Hydrogel Vulvovaginal Sheath for Force Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing treatments for vulvovaginal pain, such as dilation therapy and conventional lubricants and condoms, fail to effectively reduce pain during sexual intercourse and penetration, often causing discomfort and reinforcing the pain-fear cycle, while lacking compliance and failing to mimic natural vaginal tissue for pleasure.
Innovation Solution
A deformable, biodegradable hydrogel sheath designed to dissipate and disperse forces during vaginal penetration, mimicking natural vaginal mucosa and providing a non-constrictive, pleasurable experience for both partners, made from materials like hydrogel, silicone, or other polymers with optional lubrication layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If dilation therapy is used to increase vaginal elasticity and capacity, then vaginal penetration becomes possible, but the treatment requires daily therapeutic exercises for at least 6 months with compliance rates as low as 25%, causing severe time loss and mental health strain
Solution Approach 1:
The vaginal sheath is pre-formed with an expanded configuration that provides immediate vaginal expansion and elasticity when inserted, eliminating the need for gradual dilation exercises over months. The sheath is collapsed for insertion and then expands to its functional shape within the vagina, providing the adaptability benefit immediately rather than through prolonged treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The vaginal sheath acts as an intermediary device that provides the mechanical expansion and elasticity training effect without requiring direct patient manipulation of dilators. The sheath maintains a predetermined expanded configuration that gradually trains the vaginal muscles while being worn, removing the need for daily active dilation exercises.
2Volume of stationary object
If rigid and inflexible dilators are used to perform dilation therapy, then vaginal capacity increases, but undue force is applied on hypertonic pelvic floor muscles causing pain and burning sensations
Solution Approach 1:
The vaginal sheath is constructed from flexible, compliant materials that can adapt to the patient's anatomy and muscle tone rather than forcing expansion with rigid structures. The flexible material distributes pressure evenly and conforms to the vaginal canal shape, avoiding concentrated force on hypertonic pelvic floor muscles that causes pain.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheath material properties are specifically selected to provide appropriate compliance and flexibility, changing the mechanical parameters from rigid (dilators) to flexible (sheath). This allows the vaginal capacity to increase gradually through the flexible material's deformation without applying undue force that triggers pain responses.
3Ease of operation
If conventional lubricants are used to reduce friction during penetration, then ease of insertion improves, but the lubricants dry quickly requiring reapplication, create mess, leak out of the vagina, and fail to distribute radial forces adequately
Solution Approach 1:
The lubrication function is merged with the structural function of the vaginal sheath itself. The sheath material incorporates lubricious properties directly into its surface, eliminating the need for separate lubricant applications. This combined approach ensures continuous lubrication without drying out, leaking, or requiring reapplication.
Solution Approach 2:
The vaginal sheath provides self-lubrication through its material properties, automatically maintaining adequate lubrication without external intervention. The material's inherent lubricious characteristics ensure continuous ease of operation throughout use, eliminating the need for additional lubricant application by the user.
4Reliability
If traditional condoms are used to prevent pregnancy and disease transmission, then protection is provided, but they are made of thin synthetic materials that fail to cushion and disperse forces, causing discomfort during intercourse
Solution Approach 1:
The vaginal sheath uses composite or specially formulated materials that combine the protective barriers needed for disease transmission prevention with cushioning properties for comfort. The material composition provides both reliability in protection and force dispersion capabilities that thin conventional condoms lack.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheath material is designed with inherent cushioning properties that absorb and disperse forces before they reach the sensitive areas. This beforehand cushioning effect is built into the material structure, providing comfort during intercourse while maintaining protection, unlike thin condoms that transmit forces directly.
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
Reduces vulvovaginal pain and discomfort by distributing forces over a larger area, maintaining pleasure, and staying in place during intercourse, while being sustainable and biodegradable.
Implementation Method 1
A deformable, biodegradable hydrogel sheath designed to dissipate and disperse forces during vaginal penetration
Implementation Method 2
Reduces vulvovaginal pain and discomfort by distributing forces over a larger area
Data Source
AI summary
A vulvovaginal sheath for use in the reduction of vulvovaginal pain and/or discomfort during sexual intercourse and/or penetration. The vulvovaginal sheath comprising at least one hydrogel layer and having a force dissipation and dispersion characteristic enabling a person with provoked or pre-existing vulvovaginal pain or discomfort to engage in sexual intercourse or other penetration while reducing such vulvovaginal pain or discomfort.