Transvaginal Gestational Sac Relocation Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for ectopic pregnancy often result in the loss of the pregnancy, as they either require the injection of abortifacient drugs or surgical removal of the fallopian tube, neither of which allows the embryo to implant in the uterus.

Innovation Solution

A surgical device is inserted trans-vaginally to capture the gestational sac from the fallopian tube, relocate it to the uterus, and release it onto the endometrial lining, using an expandable and invertable frame with vacuum assistance to atraumatically move and release the sac, allowing the embryo to implant and continue developing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If surgical removal of the fallopian tube is performed to treat ectopic pregnancy, then the ectopic pregnancy is eliminated, but the pregnancy is lost and the fallopian tube is damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoiddamage to fallopian tube and loss of pregnancy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The gestational sac is extracted from the fallopian tube using a specialized surgical device with a transport cavity, allowing removal of the ectopic pregnancy without removing the fallopian tube itself. The sac is captured, transported through the tube, and released into the uterus, preserving the fallopian tube structure while eliminating the ectopic pregnancy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

A surgical device acts as an intermediary tool to facilitate the transfer of the gestational sac from the fallopian tube to the uterus. The device includes a transport cavity that temporarily holds the sac and mechanisms to guide it through the fallopian tube and into the uterus, enabling relocation without direct damage to the tube or pregnancy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If abortifacient drug injection is used to treat early ectopic pregnancy, then the embryo growth is stopped, but the pregnancy is lost and the embryo is absorbed or miscarried

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidloss of pregnancy and embryo

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical treatment (abortifacient drugs) with a mechanical surgical approach. Instead of using methotrexate to stop embryo growth, the device mechanically captures and relocates the gestational sac to the uterus, where natural implantation and continuation of the pregnancy can occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The surgical device serves as an intermediary that physically transfers the gestational sac from the ectopic location to the uterus, enabling the pregnancy to continue naturally without requiring chemical intervention to stop embryo development.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the gestational sac is relocated to the uterus, then the pregnancy can continue, but the procedure requires complex surgical manipulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepregnancy continuationVSAvoidsurgical device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The surgical device is segmented into distinct functional components: a shaft for insertion, an expandable frame with petals for capturing the gestational sac, a transport cavity for holding the sac, and a release mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall device manageability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device incorporates dynamic elements including an expandable frame that transitions from a collapsed insertion configuration to an expanded sac-capturing configuration, and a release mechanism that dynamically opens the transport cavity to allow sac release into the uterus. These dynamic features enable the device to adapt its structure to different operational phases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

This method enables the treatment of ectopic pregnancy without compromising the pregnancy, allowing the embryo to implant and continue growing within the uterus, thereby saving the pregnancy and preventing life-threatening complications.

Implementation Method 1

Vacuum applied through the shaft assembly pulls the portion of the elastic jacket at least partially into an interior of the frame to define a transport cavity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

an elastic jacket including a portion extending over a distal end of the end effector assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11974780B2Devices, systems, and methods for treating an ectopic pregnancy without compromising the pregnancy

Publication Date: 2024.05.07 COVIDIEN LP

AI summary

A method of treating an ectopic pregnancy without compromising the pregnancy includes inserting a surgical device trans-vaginally to a position outside a uterus such that a portion of the surgical device is positioned adjacent a gestational sac, including an embryo, that is disposed outside the uterus. The method further includes atraumatically capturing the gestational sac with the surgical device, atraumatically moving the surgical device to relocate the captured gestational sac to a position within the uterus, atraumatically releasing the gestational sac from the surgical device within the uterus, and withdrawing the surgical device.