Intravaginal Electrode Contact for Localized Pelvic Pain Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing treatments for pelvic pain, such as primary or secondary dysmenorrhea, are limited in effectiveness and often come with side effects, necessitating a more direct and localized approach.
Innovation Solution
An intravaginal electrical stimulation device with electrically conductive electrodes is inserted into the vaginal canal to stimulate pelvic nerves, alleviating pain through direct electrical stimulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pharmacological treatments (NSAIDs, opioids, hormonal therapies) are used to treat pelvic pain, then pain relief is achieved, but side effects and limited effectiveness occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces pharmacological treatments with electrical stimulation therapy. The electrical stimulation device uses electrical signals to directly modulate pelvic nerve activity, substituting the chemical mechanism of drugs with a physical/electrical mechanism that avoids pharmacological side effects while providing targeted pain relief.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electrical stimulation device as an intermediary between the user and the pelvic nerves. Rather than using drugs that circulate systemically, the device delivers localized electrical stimulation through vaginal insertion, acting as a direct mediator to modulate nerve activity and relieve pain without systemic side effects.
2Reliability
If surgical interventions (laparoscopy, laparotomy, hysterectomy) are used for secondary dysmenorrhea, then pain relief may be achieved, but treatment complexity and invasiveness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces invasive surgical mechanical interventions with non-invasive electrical stimulation. Instead of physically cutting or removing tissues through surgery, the device uses electrical signals to modulate nerve function, achieving pain relief without surgical complexity or invasiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical stimulation device serves as a non-invasive intermediary that can be inserted vaginally to reach pelvic nerves without requiring surgical incisions or complex surgical procedures. This intermediary approach provides effective pain management while avoiding the complexity and risks of surgical intervention.
3Ease of operation
If TENS therapy is used for pelvic pain, then pain relief is provided, but treatment localization and direct nerve stimulation are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places the electrical stimulation electrodes inside the vaginal canal, nesting the stimulation mechanism within the body's natural anatomy. This nested positioning allows the electrodes to be in direct proximity to the pelvic nerves, providing precise targeting while maintaining ease of operation through simple vaginal insertion similar to TENS application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies electrical stimulation locally at the site of pelvic nerves by positioning electrodes within the vaginal canal. This local quality approach concentrates the therapeutic effect precisely where needed, improving nerve stimulation targeting compared to external TENS therapy while maintaining operational simplicity.
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 device provides localized pain relief without side effects, reducing reliance on pharmacological treatments and improving efficacy by targeting pelvic nerves directly.
Implementation Method 1
at least a portion of the at least one electrically conductive electrode is arranged to contact the vaginal wall of the vaginal canal to electrically stimulate the at least one pelvic nerve through the vaginal wall
Data Source
AI summary
An intravaginal electrical stimulation device includes a vaginal insert and at least one electrically conductive electrode coupled to the vaginal insert. The vaginal insert is configured to be inserted into a vaginal canal of a user. With the vaginal insert inserted into the vaginal canal, at least a portion of the at least one electrically conductive electrode is arranged to contact a vaginal wall of the vaginal canal to electrically stimulate at least one pelvic nerve through the vaginal wall so that discomfort or pain associated with a pelvic condition or a procedure is alleviated.