Capillaroscopy Device with Integral Ergonomic Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current capillaroscopy devices face challenges in maintaining image quality due to patient movement during examinations, especially when patients with finger-related diseases experience pain and difficulty extending their fingers, requiring repeated tests for accurate diagnostics.

Innovation Solution

An examination device with an integral support system for the body zone being examined, featuring an ergonomic shape and adjustable arm connection to the microscope, ensuring that any movement is transmitted to the microscope, thus stabilizing the image quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the patient rests the hand on a base plate-like support, then the examination can be performed, but image quality deteriorates when the finger or hand moves during examination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of examinationVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The support and microscope are merged into a single integral unit, allowing the support to be positioned immediately beneath the microscope objective. This integration ensures that when the patient's finger moves on the support, the movement is directly transmitted to the microscope, maintaining consistent imaging conditions and preventing image quality deterioration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The support features a spherical or semi-spherical shape that conforms to the natural curvature of the patient's finger. This ergonomic design allows the finger to rest comfortably in a natural position without requiring complete extension, reducing movement and pain while maintaining stable imaging conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the patient cannot extend fingers completely due to disease, then pain is reduced, but image quality decreases due to movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepatient painVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The spherical support surface accommodates the finger in a naturally curved position, eliminating the need for complete finger extension. This allows patients with finger-related diseases to remain in a comfortable, pain-free position while the integral connection ensures their natural movements are transmitted to the microscope, maintaining image quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The support geometry is changed from a flat base plate to a spherical/semi-spherical shape, fundamentally altering how the finger contacts and moves on the support. This parameter change enables pain-free examination positions while maintaining stable imaging through the integral connection mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If a base plate-like support is used, then the device structure is simple, but repeated examinations are needed due to poor image quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoidexamination efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the support with the microscope into a single unit, the patent achieves stable imaging without adding significant structural complexity. The integral design eliminates the need for separate support and imaging systems, maintaining simplicity while preventing the need for repeated examinations due to movement artifacts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The spherical support shape is a simple geometric form that provides ergonomic benefits and stable finger positioning. This straightforward geometric solution reduces the need for complex adjustment mechanisms while improving examination stability and reducing the need for repeated tests.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP2317361A1Capilaroscopy device
Publication Date: 2011.05.04 BESOLI MINGUELA GLORIA
  • EP2317361A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2317361A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2317361A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The examination device for capillaroscopy of the present invention comprises a microscope (1) and a light that lights a zone of the body (2) to examine said zone, and it is characterised in that the device also comprises a support (3) for said zone of the body to be explored, said support (3) being integral with said microscope (1). Said support (3) has an ergonomic shape according to the zone of the body (2) to be examined. It permits that any movement of the zone of the body to examine is transmitted to said microscope through the support, so that the quality of the image obtained of the zone to be examined is not affected by these movements.