Suction Cervix Stabilizer for Low-Trauma IUD Insertion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing IUD insertion procedures cause significant pain due to the application of the tenaculum and insertion through the cervix, with existing alternatives like the Aspivix device being expensive and less effective in stabilizing the cervix.

Innovation Solution

A cervix stabilizing device that uses suction to grasp and stabilize the cervix during IUD insertion, utilizing a handle with a compartment and plunger mechanism to generate negative pressure for secure attachment, allowing for single-handed operation and adjustable suction control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a tenaculum is used to grasp and stabilize the cervix during IUD insertion, then the cervix can be stabilized for insertion, but significant pain and trauma are caused to the cervix

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecervix stabilityVSAvoidpain and trauma

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a suction device that uses negative pressure (vacuum) to grasp and stabilize the cervix. The device includes a shaft with a lumen that communicates with a compartment, where a plunger mechanism creates negative pressure to suction the cervix into place, eliminating the need for mechanical grasping instruments like tenaculum that cause pain and trauma.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical grasping system (tenaculum) with a pneumatic suction system. Instead of using mechanical force to hold the cervix, the device uses suction force generated by the plunger mechanism to create a vacuum that securely holds the cervix without causing trauma or significant pain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the Aspivix device is used to stabilize the cervix, then the cervix can be stabilized, but the device is expensive and less effective

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecervix stabilizationVSAvoidcost-effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separate functional components: a handle with a compartment, a plunger mechanism for generating suction, and a shaft with a cervical interface. This segmentation allows for simpler manufacturing and lower cost while maintaining effective cervix stabilization through the same suction mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention appears to be designed as a disposable or low-cost device compared to the Aspivix device. The simple plunger mechanism and basic structural components suggest a more economical manufacturing process that reduces device cost while maintaining clinical effectiveness in cervix stabilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of operation

If a plunger mechanism is used to generate negative pressure, then suction control is achieved, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuction controlVSAvoidhandle structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The plunger mechanism is integrated within the handle body, merging the suction generation function with the handling structure. The compartment is formed as part of the handle body, and the plunger moves within this integrated space, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining effective suction control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Reduces pain associated with IUD insertion by stabilizing the cervix effectively without causing trauma, providing a cost-effective and efficient alternative to existing methods.

Implementation Method 1

retract the stopper within the compartment to increase a volume in the compartment distal of the stopper, which is used to generate a negative pressure in the compartment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

A cervix stabilizing device that uses suction to grasp and stabilize the cervix during IUD insertion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentUS20250281322A1Cervix Stabilizing Device

Publication Date: 2025.09.11 UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI

AI summary

A cervix stabilizing device includes a handle comprising a handle body and a compartment within the handle body. A plunger includes a stopper that forms a seal against an inner wall of the compartment. An actuation assembly is operatively connected to the plunger and extends outward from a sidewall of the handle body. The actuation assembly is configured to be actuated relative to the sidewall of the handle body to retract the stopper within the compartment to increase a volume in the compartment distal of the stopper, which is used to generate a negative pressure in the compartment with the cervix stabilizing device in use. A shaft is connected to a distal end of the handle body and having a lumen extending therethrough that is in communication with the compartment such that negative pressure is increased in the lumen due to the negative pressure in the compartment.