Transvaginal Probe Tactile Sensor for Vaginal Profile Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for diagnosing and characterizing pelvic organ prolapse and vaginal tissue abnormalities lack objective and quantitative measures, relying on subjective physical examinations that fail to detect early stages of abnormalities effectively.
Innovation Solution
A transvaginal probe equipped with tactile sensors to record and calculate tactile profiles of vaginal tissue elasticity and muscle strength, allowing for objective characterization and comparison against a pool of known clinical data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If subjective physical examination methods are used for diagnosing pelvic organ prolapse, then the examination process is simple and easy to perform, but the measurement precision and objectivity are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective mechanical physical examination with objective tactile sensor-based measurement systems. Tactile sensors mounted on transvaginal probes quantitatively measure tissue elasticity, muscle strength, and structural characteristics, substituting physician subjective assessment with automated sensor data collection and analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces tactile sensors as intermediary devices between the examiner and the patient's tissue. These sensors act as mediators that objectively capture tissue mechanical properties (elasticity, strength, deformation) without requiring direct subjective physician assessment, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining operational feasibility.
2Reliability
If quantitative tactile measurement systems are implemented, then the detection precision and objectivity improve, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex subjective clinical assessment processes with standardized tactile sensor measurement systems. By automating the collection of tissue mechanical properties through mounted sensors, the system achieves reliable quantitative diagnosis while reducing variability associated with different examiners and subjective judgment.
3Loss of information
If comprehensive tactile profiles are recorded during probe insertion, then the characterization of vaginal tissue elasticity and muscle strength improves, but the measurement time and procedure complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous tactile measurement throughout the entire probe insertion and examination process. Tactile sensors continuously record tissue mechanical properties as the probe moves through the vagina, capturing comprehensive data on elasticity, muscle strength, and structural characteristics without requiring separate measurement steps, thereby maintaining information completeness while optimizing examination time.
Data Source
AI summary
Transvaginal probes equipped with tactile sensors are configured for placement into vagina to record tactile response during insertion, acquire static tactile pattern from vaginal wall after the insertion is complete, and acquire dynamic tactile patterns during probe motion as well as recording dynamic tactile response during contraction of vaginal muscle. The acquired and recorded tactile data are transmitted to a data processor for composing tactile profile of vagina and visually presenting thereof on a display. Elasticity profile of vaginal tissue is calculated from the tactile response recorded from different parts of the probe during its insertion, from the static pressure pattern and from the dynamic tactile pattern. Pelvic floor muscle strength is defined as a contact pressure increase detected on fixed probe surface under the muscle contraction. Tactile profile of vagina is determined using the static tactile pattern, the elasticity profile and pelvic floor muscle strength. The data processor provides a comparative analysis of the tactile profile with a variety of vaginal tactile profiles recorded for a given population with known clinical conditions so as to assist in diagnosing a disease.