Hemostatic Device with Expandable Ribs for Uterine Contraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hemostatic devices for treating postpartum hemorrhage face challenges in easily inserting into and conforming to the shape of the uterus, while efficiently stimulating uterine muscle contraction and blood vessel constriction without hindering further uterine contraction.
Innovation Solution
A hemostatic device comprising a hollow shaft with an inner channel connected to a vacuum source, hollow ribs with holes leading to the inner channel, a membrane facing the bleeding area, and a mechanism to move the ribs between retracted and expanded positions to fit the uterus, inducing negative pressure for muscle contraction and blood vessel constriction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid or large-sized hemostatic device is used, then the hemostatic effect is improved, but the device cannot be easily inserted into a small or partially retracted uterus
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs a dynamic structure where the ribs can move between retracted and expanded positions. During insertion, the ribs are retracted to minimize the device profile, allowing easy insertion into the uterus. Once inside, the ribs expand to provide adequate contact area with the uterine wall for effective hemostasis, thus resolving the contradiction between insertion ease and hemostatic effectiveness.
2Ease of operation
If a flat flexible plate is used, then the device is easy to insert, but it hinders further uterine contraction once the uterus attains the size of the plate
Solution Approach 1:
The rib mechanism allows the device to adapt dynamically to uterine size changes. As the uterus contracts, the ribs can be retracted or adjusted to accommodate the changing uterine dimensions, preventing interference with further contraction while maintaining hemostatic effect. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction between ease of insertion and adaptability to uterine contraction.
3Device complexity
If the hemostatic device contacts a limited area of the uterine wall, then the device is simpler in structure, but the hemostatic effect is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the contact surface into multiple ribs with holes distributed across them. This segmentation allows the device to cover a larger area of the uterine wall while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. Each rib acts as an independent contact element, and collectively they provide extensive coverage for effective hemostasis, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and hemostatic effectiveness.
4Reliability
If vacuum pressure is applied to the uterine neck area, then hemorrhage is controlled, but excessive pressure is applied to the fragile and non-extensible neck tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The device applies vacuum pressure selectively to different areas through the rib structure. The ribs can be positioned to distribute pressure away from the fragile uterine neck area while maintaining effective pressure on the bleeding sites. This localized pressure distribution allows hemorrhage control without subjecting the fragile neck tissue to excessive pressure, resolving the contradiction between hemorrhage control and tissue protection.
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 stops bleeding by attracting the uterine wall to the ribs, allowing for efficient uterine contraction and blood vessel constriction without hindering further uterine contraction, and can be easily inserted and removed.
Implementation Method 1
induce a negative pressure in the natural body cavity when a negative pressure is applied by the vacuum source, the induced negative pressure being configured so that the wall of the natural cavity is attracted to the ribs
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a hemostatic device (1) comprising: -a hollow shaft (2) extending from a first end (4) to a second end (6), the shaft (2) comprising an inner channel (8) configured to be fluidically connected to a vacuum source, -a plurality of hollow ribs (10), a first end (9) of each rib (10) being fixed to the first end (4) of the shaft (2), each rib (10) comprising an inner channel (11) fluidically connected to the inner channel (8) of the shaft (2) and a plurality of holes (12) leading to the inner channel (11) of the respective rib (10), -a membrane (16) extending between the ribs (10) and configured to be placed so as to face, at least partially, a bleeding area of a natural body cavity, the plurality of holes (12) of each rib (10) being arranged so as to face the bleeding area to induce a negative pressure in the natural body cavity when a negative pressure is applied by the vacuum source, the induced negative pressure being configured so that the wall of the natural cavity is attracted to the ribs (10), and -a mechanism (14) configured to move the ribs (10) relative to the shaft (2) between a retracted position allowing insertion and extraction of the hemostatic device (1) into the natural cavity and an expanded position wherein the membrane (16) and the ribs (10) substantially fit the natural cavity.