Expandable Vaginal Dilator With Controlled Diameter Progression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vaginal dilator kits for treating pelvic pain and vaginismus are cumbersome, bulky, and require multiple dilators of varying sizes, leading to discomfort and inefficiency in treatment.
Innovation Solution
A single, expandable vaginal dilation device with a motor-driven mechanism that allows incremental and controlled expansion from a collapsed to an expanded configuration, featuring a constant distal tip diameter and gradual diameter increase, accompanied by sensors and vibration for user feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple vaginal dilators of varying sizes are used, then the treatment effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity and storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple dilators of varying sizes into a single expandable device. The device includes a body with multiple expandable elements that can be inflated to different diameters, allowing one device to replace multiple traditional dilators. This merging approach maintains treatment effectiveness while reducing device complexity and storage requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The expandable vaginal dilator is designed to perform multiple functions that previously required separate dilators. By incorporating adjustable expandability mechanisms, a single device can provide dilation at various diameter levels, making it universally applicable for different stages of treatment and eliminating the need for multiple specialized dilators.
2Reliability
If multiple vaginal dilators of varying sizes are used, then the treatment effectiveness is improved, but the ease of operation and storage is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple dilators of varying sizes into a single expandable device. The device includes a body with multiple expandable elements that can be inflated to different diameters, allowing one device to replace multiple traditional dilators. This merging approach maintains treatment effectiveness while reducing device complexity and storage requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional dilator kits are used, then the treatment coverage is sufficient, but the treatment duration is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic expandability mechanisms that allow the dilator to be adjusted in real-time during treatment. The expandable elements can be inflated to different diameters and held at each level for controlled periods, enabling a more efficient progression through treatment stages. This dynamic adjustment capability maintains comprehensive treatment coverage while reducing the overall treatment duration by eliminating the need to switch between multiple dilators.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems for the treatment and prevention of pelvic dysfunction are provided. In one embodiment, a vaginal dilation device includes a handle portion and a shaft portion. The shaft portion is configured to expand from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration. The shaft portion can include a distal tip region, a spine region, and a distal arm region connecting the distal tip region to the spine region. The spine region can extend distally from the handle portion to the distal arm region, and can be generally tubular in shape. The distal arm region can be generally conical in shape and be configured to provide a gradual increase in diameter from the distal tip region to the spine region. Methods of use are also provided.