Obstetric Device Flexible Head Piece Fetal Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

During birthing processes where the fetus becomes lodged in the birth canal, existing methods often require significant force and limited manual dexterity to position the fetal head for caesarean delivery, posing challenges in efficient and safe fetal extraction.

Innovation Solution

An obstetric device featuring a flexible head piece with a peripheral rim and support lugs, an air communication aperture, and an elongate tube, allowing for atraumatic contact and positioning of the fetal head, facilitated by a three-part construction with a proximal end piece for secure orientation and easy assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If an assistant uses fingers to push the fetal head into position, then the fetal head can be positioned for delivery, but considerable force is required and the assistant's physical strength is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce required to position fetal headVSAvoidease of positioning fetal head

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device acts as an intermediary between the assistant and the fetal head. The head piece with support lugs contacts the fetal head, while the elongate tube transmits force from the assistant's hand at the proximal end piece to the fetal head, amplifying the assistant's ability to position the head without requiring excessive physical strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The device replaces the direct mechanical action of fingers pushing the fetal head with a leveraged mechanical system. The elongate tube functions as a lever, allowing the assistant to apply force at a distance from the fetal head, reducing the physical strength required while maintaining effective positioning capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If the assistant works under a surgical drape to position the fetal head, then sterility is maintained, but the assistant works blind and positioning precision is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterility maintenanceVSAvoidpositioning precision of fetal head

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The device serves as an intermediary that bridges the gap between the need for sterility (maintained by the drape) and the need for visual feedback. The elongate tube transmits tactile information from the fetal head to the assistant's hand, allowing the assistant to sense positioning accuracy while the drape remains intact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The device incorporates visual indicators (positioning marks or formations on the proximal end piece) that can be seen through or beyond the drape, providing visual feedback to the assistant about the position of the fetal head without compromising sterility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Ease of operation

If a rigid head piece is used to contact the baby's head, then positioning control is improved, but trauma to the baby's head may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning controlVSAvoidtrauma to baby's head

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The head piece incorporates a flexible peripheral rim that can deform to conform to the shape of the baby's head. This flexibility allows the device to maintain contact and positioning control while adapting to the contours of the head, reducing the risk of trauma compared to a completely rigid structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The device combines materials with different rigidity parameters - the peripheral rim is flexible to prevent trauma, while the support lugs provide sufficient rigidity for positioning control. This variation in mechanical parameters throughout the device allows it to simultaneously achieve both positioning control and trauma prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Strength

If the peripheral rim and support lugs are rigidly connected, then structural strength is improved, but the ability to deform independently is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strength of head pieceVSAvoidability to deform with pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The head piece is segmented into distinct components - the peripheral rim and the support lugs - that are connected but can deform independently. This segmentation allows the peripheral rim to deform to conform to the head shape while the support lugs maintain their structural integrity for positioning, achieving both adaptability and strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the head piece have different mechanical properties tailored to their specific functions. The peripheral rim has higher flexibility for adaptation, while the support lugs have higher rigidity for positioning control. This local differentiation of material or structural quality allows the device to simultaneously achieve deformability and structural strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10219833B2Obstetric device

Publication Date: 2019.03.05 GUY S & ST THOMAS S NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

AI summary

An obstetric device has a head piece having a flexible peripheral rim and a floor spaced from the flexible peripheral rim defining a cavity. One or more support lugs extend upwardly from the floor of the cavity; and an air communication aperture is provided in the floor of the cavity. Typically the device is formed a distal end piece having an orientation mark; and a tube interconnecting the head piece and the distal end piece.