Flexible-Membrane Pressure-Sensing Device for Pelvic Floor Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies lack effective means to monitor and facilitate pelvic floor muscle exercises, which are crucial for maintaining bladder and bowel control, reducing back pain, and enhancing sexual function, as these muscles often become weak or ineffective.
Innovation Solution
A pressure-sensing device comprising a device frame, flexible membrane, and pressure sensor, which encloses a pressure chamber to detect muscle contractions in the perineum region, communicating with device electronics to determine pressure and provide feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a pressure-sensing device is designed to monitor pelvic floor muscle exercises, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for enclosed pressure chambers, flexible membranes, and electronic components
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor is nested within the pressure chamber, which is formed by the device frame and flexible membrane. The electronics are integrated within the device frame structure. This nested arrangement allows multiple functional components to occupy overlapping spatial volumes, reducing overall device footprint and complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The device frame serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, houses the electronics, forms part of the pressure chamber enclosure, and provides mounting surfaces for the flexible membrane and pressure sensor. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement capabilities.
2Measurement precision
If the device frame and flexible membrane enclose a pressure chamber, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components and assembly requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The device frame and flexible membrane are combined to form the pressure chamber enclosure. The flexible membrane serves dual purposes as both the sensing element and the closing surface of the pressure chamber. This merging reduces the number of separate components needed to create the pressure-sensing structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible membrane acts as both the sensing element and the enclosing surface of the pressure chamber. This thin film structure eliminates the need for rigid chamber walls, reducing component quantity and assembly complexity while maintaining the pressure measurement function.
3Measurement precision
If the pressure sensor is placed within the pressure chamber, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to restricted access for calibration and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor is extracted from a permanently enclosed position and placed within the pressure chamber through a configurable opening. This opening can be closed during operation to maintain pressure integrity but opened during maintenance to allow sensor access. This extraction approach maintains measurement precision during operation while enabling ease of maintenance when needed.
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 effectively monitors and provides feedback on pelvic floor muscle exercises, improving muscle function and overall health benefits such as bladder control, reduced back pain, and enhanced sexual function.
Implementation Method 1
The pressure sensor is configured to generate a pressure signal indicating a pressure in the pressure chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure-sensing device includes a device frame, a flexible membrane, a pressure sensor, and device electronics. The device frame includes a base surface that rests on a supporting structure and a frame attachment region located opposite to the base surface such that the frame attachment region is raised from the supporting structure when the base surface is resting on the supporting structure. The device frame also includes a seating surface. The flexible membrane is attached to the frame attachment region such that the device frame and the flexible membrane enclose a pressure chamber. The seating surface extends outward around the flexible membrane and the flexible membrane protrudes above the seating surface. The pressure sensor is configured to generate a pressure signal. The device electronics are configured to determine the pressure in the pressure chamber based on the pressure signal.