Hysteroscopic Suction Assembly for Rapid Postpartum Hemorrhage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Postpartum hemorrhaging (PPH) remains a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality, particularly in developing countries, with existing management methods being time-consuming and inadequate for immediate control of excessive bleeding.
Innovation Solution
A hysteroscopic system with a main assembly and uterine assembly, featuring cervical and vaginal seals, anchoring members, and negative pressure ports, is designed to rapidly control uterine bleeding by collapsing uterine and vaginal cavities using controlled suction and expandable members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conservative management methods (uterine massage, therapeutic oxytocin) are used to control postpartum hemorrhaging, then the treatment is gentle and can be administered easily, but the time to control bleeding is long and may not provide immediate arrest of bleeding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conservative medical management (uterine massage, oxytocin administration) with a mechanical hysteroscopic system that uses suction and expandable members to physically collapse uterine cavities and arrest bleeding immediately. This substitution of mechanical intervention for medical management resolves the contradiction by providing both ease of operation through automated system control and immediate time to control bleeding through direct mechanical hemostasis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and parameters of the uterine cavity by introducing negative pressure through suction ports and expandable members that change volume to collapse the cavity. This parameter change from normal uterine tone to collapsed state enables immediate bleeding arrest while the system can be controlled easily through external actuators, resolving the time-ease contradiction.
2Loss of time
If immediate mechanical intervention is used to arrest bleeding, then the time to control bleeding is reduced, but the device complexity increases with multiple anchoring members and seal components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested structure where the hysteroscopic assembly contains multiple functional components (anchoring members, seal members, suction ports, expandable members) arranged concentrically and hierarchically within the elongated body. This nesting allows immediate bleeding arrest through coordinated action of all components while managing device complexity through compact integration rather than separate discrete elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The hysteroscopic assembly integrates multiple functions into a single device: sealing (cervical and vaginal seal members), anchoring (multiple anchoring members), suction (negative pressure ports), and mechanical collapse (expandable members). This multi-functionality enables immediate bleeding arrest without requiring multiple separate devices, thereby reducing overall procedural complexity despite the sophisticated integration of components.
3Reliability
If multiple anchoring members and seal members are used to ensure proper positioning and cavity collapse, then the reliability of bleeding control is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of operation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the controller monitors and adjusts the state of anchoring members, seal members, and expandable members based on operational parameters. This feedback control ensures reliable bleeding control by automatically positioning and activating components as needed, while simplifying operation for the user through automated coordination rather than manual manipulation of each component.
Solution Approach 2:
The hysteroscopic assembly is designed to self-position and self-activate its components through coordinated mechanical and pneumatic actions. The anchoring members and seal members automatically engage with tissue structures, and the expandable members self-expand to collapse the uterine cavity without requiring complex manual manipulation. This self-service capability maintains high reliability while reducing operational complexity.
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 system effectively collapses uterine and vaginal cavities to arrest bleeding quickly, potentially saving lives by providing immediate and effective management of postpartum hemorrhaging.
Implementation Method 1
The third anchoring member is configured to transition between an anchoring state and a non-anchoring state. The anchoring state of the third anchoring member is a state in which the third anchoring member applies at least a first negative pressure (e.g., suction).
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments relate to a hysteroscopic system for managing post-partum hemorrhaging. The hysteroscopic system includes a main assembly and a uterine assembly. The main assembly includes a main channel, a cervical seal member, a first anchoring member, a second anchoring member, and a third anchoring member. The uterine assembly includes a first negative pressure port, a uterine expandable member, and a second negative pressure port.