Flexible Pelvic Support Device for Prolapse Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for pelvic organ prolapse, such as surgical operations and pessaries, are either invasive, cause discomfort, or are not adaptable to individual anatomy, and tight corsets exacerbate the condition, leading to inadequate solutions for preventing and treating the condition effectively.

Innovation Solution

A pelvic-organ-prolapse-equipment comprising a flexible member with a shape-memory effect, a supporting mechanism, and an adhesive or exchangeable covering sheet, designed to be worn and adjusted for close contact with the female genital area, providing a convex or concave push-up mechanism to prevent pelvic organs from slipping out, using a holding mechanism with adjustable belts and a waist belt for secure positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If surgical operations are performed to treat pelvic organ prolapse, then the curative effect is improved, but the invasiveness and complexity of treatment increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurative effectVSAvoidtreatment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flexible support member with a specific shape (convex or concave surface) that can be inserted into the vagina to provide mechanical support to pelvic organs. This flexible structure achieves the support function without requiring complex surgical procedures, thereby reducing treatment complexity while maintaining effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The support member acts as an intermediary device between the pelvic organs and the vaginal wall, providing mechanical support and preventing prolapse. This intermediary approach avoids direct surgical intervention on the pelvic organs themselves, reducing invasiveness while achieving the curative effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a ring pessary is inserted into the vagina to prevent organ dropping, then the support function is improved, but the risk of infection and mucous membrane damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport functionVSAvoidinfection risk and mucous membrane damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support member is made of flexible material with a design that conforms to the vaginal anatomy, providing support while minimizing contact with and damage to the mucous membrane. The flexible nature reduces pressure points and friction that could cause abrasion or infection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The support member features a convex or concave surface that matches the curvature of the vaginal canal and pelvic organs, distributing pressure evenly and reducing localized stress on the mucous membrane, thereby preventing abrasion and infection while maintaining support function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Shape

If tight corsets are worn to maintain body shape, then the aesthetic effect is improved, but the abdominal pressure increases and aggravates pelvic organ prolapse

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebody shapeVSAvoidabdominal pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The support member serves as an intermediary that provides the necessary support to pelvic organs without requiring increased abdominal pressure. It directly supports the organs from below, eliminating the need for compressive forces from tight clothing, thus allowing women to maintain body shape without aggravating prolapse.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of applying pressure from the abdomen upward (as tight corsets do), the support member applies support from the vaginal canal upward to the pelvic organs, reversing the direction of force and achieving support without increasing harmful abdominal pressure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 equipment effectively prevents and treats pelvic organ prolapse by maintaining the pelvic organs in place, reducing discomfort and the risk of infection, and accommodating individual anatomy, allowing for comfortable daily life without the need for invasive procedures or foreign materials.

Implementation Method 1

a flexible member with a shape-memory effect

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShape-memory effect: Shape Memory Alloy

Data Source

PatentEP2158882B1Device for preventing and treating pelvic organ prolapse

Publication Date: 2016.09.28 WOMENS MEDICAL RES INC

Figure 1(a)~1(c)
Figure 2(a)~2(d)
Figure 3(a)~3(d)

AI summary

It is intended to prevent a pelvic organ from slipping out of the body by pushing up the organ having slipped out or just before slipping out. A device for preventing and treating pelvic organ prolapse characterized by comprising a convex push-up member (110A) which is made of a flexible material showing a pressing force toward a pelvic organ prolapse site of a wearer and in which the surface to be in contact with the pelvic organ is coated with a coating sheet, or a concave member which is made of a flexible material receiving the pelvic organ prolapse site and in which the surface to be in contact with the pelvic organ is coated with a coating sheet, and a means of holding the convex push-up member or the concave member for tightly pressing the convex push-up member or the concave member to the pelvic organ prolapse site of the wearer as described above.