Digital Device for Body Cavity Screening Without Speculum
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for visual inspection of body cavities are subjective, costly, and require specialized equipment and training, making them inefficient and inaccessible in low-resource settings, particularly for conditions like cervical cancer where high-power lenses and electricity-dependent devices are needed.
Innovation Solution
A digital device with a probe and expandable cuff for optical and digital screening that captures images without a speculum, using a light source and angulation wires, connected to computing devices for image processing and analysis via machine learning algorithms, enabling remote guidance and follow-up care.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-power lenses and illumination are used for visual inspection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex optical-mechanical inspection systems with a digital imaging system. A camera captures images of the body cavity, and these images are processed digitally using image processing algorithms and machine learning models to detect abnormalities. This substitution of mechanical/optical systems with digital systems reduces device complexity while maintaining or improving inspection precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy (image) of the body cavity instead of relying on direct optical viewing through complex lenses. The camera captures a visual representation that can be analyzed digitally, allowing for precise abnormality detection without requiring complex high-power optical systems at the inspection site.
2Measurement precision
If specialized equipment and training are used, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-diagnosis through automated image processing and machine learning algorithms. The camera captures images, and the integrated processing system automatically analyzes them to detect abnormalities, reducing the need for specialized operator training while maintaining high diagnostic accuracy. The system essentially diagnoses itself without requiring expert human interpretation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the need for specialized human expertise with automated digital image processing and machine learning systems. The complex task of expert diagnosis is substituted with algorithms that can be operated by semiskilled personnel, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining measurement precision.
3Measurement precision
If electricity-dependent devices are used, then measurement precision is improved, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electricity-dependent imaging systems with a passive optical system. The camera and image processing components can be designed to work without active illumination or power sources during the actual inspection, enabling use in remote or low-resource settings where electricity is unavailable. Digital processing can occur after image capture, allowing the core inspection function to be electricity-independent.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters from requiring active electricity and illumination to using passive optical capture. The camera can capture images using ambient light or stored energy, and image processing can be performed offline or with minimal power, thereby improving adaptability to environments without reliable electricity while maintaining screening accuracy.
4Measurement precision
If speculum is used for body cavity inspection, then measurement precision is improved, but object-affected harmful factors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the inspection function from the speculum mechanism. Instead of using a speculum to mechanically open and visualize the body cavity, the system uses a small camera that can capture images through the natural opening. This removes the harmful mechanical intervention of the speculum while maintaining the ability to obtain clear visual data for diagnosis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical speculum system with a digital imaging system. The camera captures images of the body cavity without requiring mechanical dilation or opening of the cavity, thereby eliminating patient discomfort associated with speculum use while maintaining inspection clarity through digital image capture and processing.
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
This solution provides a cost-effective, electricity-independent, and comfortable screening method that reduces subjectivity and increases accessibility, allowing semiskilled personnel to perform accurate body cavity diagnostics with surround-view capabilities and linked follow-up care plans.
Implementation Method 1
The probe may comprise of an in-situ image capturing means with a light source for capturing images of the abnormalities
Implementation Method 2
The casing may further comprise an expandable outer cuff on the exterior of said casing, for separating the walls of a body part
Data Source
AI summary
A digital device (100) facilitates body cavity diagnosis without using a speculum. The device (100) comprises a casing (101) for enclosing a probe with additional channels (102). The additional channels (102) comprises a plurality of instruments. The probe (103) is configured for optical and digital diagnosis of abnormalities in the body cavities. The probe (103) is connected to wireless communication components for displaying captured images. The probe (103) in association with angulation wires (107) facilitates capturing the images of abnormalities along with digital image diagnosis, wherein the angulation wires (107) provides maximum field of surround-vision. The casing (101) has a transparent cap (105) configured for visualizing structure of the cavity. The casing (101) comprises an expandable outer cuff (104), for separating the walls of a body part.