Intra-vaginal Fluid Collection Device with External Chamber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current intra-vaginal fluid collection methods, such as tampons and menstrual cups, have limitations including capacity constraints, risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome, discomfort, and inability to collect fluid for convenient medical testing, with messy removal processes that lose valuable samples.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a hollow outer membrane with flexible flaps and a hollow inner collector, allowing for increased fluid capacity, safe material composition, and comfortable, hygienic insertion and removal, enabling efficient fluid collection and testing without hand contact with the vagina.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a menstrual cup is used to increase fluid capacity, then the collection capacity is improved, but the device requires hand insertion and removal which exposes the vagina to bacteria and viruses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a collection device with an external collection chamber that mediates between the vaginal environment and the user. The device includes a vaginal portion that collects fluid and a external portion that stores it, allowing removal without direct hand contact with the vagina. The device can be removed through a mechanism that does not require inserting hands into the vaginal canal, thus preventing exposure to bacteria and viruses while maintaining fluid collection capacity.
2Quantity of substance
If a menstrual cup is used to hold substantial fluid, then the collection capacity is improved, but the width requirement makes it uncomfortable for many users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the collection device into separate functional segments: a vaginal portion for fluid collection and an external collection chamber for storage. This segmentation allows the device to have a narrow profile that fits comfortably in the vagina while still providing substantial fluid capacity through the external chamber. The separated design enables the device to meet both comfort and capacity requirements simultaneously.
3Reliability
If a tampon is used for fluid collection, then the device is simple and safe, but the collection capacity is limited to around 3-12 mL
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested structure where a collection chamber is positioned within an outer membrane or housing. The inner collector is nested within the outer protective membrane, creating a contained environment that safely collects and retains fluid. This nesting arrangement allows for increased fluid capacity compared to traditional tampons while maintaining safety through the protective outer membrane that prevents leakage and contamination.
4Device complexity
If a tampon is used for fluid collection, then the device is simple, but the fluid cannot be conveniently collected for medical testing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fluid collection function from the internal vaginal environment and places it in an external accessible chamber. The collection device includes a mechanism that allows the collected fluid to be easily extracted and transferred to external containers for medical testing. The device can be removed and the fluid can be transferred without complex procedures, maintaining simplicity while enabling convenient fluid collection for testing purposes.
Data Source
AI summary
Arrangements described herein relate to a device for collecting intravaginal fluid. The device is defined by a hollow collector and a flexible fluid collection bag, wherein the device is configured such that when inserted into the vagina, the hollow collector forms a seal with the inner walls of the vagina, while the fluid collection bag extends outside the body. By allowing fluid to collect outside the body rather than inside the, the device is permitted to be narrow in diameter (such as, for example, the diameter of a tampon), to increase user comfort. Flaps at the opening of the hollow collector may be used to seal fluid within the device when it is extracted from the body.