Cavity Inspection Dilator With Reusable Camera And Lighting Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inspection devices for cavities are cumbersome, costly, and unsustainable, lacking practicality and functionality due to the need for manual coupling of external supports and non-reusable illuminators, which hinder comprehensive mucous membrane inspection and image acquisition.
Innovation Solution
A device with a dilator body and introducer body, featuring a gripping element and a support element that externally supports an inspection group, allowing for reusable acquisition and lighting devices, facilitated positioning, and adjustable viewing options without requiring manual coupling at the proximal opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an illuminator is arranged inside the dilator body, then the inspection can be performed without manual coupling, but the device becomes costly and unsustainable due to disposable requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into disposable and reusable parts. The dilator body and introducer body are disposable, while the illuminator and camera are reusable external components. This segmentation allows the illuminator to be positioned inside the dilator body during use without requiring the entire assembly to be disposable, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and sustainability.
Solution Approach 2:
The introducer body is nested inside the dilator body during insertion, and both are nested within the packaging. The external illuminator is positioned to illuminate through the distal opening. This nesting arrangement allows the illuminator to function as if inside the dilator body while remaining externally mounted and reusable, solving the contradiction between operational ease and sustainability.
2Ease of operation
If external supports are manually coupled at the proximal opening, then the inspection device can be assembled, but the procedure becomes cumbersome and uncomfortable for the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The illuminator and camera are pre-positioned outside the dilator body before insertion. The dilator body with introducer body is pre-assembled as a unit for insertion. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for manual coupling of external supports at the proximal opening during the procedure, reducing both operational complexity and patient discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The illuminator and camera are extracted from the disposable dilator body assembly and positioned as separate reusable external components. This extraction eliminates the requirement for manual coupling at the proximal opening while maintaining the functionality of the inspection system, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If the inspection group is positioned inside the dilator body, then comprehensive mucous membrane inspection is enabled, but the operator cannot have an overall view of the mucous membrane
Solution Approach 1:
The camera is positioned to capture images from within the cavity while the illuminator is positioned externally to provide overall illumination. This spatial arrangement in different dimensions allows both comprehensive inspection of the mucous membrane and an overall view capability, resolving the contradiction between inspection completeness and operational ease.
Data Source
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AI summary
A device (1) for inspection of a cavity, comprising a dilator body (2) and a gripping element (4) with an elongated shape, applied or applicable to the end of the dilator body (2), arranged transversely with respect to the dilator body (2) and graspable by an operator. The device (1) comprises a support element (5), configured to define a reversible connection with an inspection group (1000), connected to the gripping element (4) and movable along the gripping element (4) towards and/or away from the dilator body (2). The inspection group (1000) comprises an acquisition device and a lighting device.