Resilient Coated Ring Removal Tool for Safe Extraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing removal tools for estrogen rings are uncomfortable and potentially harmful due to hard edges, and are not suited for rings that have been squeezed into an ovoid shape, making safe and easy removal difficult.

Innovation Solution

A drug-dispensing ring removal tool with key touch points made of soft resilient material, featuring a rigid elongate member, a hook member with a resilient tip, and a stabilizing flat plate with protruding resilient strips for enhanced control and comfort during use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a hard-edged hook tool is used to remove the ring, then the tool can effectively engage and pull the ring, but it causes discomfort and potential damage to the vaginal canal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvering removal effectivenessVSAvoiddiscomfort and damage to vaginal canal

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The tool combines hard rigid structures (elongate member, hook member, flat plate member) with soft resilient materials (coating on hook tip, coating on front end, protruding resilient members on flat plate) in specific locations. The hard portions provide structural integrity and engagement capability, while the soft portions contact the vaginal canal walls to prevent discomfort and damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The tool uses composite construction with rigid base materials (e.g., polypropylene) coated with soft resilient materials (e.g., silicone rubber or thermoplastic elastomer). This creates a tool that has both the strength needed to engage the ring and the softness needed to protect the vaginal canal walls during insertion and removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Device complexity

If fingers are used to pull the ring out, then no additional tools are needed, but the removal process becomes difficult and uncomfortable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of removal methodVSAvoidease of ring removal

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The tool is designed for self-service ring removal by the user themselves. The elongate member provides a long handle that allows the user to reach into the vaginal canal and engage the ring, while the soft coatings and resilient members make the process comfortable enough for self-administration without requiring clinical assistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If a dome-shaped tool is used to engage the ring perimeter, then the tool can pull the ring out, but the hard edges cause discomfort to the user

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvering extraction capabilityVSAvoiddiscomfort from hard edges

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flat plate member at the distal end provides a broad engagement surface with protruding resilient members that contact the ring perimeter, while the soft coating material ensures comfort during engagement. The hard rigid structure provides leverage for extraction, while the soft local contact points eliminate discomfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The soft resilient coating acts as a flexible layer between the hard rigid tool structure and the sensitive vaginal canal tissues. This flexible coating conforms to the ring shape and softens the contact interface, preventing discomfort while maintaining engagement effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 safe and easy removal of estrogen rings by reducing discomfort and minimizing damage to the vaginal canal, allowing users to manage the tool effectively for successful extraction.

Implementation Method 1

The tip (8) includes a co-molded resilient member (12)... The tip (8) and the co-molded resilient member (12) are made from a low durometer thermoplastic elastomer... The hook member (14) includes a co-molded resilient member (18)... made from a low durometer thermoplastic elastomer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The flat plate (2) includes protruding resilient plastic strips (4)... These protruding strips (4) in combination with the flat plate (2) give the user more control of the ring removal tool (100) during use.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS10052225B2Drug-dispensing ring removal tool

Publication Date: 2018.08.21 OMARA MARY M

AI summary

A drug dispensing ring removal tool with a rigid elongate member, a rigid hook member, a rigid flat plate member, a hook tip resilient member, a hook front end resilient member and a plurality of flat plate resilient members. The hook member is fixedly attached to the proximal end of the elongate member. The flat plate member fixedly attached to the distal end of the elongate member. The hook tip resilient member is fixedly attached to the end of the hook member. The hook front resilient member fixedly attached to the forward most end of the hook member. The flat plate resilient members fixedly attached within cutout portions of the flat plate member. The flat plate resilient members extend approximately one sixteenth of an inch above and below the planar surface of the flat plate member.