Composite Anoscope Segmented Design for Atraumatic Insertion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing anoscope designs are traumatic to insert due to lamellar protrusions, lack stable positioning, and fail to accurately determine suture depth and circumferential extension during ano-rectal surgery, relying heavily on surgeon skill.

Innovation Solution

A composite anoscope with three conic frustum shaped components forming a smooth, compact external surface for atraumatic insertion, featuring internal and external markers for precise positioning, and lamellar protrusions that support tissues without damage, allowing for stable fixation and accurate suture placement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If lamellar protrusions are used in the anoscope structure, then suturing capability for hemorrhoids is enabled, but tissue damage occurs during insertion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuturing capabilityVSAvoidtissue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The anoscope is divided into three separate conic frustum components that can be assembled together. The internal component with lamellar protrusions is inserted into the anoscope, which is then inserted into the external component. This segmentation allows the protrusions to be enclosed within a smooth external surface, enabling suturing capability while preventing tissue damage during insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The three components are nested within each other in a concentric arrangement. The internal component is inserted into the anoscope, which is inserted into the external component, forming a compact assembly. This nesting allows the lamellar protrusions to be protected within the internal component while maintaining access for surgical functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a composite anoscope with multiple components is used, then surgical functionality is enhanced, but stable positioning is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical functionalityVSAvoidpositioning stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The external component is designed with a flange that can be dynamically adjusted to engage with the perianal skin. The flange can be positioned at different depths and secured with sutures, allowing the anoscope to adapt to various anatomical conditions while maintaining stable positioning during surgery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The flange acts as an intermediary structure between the anoscope components and the perianal skin. It provides a stable base for fixation while allowing the internal components to remain accessible for surgical operations. The flange mediates between the need for stability and the need for surgical access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If the anoscope lacks marking systems, then device simplicity is maintained, but precise determination of suture depth and circumferential extension is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice simplicityVSAvoidsuture depth and extension determination

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The internal surface of the anoscope is provided with longitudinal and circumferential markers that provide visual reference during surgery. These markers allow the surgeon to precisely determine the depth and circumferential extension of sutures without adding complex measurement mechanisms, maintaining simplicity while improving precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

4Object-affected harmful factors

If a smooth external surface is used, then atraumatic insertion is achieved, but structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveatraumatic insertionVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The anoscope is segmented into three conic frustum components with progressively smaller diameters. This segmentation allows each component to have a smooth external surface for atraumatic insertion while the internal components provide the necessary structural features for surgical functions. The conic frustum geometry naturally creates a tapering profile that facilitates smooth insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8337401B2Anoscope for ano-rectal diagnostic and surgery

Publication Date: 2012.12.25 COVIDIEN AG

AI summary

A composite anoscope for ano-rectal diagnostic and surgery, wherein the anoscope (2) also comprises an internal component (1), to be inserted therein, and a suitably shorter external component (3), ending with a conic frustum mantle (18), wherein the anoscope (2) is to be inserted. The three components (1, 2, 3) are all conic frustum shaped hollow bodies having circular cross-section. The internal component (1), when inserted in the anoscope (2), forms therewith a single body having a compact and smooth external surface and an ogival tip. The external component (3) is provided close to its mouth with slotted wings (19, 20), to be fixed to the perianal skin for securing the whole composite anoscope during the diagnostic and surgical operations.