Oviduct Restriction Device for Embryo Timing Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Women face difficulties in getting pregnant due to declining fertility rates, especially with increasing age, and existing methods like artificial insemination are costly and not always effective, with timing being critical for embryo release.

Innovation Solution

A device that restricts and releases the oviduct to retain the egg for a couple of days, allowing for optimal timing of egg release, using a combination of mechanical, hydraulic, or stimulation devices to create a peristaltic wave or restrict flow, increasing the chances of pregnancy up to 10 times.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If artificial insemination is used to promote pregnancy, then pregnancy can be achieved, but the cost increases dramatically and the method is not always easy and safe

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepregnancy achievementVSAvoidprocedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the timing control function from the complex artificial insemination procedure by using a separate restriction device on the oviduct. This allows natural conception to occur with optimized timing, eliminating the need for repeated expensive insemination procedures while maintaining pregnancy achievement reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Loss of time

If the egg is released immediately to the uterus, then the natural process is maintained, but the timing precision is insufficient when fertility is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetiming precisionVSAvoidpregnancy likelihood
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The restriction device is installed on the oviduct before the egg release event, allowing the egg to be retained in the oviduct for an extended period (up to 3 days). This preliminary restriction action enables precise timing control of egg release to coincide with optimal fertilization conditions, thereby improving pregnancy likelihood without disrupting the natural process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Duration of action of moving object

If the oviduct is fully restricted to retain the egg, then the egg can be held for longer period, but the risk of egg contact with the wall of the oviduct increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveegg retention periodVSAvoidegg wall contact risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The restriction device applies localized constriction at specific points on the oviduct rather than complete closure. This creates a controlled environment where the egg is retained in the luminal space with adequate room to move, extending the retention period while minimizing the risk of egg contact with the oviduct wall through localized rather than complete restriction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 increases the likelihood of pregnancy by allowing the egg to be retained in the oviduct for a predetermined period, enhancing the chances of conception by up to 10 times compared to traditional methods.

Implementation Method 1

The stimulation device may create a peristaltic like wave in the oviduct

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPeristalsis: Peristalsis

Data Source

PatentEP2211795B1Device for embryo control
Publication Date: 2020.12.16 IMPLANTICA PATENT LTD
  • EP2211795B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2211795B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP2211795B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A system for treating a female patient to promote pregnancy comprising a restriction device adapted to postoperatively restrict and release an oviduct of the patient.