Non-Invasive Vaginal Probe for Urinary Stress Incontinence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating urinary stress incontinence are invasive and lack non-invasive, non-pharmaceutical solutions, particularly for females, necessitating a reliable and effective alternative.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a probe with a controller to apply energy, in the form of heat or cooling, to specific tissue regions in the vagina to induce remodeling of the subsurface tissue, creating a buttress to support the urethra and alleviate urinary stress incontinence, employing energy transfer sequences including pulse duration, timing, and coordinates to achieve predetermined temperatures for effective tissue remodeling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If invasive methods are used to treat urinary stress incontinence, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but patient comfort and risk profile worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces invasive mechanical surgical procedures with a non-invasive energy-based treatment system. The probe delivers controlled energy (heat or cooling) through the vaginal wall to induce tissue remodeling, eliminating the need for incisions, foreign materials, or surgical intervention while achieving the same therapeutic effect of supporting the urethra.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary energy transfer mechanism (thermal or cryogenic energy) that acts as a mediator between the treatment device and the target tissue. This intermediary allows for precise control of tissue remodeling without direct mechanical contact or invasion, enabling effective treatment through controlled energy-induced collagen denaturing and neo-collagenesis.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If non-invasive methods are used to treat urinary stress incontinence, then patient comfort is improved, but treatment effectiveness may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs precise parameter control (temperature, time, energy density) to optimize tissue remodeling. By controlling the duration and intensity of thermal or cryogenic exposure, the system achieves effective collagen denaturing and subsequent neo-collagenesis that provides adequate tissue support, thereby maintaining treatment effectiveness while avoiding invasiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes periodic energy application cycles (heating followed by cooling, or multiple pulse sequences) to enhance treatment effectiveness. This periodic action allows for controlled tissue stress and remodeling cycles that stimulate collagen synthesis and tissue strengthening without requiring invasive procedures.
3Strength
If foreign materials are used in treatment, then structural support is improved, but complexity and recovery worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the body's own tissues to provide structural support through controlled remodeling. The energy treatment stimulates the patient's own collagen to denature and re-form, creating natural tissue strengthening without requiring foreign materials, implants, or grafts. This self-service approach eliminates the complexity of managing foreign materials and reduces recovery time.
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 approach provides a non-invasive, non-surgical treatment for urinary stress incontinence by remodeling vaginal tissue to support the urethra, effectively reducing symptoms without the need for invasive procedures or foreign materials, offering a novel and efficient method for collagen denaturing and neo-collagenesis.
Implementation Method 1
The controller coupled to the probe is configured to transfer energy to the target tissue based on the at least one urinary stress incontinence treatment parameter to produce at least one of heat and cooling in a subsurface region of the target tissue
Data Source
AI summary
The systems and methods in accordance with the principles of the invention can treat urinary stress incontinence by treating target tissue in proximity to the urethra and/or bladder neck. A method for treating urinary stress incontinence in a subject can included non-invasively heating a subsurface region of a target tissue to induce remodeling of the subsurface region at the anterior and/or posterior regions of the vagina. The system can include: a controller and a probe having a distal end configured for non-invasive contact with a surface of a target tissue to transfer energy to the target tissue based on treatment parameters. The probe distal end can have two treatment surfaces spaced apart a distance equal to at least a width of a urethra.