Expandable Gynecological Prosthetic for Custom Vaginal Fit
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current gynecological prosthetics have high failure rates due to improper fit and design, leading to complications such as irritation, lacerations, and displacement, and there is a lack of effective methods for customizing them to individual anatomies.
Innovation Solution
A gynecological prosthetic with anchor members and expandable connecting links that adapt to the vaginal anatomy, combined with a custom-designing method using patient data and 3D printing technology, to provide a better fit and reduce displacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If simple geometric and symmetrical shapes are used for gynecological prosthetics, then manufacturing is easier and device complexity is reduced, but fit precision and reliability deteriorate due to inability to accommodate unique anatomical variations
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthetic is divided into multiple modular components including anchor members, connecting links, and a base plate that can be independently designed and manufactured. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for both manufacturing feasibility and anatomical adaptation, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and reliability through customized fit.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting links are designed to be compressible and expandable, transitioning from a compact state during insertion to an expanded state that pushes anchor members outward against the vaginal walls. This dynamic capability enables the prosthetic to adapt to unique anatomical variations while maintaining manufacturability through standardized components.
2Reliability
If expandable connecting links are used to push anchor members outward, then reliability and fit improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting links utilize material parameter changes, specifically compressibility and expandability, to transition between insertion and functional states. This allows the prosthetic to achieve reliable anchor engagement without complex mechanical mechanisms, as the expansion is achieved through material properties rather than additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic expansion of connecting links provides a simple yet effective mechanism to secure the prosthetic in place. The expandable nature of the links allows them to transition from a compact insertion state to an expanded functional state, achieving reliability through material behavior rather than complex mechanical systems.
3Measurement precision
If custom-designed prosthetics are created for each patient, then fit precision and reliability improve, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthetic is segmented into modular components that can be customized based on patient measurements. This allows for precise adaptation to individual anatomies while maintaining a standardized design framework, reducing the overall complexity compared to fully custom-designed prosthetics.
Solution Approach 2:
The prosthetic design incorporates adjustable parameters such as the number, size, and positioning of anchor members, as well as the expansion characteristics of connecting links. These parameter changes allow customization for each patient based on their anatomical measurements, achieving high fit precision without requiring entirely new designs.
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 prosthetic achieves improved fit and reduced displacement by redistributing pressure across vaginal walls, minimizing complications and potentially eliminating the need for surgical intervention.
Implementation Method 1
The connecting links are configured to be compressible to enable a compact state when the gynecological prosthetic is being installed in the vagina
Implementation Method 2
the connecting links are configured to be expandable from the compact state after the gynecological prosthetic is installed in the vagina so as to push the anchor members outward against the inside surfaces of the vagina
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a gynecological prosthetic including a plurality of anchor members configured to rest on anchor points within a vagina, and a plurality of connecting links that couple the anchor members together. The connecting links are configured to be compressible to enable a compact state when the gynecological prosthetic is being installed in the vagina. Also, the connecting links are configured to be expandable from the compact state after the gynecological prosthetic is installed in the vagina so as to push the anchor members outward against inside surfaces of the vagina to resist displacement of the gynecological prosthetic. This gynecological prosthetic can have a better fit to an anatomical shape of an upper vagina compared to current gynecological prosthetics, in part because its design and flexibility enable it to expand in certain directions. Also disclosed is a method and apparatus for custom-designing the gynecological prosthetic.