Intravaginal Uterine Electrodes for Accurate Contraction Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for monitoring and preventing preterm labor involve invasive uterine monitors with increased accuracy but compromised safety, and existing pharmaceutical treatments have minimal efficacy and significant side effects.
Innovation Solution
An electroceutical system using intravaginal electrodes to monitor and modulate uterine contractions, applying electrical signals to regulate muscle activity, providing a non-invasive and effective alternative to pharmaceutical interventions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If internal monitors are used to monitor uterine contractions, then measurement accuracy is improved, but safety deteriorates due to the need to penetrate the uterine wall
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the vaginal canal as an intermediary space to position electrodes in proximity to the uterus without penetrating the uterine wall. The electrodes are placed on the vaginal wall or cervix, which are adjacent to the uterus, allowing electrical signals to be transmitted through the tissue to monitor and modulate uterine contractions while avoiding direct uterine wall penetration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical penetration of the uterine wall with electrical signal transmission through adjacent tissues. Instead of physically inserting sensors into the uterus, the system uses electrical fields that can penetrate through the vaginal wall and cervix to reach the uterus, substituting a mechanical invasive approach with a non-invasive electrical approach.
2Reliability
If pharmaceutical treatments are used to prevent preterm labor, then uterine contraction suppression is achieved, but side effects increase for both mother and baby
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces pharmaceutical chemical intervention with electrical field application to achieve the same therapeutic goal. Instead of using drugs that systemically affect the mother and fetus, the system uses localized electrical stimulation through vaginal electrodes to modulate uterine muscle activity, substituting chemical pharmacology with physical electroceutical therapy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies electrical stimulation locally to the uterine tissue through vaginal electrodes, concentrating the therapeutic effect at the target site while minimizing systemic exposure. This localized approach allows the electrical energy to be delivered precisely where needed (uterus) without distributing it throughout the entire maternal and fetal systems, thereby reducing side effects.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If external monitors are used to monitor uterine contractions, then safety is maintained, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to distance from the uterus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from external abdominal monitoring to internal vaginal monitoring, changing the spatial dimension and proximity of the sensors. By moving the electrodes from the external abdominal surface through the vaginal canal to the cervix and vaginal wall, the system achieves a intermediate position that is much closer to the uterus than external monitors while maintaining non-invasive status.
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 reduces the likelihood of preterm births with greater efficacy and fewer side effects by accurately monitoring and modulating uterine contractions, offering a safer and more precise method than existing treatments.
Implementation Method 1
The housing includes one or more sensing electrodes that measure electroactivity data of the patient's uterus through the cervico-vaginal tissue
Implementation Method 2
The housing includes one or more modulating electrodes that apply electrical modulation to the patient's uterus via the cervico-vaginal tissue
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device is disclosed for monitoring and modulating uterine contractions. The medical device may include a uterine pacemaker and an intravaginal electrode carrier, which may both be located within the body. The intravaginal electrode carrier includes sensing and modulating electrodes that measure uterine electroactivity and apply electrical modulation, respectively. The uterine pacemaker receives the measured uterine electroactivity from the intravaginal electrode carrier and generates the electrical modulation applied by the modulating electrodes. The electrical modulation may be used to inhibit or induce uterine contractions. The intravaginal electrode carrier may be used in addition or as an alternative to an external uterine muscle activity monitor (e.g., a tocodynamometer) for a more accurate measure of uterine contractions that is noninvasive.