Femiset: User-friendly defecation device for patients with perineal descent
Femiset is a device designed to facilitate defecation in patients suffering from perineal descent, a pelvic floor disorder in which the perineum descends below the bony outlet of the pelvis when straining, causing symptoms such as stool evacuation difficulties.
Situation before
Current treatment options for perineal descent are limited and highlight significant gaps. Patients may find relief from pelvic floor physiotherapy, the use of laxatives or surgery. However, these approaches do not consistently alleviate symptoms and, in some cases, may even worsen them. As many patients remain symptomatic, they often resort to manual interventions to manage stool evacuation. However, manual pelvic floor support can be challenging due to physical, psychological, or hygienic barriers.
Technology
A device (Femiset) was developed to provide perineal support in a more easy, hygienic and comfortable way. Femiset is a foldable device that has an operational configuration (unfolded) and a storage configuration (folded). In its operational configuration, the tool is designed to be placed on the front of the toilet seat between the patient’s legs.
The joint is configured for rolling contact with the toilet seat and, in response to force applied to the handle by the patient, causes an upward movement of the pressure application area toward the perineum, thereby correcting excessive descent of the perineum. Patients can easily vary the pressure towards the perineum by varying the force on the handle. The handle is located in front of the patient, making it accessible even for elderly or mobility-impaired patients. The device is washable and easy to take with you due to its foldable nature.
Femiset is currently at the high-end prototype stage of development. A series of 20 devices has been manufactured for clinical evaluation. In Q3 of 2025, a clinical investigation will be performed in which 20 patients will test the device in their home environment for four weeks. The device is advancing towards Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5.
IP position
An international patent application with application number PCT/EP2025/055323 was filed on February 27, 2025.
Partners we search for
- Partners interested in licensing our technology
- Venture builders and spin-off studios to help launch and scale a company
- Distributors interested in expanding their product portfolio
About the researchers/research group
Femiset is the results of a multidisciplinary collaboration between the:
- Antwerp Design Factory, the pre-incubation unit of the Product Development Research Group of the University of Antwerp
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences of the University of Antwerp
- Antwerp University Hospital (UZA)
This collaboration combines clinical expertise and medical research insights of abdominal surgeons and pelvic floor specialists (Dr. Sylvie Van den Broeck, Prof. Dr. Niels Komen, Prof. Dr. Alexandra Vermandel, Joëlle Roenen) with design based and user experience driven research (from Prof. Dr. Lukas Van Campenhout, Sien Heirbaut and Kaat Robberechts) and has already led to several medical device innovations in various clinical fields (nephrology, urology, gastro-enterology).
More information
University of Antwerp
Valorisation Office
Middelheimlaan 1
2020 Antwerpen