SILCS Diaphragm
PATH

Solution Overview & Benefits
The SILCS diaphragm is a single-size contraceptive barrier designed to fit a broad range of women. PATH led a usercentered design process across multiple sites and countries involving input from women, their partners, and providers. This feedback resulted in an innovative design that is easy and comfortable to use. PATH developed SILCS to expand women’s options for nonhormonal protection.
The SILCS design features, like the contoured shape and patented spring technology, allow for one size of diaphragm to fit most women and overcomes issues that have limited broad use of earlier diaphragms. This means the product could be provided over the counter, and with minimal clinical support where allowed by regulatory approval and service delivery guidelines. This is especially important since provider time and resources in developing countries are limited.
History & Development
The SILCS Diaphragm design was patented by PATH in 1998.
PATHS's mission is to advance health equity through innovation and partnerships.
PATH developed an ID adapter in partnership with SID Technologies LLC, advancing it forward from the initial concept stage through the manufacture of clinic-ready devices.
As part of this effort, we modified and tested successive design prototypes, incorporating feedback from health care workers in the United States and India.
The design was transferred to commercial partner West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc., which is working with a syringe manufacturer (Helm Medical) on regulatory clearance, manufacturing, and distribution.
Clinical trials and pilot studies have demonstrated safety, efficacy, usability, and health care worker preference for the ID adapter for fIPV, and WHO has purchased a supply of 4 million devices for use by countries interested in introducing fractional dose delivery.
Availability
- Publicly available: yes
- Countries where available: Worldwide
- Price range (USD): Contact supplier for quote
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