Addressing a Widespread Unmet Need
Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) affects over 200 million women globally and accounts for more than half of all incontinence cases in women. It is caused by increased abdominal pressure during actions like coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercise. While not life-threatening, SUI can significantly impair quality of life, leading many women to withdraw from social, professional, and physical activities. Existing conservative treatment options are often uncomfortable, ineffective, or poorly tolerated—leaving a clear unmet need for a safer, easier solution.
The Challenge
Most current non-surgical treatments for SUI—including pelvic floor exercises, vaginal inserts, and pessaries—have low success rates and poor compliance due to discomfort, pain, or urinary tract infections. Surgical interventions, while more effective in severe cases, involve higher risk, recovery time, and patient hesitation. A minimally invasive, easy-to-use device with high patient compliance was urgently needed to improve quality of life for millions of women affected by SUI.
The Solution
A novel, handheld device introduces a small volume of gas (25–50 cc) into the bladder using a sterile, single-use applicator. The gas acts as a “shock absorber,” reducing the impact of sudden abdominal pressure on the bladder wall and effectively preventing involuntary leakage during stress events.
Designed for ease of use and high patient compliance, the device provides a minimally invasive, non-surgical alternative to existing options. Its single-use, sterile format ensures safety and hygiene while supporting regular application without discomfort or clinical supervision.
Collaboration
The concept was developed in collaboration with leading clinicians and supported by international funding to address the limitations of current SUI treatments. Early prototyping and validation were carried out jointly with experts at Singapore General Hospital, ensuring both clinical relevance and real-world applicability from the outset.
