Cervical Sampling Brush with Retractable Lateral Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cervical smear tests face challenges such as the inability to visualize the transformation zone, sample contamination, discomfort due to the use of speculums, and low attendance rates among women, particularly due to pain and embarrassment, leading to inadequate sample collection and potential health consequences.

Innovation Solution

A cervical sampling brush with a reducible width and a cervical inspection device featuring a tubular body with an expansion element and a camera, allowing for improved access and visualization of the transformation zone without a speculum, reducing discomfort and sample loss, and incorporating a folding mechanism for the brush to minimize contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If a speculum is used to visualize the cervix, then the cervix can be visualized, but patient discomfort and pain increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecervix visualizationVSAvoidpatient discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical speculum system with an optical system. A camera positioned at the distal end of the elongate member captures images of the cervix, which are then displayed on a screen for visualization. This eliminates the need for mechanical speculum insertion and opening, thereby reducing patient discomfort and pain while maintaining the ability to visualize the cervix.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If the lateral support maintains a large lateral extent, then the brush can effectively sample the transformation zone, but sample loss and contamination occur during extraction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesampling effectivenessVSAvoidsample loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The lateral support is designed to be movable relative to the elongate stem, transitioning between an extended configuration during sampling and a retracted configuration during extraction. This dynamic adjustment allows the brush to maintain effective sampling width at the cervix while minimizing contact with vaginal walls during removal, preventing sample loss and contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The lateral support is divided into multiple segments or articulated sections that can independently move or fold toward the stem. This segmentation enables the brush head to collapse into a compact form during extraction, reducing its lateral extent and preventing the bristles from contacting the vaginal walls, thereby avoiding sample contamination and loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the brush head maintains a fixed large width, then it can cover the transformation zone, but it causes discomfort during insertion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransformation zone coverageVSAvoidinsertion ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The brush head incorporates a movable lateral support that can be extended to cover the transformation zone during sampling and retracted during insertion and extraction. This dynamic capability allows the device to adapt its width to the procedural requirements, reducing discomfort during insertion while maintaining effective coverage during sampling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The lateral support can be folded or collapsed onto the elongate stem during insertion, allowing the brush to pass through the vaginal canal in a compact form. Once positioned at the cervix, the lateral support is extended to cover the transformation zone. This nesting approach minimizes insertion discomfort while ensuring adequate sampling coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS20240398222A1Cervical inspection device, methods of control thereof, and cervical sampling brush

Publication Date: 2024.12.05 LBN INNOVATIONS LTD

AI summary

A cervical inspection device (610) for performing a cervical smear test is provided. The device (610) has a tubular body (612) having a first end (614) which is engagable by an operator and a second end (616) which is insertable into a patient's vaginal canal, the tubular body (612) having a central bore (620) which extends along its longitudinal axis for receiving a cervical sampling brush (622) therethrough. There is also an expansion element (630) at or adjacent to the second end (616) of the tubular body (612) and control means operable from the first end (614) of the tubular body (612) for selectably expanding and/or contracting the expansion element (630). The expansion element (630) forms a protective region beyond the central bore (620) in an expanded condition thereof for the said cervical sampling brush (622) to move through during a cervical smear test.