device includes at least one self-contained electrical power supply so as to supply power to at least one device for measuring the variation in a parameter resulting from physical stress and to at least one electrical muscle stimulation device in contact with at least one muscle capable of maintaining urinary continence. The electrical stimulation device is activated in the event of variation in the parameter.