DEVELOPMENT OF A VAGINAL EDUCATOR THROUGH ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING PROCESS (3D PRINTING)

Abstract

Introduction: The use of vaginal educators is one of the ways of using kinesiotherapy to treat the pelvic floor, working the muscles actively increasing muscular endurance. Thus, these devices have demonstrated great importance in the training of the pelvic floor muscles because it allows the monitoring of the movements of the inner walls of the vagina providing feedback to the professional and the patient himself. Access to this type of device is reduced and for this reason we have sought a way to develop a device that is differentiated and easy to access through the additive manufacturing process (3D Printing), which allows the creation of precise objects, in less time and with less cost. Objective: To develop a vaginal educator through the Additive Manufacturing (MA) process. Methodology: The device will be developed from CAD software modeling and printed through a 3D printer MA process that uses the lactic polyacid (PLA) as the raw material. Results: The conception of this disposition will be made from studies in an already existing model of vaginal educator. Therefore, a new designer of vaginal educator will be developed, aiming at a better coupling of this in the vagina, in order to provide a sensorial response of the perineal region of the patient. After modeling, the device will be routed to a 3D printing station and printed accurately as provided by the MA technology. Conclusion: The creation of this device through the Additive Manufacturing process gives a new perspective to the treatments of pelvic floor dysfunctions, since this can be produced with innovative designer, in small scales, immediately and with reduced cost.