FemScope Device (UofM - Flint)
Collaborators: applied Medical Device Institute (aMDI), UofM Flint Femscope Team
Jan '21 - Mar '22
Abstract
The aMDI team was tasked by a team of nurses from UofM - Flint to develop a prototype for the Femscope device. The Femscope device intends to innovate women's health. Specifically pap-smear exams. The current approach to this exam can be very uncomfortable for women and for some, traumatic. So much so that many women avoid this exam for a long time which in turn means that they could suffer from cervical cancer without knowing.
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The goal of this device is that the whole procedure is much less invasive on the patient, and yields the same result in examining the patient's endocervical cells to analyze for cancerous cells. That way this is achieved is by replacing the current tool called the "Speculum" by a less invasive one.
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Our solution consisted of an attachment for an endoscopic camera. Instead of opening the vaginal opening to have external visualization, the camera would ideally slip in as a tampon would, with a screen to allow the nurse practitioner to visualize the vaginal cavity while being able to collect cells for testing.
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The device consisted of three parts. The endoscopic camera, a bristled camera cover for cell collection, and an outer cover to avoid sample contamination during insertion or extraction. Each of these had to be carefully considered during the design process, as one of the goals was minimal footprint to maximize patient comfort.
Project Requirement
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Deliver a working prototype of the device to receive more funding.
Outcomes
Through two-phases of this project, I was able to learn many things about women's health. The complexity and challenges of deploying a medical device was more than I anticipated, but these are challenges worth-while. I am hopeful for this device, in that it will some day deliver in its promise of improving women's health.
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Check out some articles written on this project below!
Challenges
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Some of the biggest challenges were the material requirements for the project. Given the working environment of this device multiple design iterations were designed. Some of these revolved around material selection. Part of our material selection criteria for the bristle attachment required both a pliable/flexible material, while retaining its physical rigidity. Given this paradoxical requirement, a variety of materials where explored such that flexibility and the rigidity of the material was just right.