Expandable Intravaginal Support Device for Pelvic Organ Prolapse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intravaginal support devices for pelvic organ prolapse are difficult to insert and retain due to their large and stiff design, leading to insufficient retention and potential complications like bleeding and erosion.
Innovation Solution
An intravaginal support device with an expandable and contractible design, featuring an opening/closing portion, a bag portion, and an insertion guide portion that can be easily inserted and expanded within the vagina using a fluid injection device, allowing for secure retention by locking onto pubic tissue through the vaginal anterior wall.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the intravaginal support device is designed with a large and stiff structure to provide sufficient support for pelvic organ prolapse, then the support effectiveness is improved, but the ease of insertion and retention is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The intravaginal support device is designed with expandable and contractible characteristics, transitioning from a compact contracted state for insertion to an expanded supported state for treatment. The device includes an expandable support portion that can be inflated with fluid to provide the necessary structural strength for supporting pelvic organs, while maintaining ease of insertion in its contracted form.
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs a nested structure where the support portion is contained within an insertion portion. When contracted, the support portion is nested inside the insertion portion, creating a compact configuration that facilitates easy insertion through the vaginal orifice. After insertion, the support portion is expanded outward to provide the required support while remaining within the vaginal cavity.
2Ease of operation
If the device is designed to be easily inserted through the vaginal orifice, then the ease of operation is improved, but the retention capability is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The device dynamically changes its dimensions and shape after insertion. The insertion portion guides the device through the vaginal orifice in a compact state, and once positioned, the support portion is expanded to engage with the vaginal wall and pubic tissue, transforming from an easily inserted configuration to a securely retained configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The insertion portion acts as an intermediary structure that facilitates easy insertion while the support portion provides retention. The insertion portion includes a guide portion that directs the device through the vaginal canal, and after deployment, the support portion expands to lock onto the pubic tissue through the vaginal anterior wall, ensuring secure retention.
3Device complexity
If the device structure is simplified for ease of manufacture and operation, then the device complexity is reduced, but the fluid injection operation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The injection portion is merged with the insertion portion as an integrated structure, reducing the number of separate components. The injection portion includes an injection port and fluid passage that are built into the insertion portion, allowing fluid to be injected directly through the insertion portion into the support portion, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining ease of fluid injection operation.
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 can be easily inserted and securely retained within the vagina, providing effective support for pelvic organ prolapse treatment while minimizing discomfort and reducing the risk of complications.
Implementation Method 1
The bag portion (40) is expandable by flowing-in of fluid through the opening/closing portion (20)
Implementation Method 2
the opening/closing portion (20) has a check valve (22) which allows fluid to flow into the bag portion (40) but inhibits the fluid from flowing out
Implementation Method 3
The insertion guide portion (50) is made of an elastic material having such a degree of elasticity that the insertion guide portion (50) can be inserted into a vagina by pushing the ring body (30) toward the depth of the vagina
Data Source
AI summary
An intravaginal support device is disclosed, which is capable of being expanded and contracted in a state of being inserted in a vagina for treating pelvic organ prolapse. The intravaginal support device can include an opening/closing portion capable of switching operations between an open state for allowing passage of fluid therethrough and a cut-off state for cutting off passage of the fluid, a bag portion being expandable by flowing-in of fluid through the opening/closing portion and being contractible by flowing-out of the fluid through the opening/closing portion, and an insertion guide portion adapted to guide the bag portion into the vagina, the insertion guide portion extending along at least part of an outer surface of the bag portion from a vaginal orifice side end portion of the bag portion to a vaginal depth side end portion of the bag portion.