Intravaginal Microbial Barrier for Premature Birth Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for preventing premature birth are invasive, may disrupt the cervical mucus plug, and are not effective in preventing the migration of microorganisms into the cervical canal.

Innovation Solution

The development of intravaginal methods and devices that create a microbial barrier at the ectocervix without disrupting the cervical canal or mucus plug, using an applicator device to apply a coating material that prevents microorganism proliferation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mechanical barriers (inserts and sealants) are inserted into the uterine cavity or near the internal os to reduce the risk of pre-term birth, then the protection against premature birth is improved, but the invasiveness increases and the cervical mucus plug is disrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against premature birthVSAvoidinvasiveness and disruption of cervical mucus plug

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a vaginal insert as an intermediary device that creates a physical barrier at the vaginal-cervical interface. This mediator blocks the migration pathway of microorganisms from the vagina to the cervical canal without requiring insertion into the uterine cavity, thereby reducing invasiveness while maintaining protective function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective barrier is segmented into two distinct functional zones: a vaginal portion that interfaces with vaginal microorganisms and a cervical portion that interfaces with the cervical canal. This segmentation allows the device to provide protection at the critical transition zone without disrupting the cervical mucus plug or requiring deep uterine insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If mechanical barriers are inserted to prevent microorganism migration, then the prevention of microorganism migration is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to invasive insertion requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of microorganism migrationVSAvoidease of insertion and use

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The vaginal insert serves as an intermediary that simplifies the protective barrier placement by positioning it at the vaginal-cervical interface rather than requiring direct insertion into the uterine cavity. This intermediary approach makes the procedure less invasive and easier to perform while maintaining effective microorganism migration prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If existing barrier methods are used, then the protection provided is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for insertion tools and uterine cavity access

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against pre-term birthVSAvoidcomplexity of insertion mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential protective function from complex uterine cavity insertion mechanisms and relocates it to a simpler vaginal insert placement system. By taking out the barrier function from the complex uterine insertion context and placing it at the vaginal-cervical interface, the device complexity is significantly reduced while maintaining protective effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS20250152926A1Methods and devices to prevent premature birth

Publication Date: 2025.05.15 NINE MEDICAL INC

AI summary

Methods and devices to affect types, proportion, quantity, distribution, or proliferation of microorganisms within a female reproductive system.