A bioinspired helical hydrogel scaffold with real-time sensing for enhanced precision in gynecological digital vaginal examination†

Precise diagnostic and therapeutic modalities are of utmost significance in driving forward patient care within the sphere of gynecological medicine. Bionics, involving the application of nature-inspired designs in medical apparatus, has emerged as a highly promising approach in this field. Specifically, helical architectures observed in natural organisms like vines display remarkable adaptability and mechanical strength, presenting novel perspectives for the development of ergonomic and effective gynecological examination and surgical instruments. Harnessing these insights, this study presents a helical polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) scaffold inspired by the deformability of vines. This scaffold not only integrates Janus wettability hydrogel properties to enhance tissue interaction, ensuring increased comfort and adaptability during clinical procedures, but also incorporates sensors for real-time monitoring and feedback, thereby overcoming the limitations of conventional gynecological devices that often lack such capabilities. We meticulously detail the fabrication of this helical finger scaffold, using a sandwich thermoplastic method to produce hydrogel fibers possessing shape memory, thermal responsiveness, and deformation sensing via relative resistance changes. Additionally, the study explores finger motion monitoring through surface electromyography (sEMG) signals, which advances the precision and safety of cervical palpation and related surgeries. Overall, our findings highlight the potential of these responsive and adaptable hydrogels to transform gynecological medical devices, providing a solid theoretical foundation and practical applications for future innovations in gynecological diagnostics and surgical support.