Collapsible Pessary Stem Loop for Self-Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pessaries for pelvic organ prolapse are difficult to remove and insert independently, leading to reliance on healthcare practitioners for maintenance, discomfort, and increased risk of complications, particularly in self-management and under-resourced areas.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible pessary with a unique easy-to-access loop on the stem for finger insertion and removal, combined with webbing to prevent overcollapsing, and manufacturing techniques for stiffness, flexibility, and hinged capability, allowing for easy deployment and retraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional pessary designs are used, then the device provides structural support for pelvic organs, but the device is difficult to remove and insert independently
Solution Approach 1:
The pessary is divided into a support portion and a stem portion that can move relative to each other. The support portion can be collapsed along the stem for insertion and then expanded to provide structural support, while the stem remains relatively simple in structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The pessary incorporates dynamic characteristics through the movable connection between the support portion and stem. The support portion can dynamically change between collapsed and expanded states, allowing easy insertion/removal while maintaining support function when deployed.
2Reliability
If the pessary is made rigid for support, then it provides stable support for prolapsed organs, but it causes discomfort and difficulty in self-management
Solution Approach 1:
The pessary transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic structure that is rigid when deployed (providing stable support) but collapsible for insertion and removal. This allows the device to be both reliable for support and easy to manage independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The support portion can be constructed with flexible materials or thin-walled structures that allow collapsing during insertion/removal but maintain rigidity when expanded and positioned, enabling both self-management and stable support.
3Productivity
If the pessary structure is simplified for easy manufacturing, then manufacturing efficiency improves, but the device loses collapsible functionality
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the pessary into distinct portions (support portion and stem) with a defined connection mechanism, the design allows for efficient manufacturing of each component while maintaining the overall collapsible functionality through their articulated connection.
Data Source
AI summary
A pessary providing various structures, parts, and components to enable the pessary to remain deployed in a supportive position so that it may reliably provide the desired supportive capabilities. A ridge structure prevents over-rotation of the supportive members. The pessary can be formed preferably by injection molding where the mold has at least one insert. The geometry of the pessary can enable the pessary to have the required stiffness, flexibility, hinged capability, and softness where needed to achieve a pessary that is superior to prior art pessaries.