Vaginal Copper-Inlay Contraceptive for Temporary Non-Hormonal Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current forms of contraception, particularly hormonal methods, pose significant health risks and side effects for women, and non-hormonal options like copper IUDs can cause physical complications, while barrier methods are prone to failure and require perfect use.
Innovation Solution
A non-hormonal contraceptive device made of biocompatible materials with a copper inlay is designed for vaginal insertion, offering a range of shapes and materials, including silicone, stainless steel, and natural stones, which is inserted before or during intercourse to provide contraception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hormonal contraception is used, then pregnancy prevention is effective, but health risks and side effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the harmful hormonal component from contraceptive devices while retaining the copper element that provides contraceptive effectiveness. The device uses only copper inlay without hormones, thereby removing health risks associated with hormonal contraception while maintaining pregnancy prevention capability
Solution Approach 2:
The contraceptive device is designed as a disposable single-use item that is inserted and removed within a short time frame (1-30 minutes). This eliminates the need for long-term hormonal exposure by using a temporary copper-based barrier that prevents pregnancy without causing hormonal side effects
2Reliability
If copper IUD is used, then pregnancy prevention is effective, but physical complications occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transforms the permanent copper IUD into a temporary disposable device that is inserted and removed within minutes. This short-duration exposure eliminates physical complications associated with long-term IUD presence such as perforation, displacement, and chronic inflammation, while maintaining the copper's contraceptive effect during the brief insertion period
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes the time parameter of copper exposure from long-term (IUD) to short-term (1-30 minutes), and adjusts the copper surface area (200-700 mm²) to provide sufficient contraceptive effect during the brief insertion period without causing physical damage to the reproductive system
3Object-affected harmful factors
If barrier methods are used, then no hormonal side effects occur, but reliability decreases due to perfect use requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed for self-insertion and self-removal by the user without requiring a healthcare provider. The simple design with manipulator end features enables users to correctly insert and remove the device themselves, eliminating the need for professional assistance while maintaining high reliability through proper copper exposure
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 prevents pregnancy without hormonal side effects and physical complications, enhancing intimacy and pleasure by eliminating negative impacts on reproductive and women's health.
Implementation Method 1
A non-hormonal contraceptive and method of application... The copper inlay may have an exposed surface area in a range from 200 square millimeters to 700 square millimeters... inserting the apparatus into a vaginal canal of a person. The apparatus may be inserted such that at least a portion of the copper inlay may be within the vaginal canal.
Data Source
AI summary
Implementations of the present disclosure may include a non-hormonal contraceptive, including a body formed of one or more non-porous, biocompatible materials. In some implementations, the body has a length in a range from 1 centimeter to 31 centimeters. In some implementations, the body has a width in a range from 0.5 centimeters to 10 centimeters. Various implementations may also include a copper inlay on the body, the copper inlay having an exposed surface area in a range from 200 square millimeters to 1000 square millimeters.