Vaginal Cup Device for Sperm Collection and Migration
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Solution Overview
Problem
A significant portion of sperm disperses throughout the vaginal wall after intercourse and fails to reach the cervix, reducing the chances of conception due to gravity and lack of assistance in migration.
Innovation Solution
A vaginal device with a cup-shaped structure and one-way valve is inserted near the cervix to collect and guide sperm towards the cervix and uterus, utilizing a textured flexible material and medical-grade plastic to enhance sperm motility and positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If no device is used, then the vaginal canal remains open and natural, but sperm disperses throughout the vaginal wall and fails to reach the cervix
Solution Approach 1:
The cup-shaped device acts as an intermediary structure inserted into the vaginal canal to collect and concentrate dispersed sperm. The device's interior surface captures sperm that would otherwise be lost on the vaginal wall, and the cup structure serves as a mediator to transport them toward the cervix, directly addressing the sperm loss problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes the physical parameters of the vaginal environment by introducing a cup-shaped structure that modifies sperm distribution patterns. By creating a concentrated collection zone within the cup and using the one-way valve to control flow direction, the device transforms the dispersed sperm population into a concentrated stream directed toward the cervix.
2Reliability
If a device is inserted to collect sperm, then sperm migration is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into distinct functional components: a cup-shaped collection structure and a separate one-way valve mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently - the cup collects and concentrates sperm while the valve controls directional flow - simplifying the overall design while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The one-way valve is extracted as a separate, identifiable component that can be independently optimized and manufactured. By taking out the valve function from the cup structure, the design allows for specialized valve mechanisms (such as diode-type valves) to be integrated, improving sperm migration control without complicating the cup's collection function.
3Ease of operation
If the cup structure is made flexible to conform to vaginal walls, then comfort and positioning are improved, but manufacturing precision becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cup structure is designed as a flexible shell that can conform to the vaginal canal's natural contours. This flexibility allows the device to adapt to individual anatomical variations, improving comfort and ensuring proper positioning without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms. The flexible material maintains structural integrity while accommodating shape variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes composite material properties combining flexibility for anatomical adaptation with sufficient structural rigidity to maintain cup shape and support the one-way valve mechanism. This composite approach allows the cup to be both formable to vaginal walls and manufacturable with consistent dimensions for reliable sperm collection.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for enhancing the chance of conception is disclosed.