Vaginal Ring Removal Device With Hook And Finger Cot
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The removal of vaginal rings is often challenging and uncomfortable due to physical differences among women, making it difficult to reach and engage the ring, and conventional methods can be hygienic and health concerns, especially when the ring is positioned against the cervix or too slippery to grasp.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a one-piece closed-end finger cot with an expandable sleeve and a substantially rigid hook, where the hook extends 180 degrees and includes an enlarged knob offset from the finger cot axis, allowing for easy engagement and leverage to remove the vaginal ring without causing irritation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a finger is used to manually loop and pull the ring out, then the removal can be simple and device-free, but it is difficult to reach and engage the ring when positioned against the cervix and causes discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a removal device as an intermediary tool between the user and the vaginal ring. The device includes a finger cot portion that encloses the finger and a hook portion with an enlarged knob that engages the ring, allowing indirect manipulation that avoids direct finger contact with the vaginal cavity while still enabling ring removal
Solution Approach 2:
The removal device is divided into distinct functional segments: a finger cot portion for hygienic finger enclosure and a hook portion with an enlarged knob for ring engagement. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally - the finger cot provides hygiene and comfort while the hook provides mechanical engagement capability
2Reliability
If the finger is inserted deeper to reach the ring against the cervix, then the ring can be engaged, but comfort is reduced and hygienic concerns increase
Solution Approach 1:
The finger cot acts as a hygienic intermediary barrier between the user's finger and the vaginal environment. It encloses the finger completely, preventing direct contact with vaginal secretions and reducing infection risk while still allowing the hook portion to reach and engage the ring against the cervix
Solution Approach 2:
The removal device is designed as a disposable single-use item, typically made of latex or similar material. After one use, it is discarded, eliminating the need for cleaning and sterilization processes and ensuring hygienic conditions for each removal event
3Device complexity
If conventional removal techniques are used, then the process can be simple, but they fail to overcome difficulties when the ring is difficult to locate or too slippery to grasp
Solution Approach 1:
The hook portion features an enlarged knob with a curved, knob-like distal end that provides a larger surface area and better geometry for engaging the vaginal ring. This curved structure can more easily grasp the slippery ring material compared to a straight or angular hook, improving engagement success
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the finger cot function (hygiene and comfort) with the hook function (engagement and leverage) into a single integrated removal device. This combination ensures that the device provides both hygienic protection and effective ring engagement in one unified tool
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods for removing an intravaginal drug delivery ring are shown and described. In one embodiment, the device is an integral one-piece moisture impermeable structure that includes a closed end finger cot and a substantially rigid hook. Typically, the closed end finger cot includes a finger opening, a compression band, and an expandable sleeve. In some examples, the distal end of the hook is aligned substantially parallel to an axis of the finger cot to properly position the user's finger with the intravaginal drug delivery ring in the vaginal canal. The result is devices and methods to improve removal of intravaginal drug delivery rings and similar contraception prevention units.