Vaginal Probe Orientation Sensor for Pelvic Floor Muscle Monitoring

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices struggle to accurately differentiate between a contraction and a strain of the Pelvic Floor Muscles (PFM) in female subjects, due to the internal location of these muscles, making it difficult to determine correct exercise performance without specialized equipment or professional assistance.

Innovation Solution

A method and system using a vaginal probe device equipped with an orientation sensor that processes data to determine the direction of rotation of the probe during a measurement period, distinguishing between PFM contractions and strains by detecting cranial-ventral and caudal-dorsal rotations respectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If electrodes are used to detect EMG signals, then PFM action can be recorded, but the device becomes awkward and difficult to use privately

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovePFM action detection accuracyVSAvoidPrivate use convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electrical/mechanical electrode-based EMG detection system with an optical sensing system. The optical sensor detects changes in light absorption or reflection caused by PFM contraction, eliminating the need for electrodes and enabling private, convenient use while maintaining measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an optical intermediary (light) to detect PFM action indirectly. Instead of direct electrical contact with the muscle, the system uses light interaction with tissue to infer muscle contraction, providing a non-invasive measurement method that preserves privacy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If invasive electrodes are inserted into the muscle, then accurate PFM stimulation and recording is achieved, but the device becomes invasive and uncomfortable

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovePFM signal accuracyVSAvoidInvasiveness and discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces invasive electrical electrodes with non-invasive optical sensing. The optical system detects PFM contraction through light-tissue interaction without penetrating or contacting the muscle directly, eliminating invasiveness while preserving detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates an optical copy or proxy measurement of PFM action. Instead of directly measuring electrical signals from the muscle, the system measures optical property changes that correlate with muscle contraction, providing an indirect but accurate representation of PFM activity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Ease of manufacture

If manual palpation or visual observation is used, then no specialized equipment is needed, but accurate differentiation between contraction and strain is impossible

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveDevice simplicityVSAvoidContraction vs strain differentiation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical assessment (palpation, visual observation) with automated optical sensing. The optical sensor objectively detects subtle tissue changes that indicate contraction type, providing machine-based measurement precision without requiring complex mechanical devices or professional equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables straightforward, economical, and accurate differentiation between PFM contractions and strains, improving user experience and reducing the need for specialized equipment or professional presence during exercises.

Implementation Method 1

determine a direction of rotation of the vaginal probe device during a measurement period

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

receiving data generated by an orientation sensor provided within a vaginal probe device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAccelerometer: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentUS20250169713A1Method and apparatus for monitoring the pelvic floor muscles

Publication Date: 2025.05.29 WILLOW BLOSSOM HOLDCO LTD

AI summary

There is provided a method of differentiating between a strain and a contraction of the pelvic floor muscles (PFM) of a subject. The method comprises receiving data generated by an orientation sensor provided within a vaginal probe device that is located within the vaginal canal of the subject; utilizing a processor to process data generated by the orientation sensor to determine a direction of rotation of the vaginal probe device during a measurement period. When the processor determines that the vaginal probe device has rotated in the cranial-ventral direction relative to the subject, an output is generated indicating that there has been a contraction of the PFM during the measurement period; and when the processor determines that the vaginal probe device has rotated in the caudal-dorsal direction relative to the subject, an output is generated indicating that there has been a strain of the PFM during the measurement period.