IUS Inserter Locking Mechanism for Less Painful Cervical Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inserters for intrauterine systems cause pain during insertion due to the mismatch in size with the cervix opening, leading to discomfort and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
An inserter design that allows direct entry of the IUS into the cervical canal without inserting any part of the inserter, featuring a small cross-sectional area and timed release of components for a painless or less painful insertion process, with intuitive handling for healthcare professionals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the inserter is designed to be minimally invasive and compact, then patient comfort and ease of insertion are improved, but the ability to securely retain and deploy the IUS becomes compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The IUS is nested within the inserter device during insertion, with the inserter acting as a delivery catheter that contains the IUS in a compressed state. Once positioned in the uterus, the IUS is deployed from the inserter. This nesting approach allows a relatively large IUS to be delivered through a minimally invasive compact inserter.
Solution Approach 2:
The inserter is pre-loaded with the IUS in a prepared state before insertion. The IUS is positioned within the inserter's retention cavity and secured with the locking part beforehand, allowing for a single-step insertion procedure that ensures proper positioning and secure retention without requiring complex in-situ assembly.
2Device complexity
If the inserter uses a simple release mechanism, then device complexity is reduced, but the precision and control over IUS deployment become insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The release mechanism transitions from a static locked state to a dynamic released state through a controlled action. The plunger moves dynamically to push the IUS out of the retention cavity, providing precise control over the deployment timing and force while maintaining a relatively simple overall mechanism structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The plunger acts as an intermediary component between the user's manual input and the IUS deployment. It translates the user's pushing action into controlled force that precisely ejects the IUS from the retention cavity, ensuring accurate deployment without requiring complex mechanical systems.
3Reliability
If the locking part has strong engagement force, then the IUS is securely held during insertion, but the force required to release it increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking part's engagement feature is extracted as a separate functional element that can be independently actuated. The plunger extracts or disengages the locking part from its locked position, allowing the IUS to be released without requiring the user to directly overcome the full engagement force through a complex release mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The plunger serves as an intermediary that applies force to the locking part to disengage it from the retained IUS. This intermediary action allows the locking mechanism to maintain strong engagement during insertion while enabling relatively easy release through the plunger's pushing motion, which translates user input into the necessary release force.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 1B
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
Disclosed is an inserter (1100, 1300, 1400, 1500) for an intrauterine system (1102, 1336, 1402, 1502), comprising a handle body (1104, 1306, 1416, 1504), a measurement tube (1110, 1328, 1406, 1510), a plunger (1132, 1202, 1362, 1450, 1532), a flange (1122, 1404, 1522), a finger holder (1124, 1314, 1446, 1524), and a means (1126, 1526) for reversibly locking removal thread (1128, 1358, 1414) of the intrauterine system. A proximal end (1106, 1440, 1506) of the measurement tube is movably attached to a distal end (1108, 1330, 1454, 1508) of the handle body, and the measurement tube is arranged to remain outside a cervix channel during insertion. The plunger is movably arranged inside the handle body and the measurement tube. The present disclosure also provides a kit comprising the inserter and the intrauterine system.