Tiltable Cervical Seal for Angled Os Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for sealing the cervical os during medical procedures, such as tissue ablation, often fail to provide a hermetic seal, especially when the external os is angled or the cervix lacks firmness, leading to inaccurate pressure readings and potential perforations.
Innovation Solution
A device with a support structure and a tiltable or inflatable seal that can conform to the shape of the cervical opening, providing a secure seal regardless of the angle or firmness of the cervix, including a seal with a tapered portion and a vacuum port for enhanced sealing capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional sealing device is used, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot provide a hermetic seal when the external os is angled or the cervix lacks firmness
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is made tiltable relative to the support structure, allowing it to dynamically adjust its angle to match the cervical os orientation. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the seal to maintain effective contact with the tissue regardless of the os angle, resolving the contradiction between sealing reliability and device complexity by introducing a simple rotational degree of freedom rather than complex adaptive mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The seal's orientation parameter can be changed to match the cervical os angle. By allowing the seal to rotate or tilt to different angles, the device adapts to varying cervical configurations without requiring complex restructuring, thereby improving sealing reliability while maintaining relatively simple device architecture
2Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional sealing device is used, then the device is easy to operate, but it cannot adapt to angled cervical os or soft cervix conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The tiltable seal provides passive adaptability through its ability to rotate and conform to the natural angle of the cervical os. This dynamic feature allows the device to automatically adapt to different cervical configurations without requiring complex manual adjustment procedures, thus improving adaptability while preserving ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The seal automatically adjusts its orientation to match the cervical os angle through its tiltable mechanism, effectively self-adapting to the anatomical configuration. This self-adjusting capability eliminates the need for complex manual positioning procedures, enhancing adaptability across different cervical types while maintaining operational simplicity
3Adaptability or versatility
If the seal is made tiltable, then it can adapt to angled cervical os, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tiltable seal introduces a single rotational degree of freedom that allows adaptation to angled cervical os. This minimal dynamic element provides the necessary adaptability without substantially increasing device complexity, as it involves only a simple hinge or pivot mechanism rather than complex multi-component systems
Solution Approach 2:
The seal's angular parameter can be varied to match the cervical os orientation. By changing only the orientation parameter through a simple tilting mechanism, the device achieves adaptability to angled os while avoiding the need for complex reconfigurable structures, thus balancing adaptability improvement with acceptable device complexity
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 device effectively seals the cervical opening, allowing for accurate pressure detection and preventing fluid leakage, thereby ensuring safe and reliable medical procedures by adapting to various cervical configurations.
Implementation Method 1
a bellow coupled to the support structure, wherein the bellow has a first end for abutting against tissue next to the cervical opening
Implementation Method 2
a member coupled to the support structure, wherein the member is inflatable to create a seal for abutting against cervical tissue
Implementation Method 3
a seal having a tapered portion for inserting into the cervical opening, and a cover portion for abutting against external tissue of the cervical opening
Implementation Method 4
a seal having a surface for contacting tissue next to the cervical opening, an opening formed on the surface of the seal, and a vacuum port, wherein the opening is in fluid communication with the vacuum port
Data Source
AI summary
A device for sealing a cervical opening includes a support structure, and a seal coupled to the support structure, the seal having a surface for abutting against tissue next to the cervical opening, wherein the seal is tiltable relative to the support structure. A device for sealing a cervical opening includes a support structure, and a member coupled to the support structure, wherein the member is inflatable to create a seal for abutting against cervical tissue. A device for sealing a cervical opening includes a seal having a surface for contacting tissue next to the cervical opening, an opening formed on the surface of the seal, and a vacuum port, wherein the opening is in fluid communication with the vacuum port.