Adjustable Anoscope Dilator With Elastomeric Stop Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional anoscopes have a fixed dilator length, limiting their adaptability to different patient needs and surgical procedures, and are not highly versatile or simple to produce and use.
Innovation Solution
An anoscope design featuring a base body with a fixed and movable part, where the dilator is adjustable in length using a ring-shaped stop element made of elastomeric material, allowing for radial interference and preset force movement, and a positioning ring with a reference element for angular alignment, enabling flexible positioning and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-length dilator is used in the anoscope, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the adaptability to different patient needs and surgical procedures is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The dilator is designed with a movable stop element that can be positioned at different locations along the dilator body, transforming the fixed-length structure into an adjustable one. This allows the anoscope to adapt to different patient anatomies and surgical requirements while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
The dilator is segmented into functional zones: a tapered distal end for insertion, a cylindrical body for dilation, and a proximal section with the adjustable stop element. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function optimally while contributing to the overall versatility of the device
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-length dilator is used in the anoscope, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the device cannot be adapted to different operating requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable stop element provides dynamic length adjustment capability without requiring multiple different dilator sizes to be manufactured. A single dilator design can be configured for different operating lengths, simplifying manufacturing inventory while increasing versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The stop element is pre-positioned at specific locations along the dilator body during manufacturing, allowing quick adjustment to different operating requirements without complex assembly procedures or additional manufacturing steps
3Adaptability or versatility
If the dilator projects for a preset fixed length, then the positioning is straightforward, but the anoscope cannot be adapted to different surgical procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The stop element can be moved to different positions along the dilator body and secured, providing dynamic adjustment of the dilator projection length. This maintains ease of positioning through simple mechanical adjustment while enabling adaptation to various surgical procedures
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the dilator body are designed with specific properties: the distal tapered section for smooth insertion, the mid-section for optimal dilation, and the proximal section with the stop element for adjustable positioning. Each local region is optimized for its specific function
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The anoscope is highly versatile and easy to produce, effectively adaptable to various surgical needs, particularly in transanal haemorrhoidal deartelization procedures, with improved ease of use and effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
The stop element is movable on the body of the dilator along the axis A and is stoppable selectively in any one of a plurality of operating positions on the body, so as to adjust the position of the anoscope
Implementation Method 2
The stop element is for example made of elastomeric material, in particular silicone, and is set around the body of the dilator and is mechanically coupled to the body with radial interference
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
AI summary
An anoscope (1) comprises a hollow base body (2), which extends along an axis (A) between a front end (3) and a rear end (4) and has a through internal longitudinal cavity (6) between the ends (3, 4); and a dilator (5), having a shape elongated longitudinally along the axis (A) and such as to be insertable in a removable manner in the cavity (6) and to project axially from the ends (3, 4); the anoscope (1) being characterised by comprising a position adjustment device (30) for adjusting the position of the dilator (5) inside the cavity(6).