Vaginal Energy Delivery for Lasting Atrophy Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices and methods fail to provide a lasting benefit for women experiencing vaginal atrophy or diminished sexual function, particularly in estrogen-deficient women, by not effectively increasing vaginal lubrication, elasticity, and resilience.
Innovation Solution
Applying energy, such as ultrasound, electrical, or thermal energy, directly to the vaginal tissue to increase blood flow, lubrication, and tissue resilience, using devices that engage externally or internally to the vagina, with feedback mechanisms for safe and effective treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional devices and methods are used to treat vaginal atrophy, then sexual pleasure or temporary relief may be provided, but lasting benefit is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs preliminary diagnostic assessment of vaginal tissue health parameters (blood flow, lubrication, elasticity, resilience) before treatment, allowing customization of therapy parameters to address specific tissue deficiencies and achieve lasting improvement rather than temporary relief
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies multiple types of energy (ultrasound, electrical, thermal, RF, light-based) with adjustable parameters to fundamentally change tissue properties by increasing blood flow, lubrication, elasticity and resilience, thereby achieving reliable long-term treatment of vaginal atrophy
2Reliability
If energy is applied to increase vaginal blood flow and tissue health, then lasting improvement in lubrication and elasticity is achieved, but treatment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device integrates multiple energy delivery mechanisms (ultrasound transducers, electrical stimulation electrodes, thermal heating elements, RF generators, light-based sources) into a single multi-functional platform that can address various aspects of vaginal tissue health through different energy modalities
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor tissue response parameters (blood flow, temperature, electrical properties) and use this feedback to automatically adjust energy delivery parameters, simplifying operation while maintaining reliable tissue improvement
3Productivity
If multiple types of energy are applied to vaginal tissue, then comprehensive treatment of atrophy is achieved, but safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors continuously monitor tissue temperature, blood flow, and other physiological parameters during energy application, providing real-time feedback that automatically adjusts or terminates energy delivery when safety thresholds are approached, thereby enabling comprehensive treatment while minimizing tissue damage risk
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates safety mechanisms and controlled energy delivery protocols that prevent excessive energy accumulation in tissue before harmful effects can occur, using staged energy application and real-time monitoring to cushion against potential tissue damage
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 applied energy increases vaginal blood flow and tissue health, providing lasting benefits in lubrication and elasticity, improving sexual function and overall vaginal health.
Implementation Method 1
The applied energy may be chemical energy, electrical energy, ultrasound energy, RF energy, suction, photonic energy, electromagnetic radiation or light-based (e.g., pulsed or continuous laser)
Implementation Method 2
The applied energy may be chemical energy, electrical energy, ultrasound energy, RF energy, suction, photonic energy, electromagnetic radiation or light-based (e.g., pulsed or continuous laser)
Implementation Method 3
The applied energy may be chemical energy, electrical energy, ultrasound energy, RF energy, suction, photonic energy, electromagnetic radiation or light-based (e.g., pulsed or continuous laser)
Data Source
AI summary
A method of treating vaginal tissue atrophy in a female subject, the method including the steps of engaging an energy delivery element with tissue in or around the subject's vagina; applying energy to the tissue from the energy delivery element; and increasing blood flow to internal vaginal tissue to an increased level above a baseline level of blood flow to the internal vaginal tissue, the increased level of blood flow to the internal vaginal tissue persisting after the applying step ceases. The invention also provides devices for performing this therapy.