Intravaginal Urethral Support Device with Radial Expansion Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current non-surgical treatments for female urinary incontinence, such as vaginal devices, often fail to provide effective and comfortable solutions, as they can be cumbersome and unreliable, and may not adequately support the urethra to prevent involuntary urine leakage during abdominal pressure increases.
Innovation Solution
An intravaginal device with support arms that radially expand to provide mechanical support to the urethra and surrounding tissues, featuring a normally open expansion mechanism that reduces radial force and size for easy insertion and removal, utilizing a combination of flexible and rigid materials to optimize comfort and effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vaginal device is designed to provide adequate urethral support, then incontinence control is improved, but the device becomes cumbersome and uncomfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs a phase transformation mechanism that allows it to dynamically change its physical state between a compact form for insertion and an expanded supportive form for function. The support arms can be collapsed to a minimal profile for comfortable insertion and removal, then expanded to provide adequate urethral support during use, resolving the contradiction between comfort and effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The support arms are designed to nest within each other or collapse into a compact configuration, allowing the device to be inserted in a space-efficient manner. Once positioned, the arms can be deployed outward to provide the necessary support structure, enabling the device to transition from a compact insertable form to an expanded functional form
2Reliability
If the device is made rigid to provide stable support, then reliability is improved, but insertion and removal become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The device utilizes phase transformation to switch between a flexible, collapsible state for insertion and a rigid, stable state for support. During insertion, the device remains in a flexible collapsed state that can navigate the vaginal canal easily. Once positioned, the phase transformation activates to create a rigid structure that provides stable urethral support throughout use
3Reliability
If the device maintains constant radial expansion to provide support, then incontinence prevention is improved, but comfort during insertion and removal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs controlled radial expansion through phase transformation, remaining in a collapsed low-profile state during insertion and removal for comfort. Once positioned in the vagina, the phase transformation triggers radial expansion to create the supportive structure needed for incontinence prevention, allowing the device to have different radial dimensions at different operational stages
Solution Approach 2:
The device exhibits periodic changes in its radial profile, alternating between a collapsed state for insertion/removal and an expanded state for support. This periodic transformation between states allows the device to optimize its radial dimension for each operational phase, providing comfort during manipulation and effectiveness during use
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 inhibits unintended urine flow by applying targeted support to the urethra, offering improved comfort and reliability through adjustable radial expansion and contraction, enhancing the user's quality of life by reducing incontinence episodes.
Implementation Method 1
a normally open expansion mechanism adapted to urge said support section radially outwards
Implementation Method 2
a conversion mechanism adapted to sharply and selectively reduce an outward urging of said support section
Data Source
Figure 1A~1D
Figure 1E~1F
Figure 1G~1H
AI summary
An apparatus for treating urinary incontinence, comprising: (a) a support section (60,80) adapted for providing urethral support; (b) an anchoring section (20) adapted for resisting movement of the apparatus; (c) a normally open expansion mechanism (102) adapted to urge the support radially outwards; and (d) a conversion mechanism (120) adapted to sharply and selectively reduce an outward urging of said support.