Vaginal Dilation Device Retention Harness for Tissue Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing labor and delivery methods often result in significant trauma and injury to the pelvic floor muscles due to the rapid dilation required during vaginal delivery, leading to pelvic floor disorders and associated health issues.

Innovation Solution

The use of vaginal canal dilation devices retained by adaptive retention systems that maintain the dilation device in place during labor, applying a gradual expansive force to the vaginal tissue, allowing it to expand elastically and reduce tearing, using adapters and retention harnesses to secure the device even during patient movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If rapid dilation of the vaginal canal is performed during vaginal delivery, then the fetus can pass through the birth canal quickly, but significant trauma and injury occur to the pelvic floor muscles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of fetal passageVSAvoidtissue damage to pelvic floor

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing gradual dilation of the vaginal canal before the actual delivery process. The dilation device is inserted and gradually expanded to prepare the birth canal in advance, allowing the tissue to adapt and reduce subsequent trauma when the fetus passes through.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of dilation speed by transitioning from rapid dilation during delivery to controlled, gradual dilation using the retention system. The device maintains a slow, steady expansion rate that allows pelvic floor muscles to adapt, thereby reducing tissue damage while still achieving the necessary dilation for fetal passage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a dilation device is inserted into the vaginal canal during labor, then gradual expansion can reduce tissue damage, but the device may become dislodged during patient movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue trauma reductionVSAvoiddevice retention position

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses an adapter as an intermediary component that connects the dilation device to a retention harness. The adapter serves as a mediator between the internal dilation device and the external retention system, securing the device in place while allowing the gradual dilation process to continue uninterrupted during patient movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The retention harness acts as a counterbalancing system that opposes the forces attempting to dislodge the dilation device. By distributing the retention force across the patient's body through straps and anchors, the system counteracts the movement forces during labor, maintaining reliable device positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the vaginal canal is allowed to dilate gradually over time, then tissue elasticity is maintained and tearing is reduced, but the delivery process takes longer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemuscle tearingVSAvoiddelivery duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The dilation device performs preliminary action by gradually preparing the vaginal canal and pelvic floor muscles before the actual fetal passage. This pre-dilation process allows tissue adaptation and elasticity maintenance, reducing the risk of tearing during the subsequent faster delivery phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The retention system enables continuous dilation action over an extended period, maintaining steady progress in preparing the birth canal. The device remains in place continuously, providing uninterrupted gradual expansion that maximizes tissue adaptation while minimizing disruption to the overall delivery timeline.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 solution effectively reduces tissue damage and maintains the vaginal canal's elasticity, minimizing the risk of pelvic floor disorders by allowing controlled dilation, thus facilitating safer and more comfortable childbirth.

Implementation Method 1

The retention harness restricts the adapter from moving proximally away from the birth canal of the patient

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

having a section that traverses the thigh of the patient at a location superior the pubic arch of the patient

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical constraint:

Implementation Method 3

applying a gradual expansive force to the vaginal tissue, allowing it to expand elastically and reduce tearing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20250204955A1Therapeutic devices and methods for reducing injury during arising from labor and delivery

Publication Date: 2025.06.26 MATERNA MEDICAL INC

AI summary

The systems, devices and methods to reduce trauma and injury to tissue during labor and delivery. In particular, the systems and methods relate to devices that retain dilation support devices, dilation devices, in place in the vaginal canal during the certain stages of labor. These devices retain the dilation device in the vaginal canal at therapeutically effective locations and maintain the dilation device in such positions for periods of time sufficiently long to allow the dilation device to have a therapeutic effect.