Obstetric Device Flexible Rim Support Lugs Fetal Head Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current obstetric devices often fail to efficiently and safely deliver a fetus when it becomes lodged in the birth canal, requiring significant force and manual intervention, which can be limited by the assistant's strength and reach, and may lead to complications during caesarean sections.
Innovation Solution
An obstetric device with a head piece featuring support lugs with inclined contact surfaces and a flexible peripheral rim, combined with an elongate tube, allows for atraumatic support and positioning of the fetal head, facilitating safe and efficient delivery by distributing contact pressure and enabling easier manual guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an assistant uses fingers to push the fetal head into position, then the fetal head can be positioned for delivery, but the assistant requires considerable force and is limited by arm length and physical strength
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the force application function by introducing a mechanical lever arm (the tube extending from the head piece) that allows the assistant to apply force at a distance from the fetal head, thereby reducing the physical strength requirement while maintaining positioning capability
Solution Approach 2:
The obstetric device acts as an intermediary between the assistant and the fetal head, transferring and amplifying the assistant's force through the tube structure to achieve effective head positioning without direct manual manipulation
2Strength
If a rigid head piece is used to contact the baby's head, then structural strength is provided, but trauma may occur to the baby's head
Solution Approach 1:
The head piece material parameter is changed from rigid to soft/compliant, allowing the structure to deform under pressure and distribute contact forces, thereby maintaining structural integrity while preventing trauma to the baby's head
Solution Approach 2:
The head piece is constructed as a flexible structure that can deform to conform to the baby's head shape, providing necessary structural support while avoiding concentrated stress points that could cause trauma
3Stability of the object's composition
If the peripheral rim is rigid to maintain structural integrity, then the device shape is preserved, but the device cannot adapt to different fetal head positions
Solution Approach 1:
The peripheral rim is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to deform and adapt its shape in response to different fetal head positions while maintaining overall structural integrity through the balanced design of rigid and flexible components
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 provides a more efficient and safe delivery method by distributing contact pressure, allowing for effective head positioning and reducing the need for excessive force, while being easy to assemble, clean, and use, with improved hygiene and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
The upper most level of the lugs is positioned below the level of the flexible peripheral rim. The rim deforms under pressure allowing the contact surfaces of the lugs to contact and support the baby's head.
Implementation Method 2
The support lugs have respective inclined upper contact surfaces, preferably inclined toward the centre of the head piece. The contact surfaces are to provide a distributed contact network for contacting the baby's head.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3G
Figure 4A~4G
AI summary
An obstetric device has a head piece 3 having a flexible peripheral rim 7 and a floor 10 spaced from the flexible peripheral rim 7, defining a cavity 9. One or more, and preferably a plurality of, support lugs 11a-d extend upwardly from the floor of the cavity; and an air communication aperture 6 is provided in the floor 10 of the cavity. Preferably the lugs have inclined upper surfaces 21, but lie below the level of the flexible peripheral rim 7. The device may further comprise an elongate tube, extending from the head piece 3, and secured to a proximal end piece, the proximal end piece comprising an orientation mark and a central bore. Also disclosed is an obstetric device comprising a head piece, a distal end piece having an orientation mark; and a tube interconnecting the head piece and the distal end piece. The interconnecting tube communicates with the air communication aperture.