Lubricant Suppository Shell Degradation for Internal Surface Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lubrication methods fail to adequately lubricate hard-to-reach regions of body cavities, such as the anus and vagina, as conventional external application often misses these areas.
Innovation Solution
A degradable suppository with a shell containing a lubricant is designed to be inserted into a body cavity, where the shell degrades upon exposure to environmental conditions like heat and pressure, releasing the lubricant to coat internal surfaces effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If lubricant is applied externally to the body cavity, then the application process is simple and quick, but the lubricant cannot reach deeper regions of the body cavity
Solution Approach 1:
The lubricant is nested inside a degradable shell (suppository) that can be inserted into the body cavity. The shell contains the lubricant in a concentrated form and delivers it to the target location, enabling deep region coverage while maintaining simple application through single-insertion delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from external surface application to internal cavity delivery by inserting the suppository into the body cavity. This spatial dimension change allows the lubricant to reach deeper regions that are inaccessible to external application methods
2Area of stationary object
If a degradable shell is used to deliver lubricant to deep regions, then coverage of hard-to-reach areas is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The shell material properties are designed to change in response to body cavity conditions (temperature, moisture, pH). The degradation rate and lubricant release are controlled by selecting materials and formulations that respond to specific physiological parameters, enabling targeted delivery without complex mechanical structures
Solution Approach 2:
The suppository system is self-activating within the body cavity. The shell automatically degrades in response to physiological conditions, and the lubricant is automatically released and distributed without requiring external control mechanisms, power sources, or complex actuation systems
3Productivity
If the shell degrades quickly upon exposure to environment, then lubricant release is rapid, but lubricant may be released before insertion into the body cavity
Solution Approach 1:
The shell is designed with different properties at different stages: it remains stable during storage and insertion, then degrades rapidly once inside the body cavity. This spatial and temporal differentiation of degradation behavior ensures lubricant is released at the correct location and time, preventing premature release while enabling rapid action when needed
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 suppository ensures thorough lubrication of body cavity surfaces, including hard-to-reach areas, by controlled degradation and release of lubricant, facilitating medical or pleasure-based activities with reduced irritation.
Implementation Method 1
The shell may be prone to degradation such that a rate of degradation thereof increases after exposure to a certain environment, like inside a body cavity
Data Source
Figure 1~6
AI summary
Disclosed are suppositories and methods of use thereof for lubricating an internal surface of a body cavity. A suppository may be composed of a shell defining an internal volume and a lubricant at least partially occupying the internal volume. The shell may be prone to degrade in that a rate of degradation thereof may increase when the suppository is in a certain condition, such as being exposed to an external environment or being positioned inside the body cavity. Once sufficient degradation of the shell has occurred while the suppository is inside the body cavity, the lubricant may be released and applied onto an internal surface of the body cavity. Medical procedures or pleasurable activities related to the body cavity may then be performed which rely upon or are aided in part by the lubrication of the body cavity's internal surface.