Floating Innerformer Seal for Medical Diagnostic Instrument
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior art otoscopes suffer from leaks due to poor seals between the viewing lens and the innerformer, leading to inadequate pressurization and potential injury to the ear drum, which can be caused by manufacturing defects, tolerance issues, and environmental changes, and existing solutions like high tolerancing and elastomeric seals are costly and prone to failure.
Innovation Solution
A diagnostic instrument design featuring a cushion member between the innerformer and the housing, with a lens tab that engages with a tab holder to create a seal, allowing the innerformer to 'float' and maintain pressure, and incorporating a light source such as an LED integrated within the instrument head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If high tolerances are used to manufacture the viewing lens and innerformer sealing surfaces, then the seal quality improves, but the manufacturing cost increases and component waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flexible seal member as an intermediary element between the viewing lens and innerformer. This seal member compensates for manufacturing tolerances and surface imperfections without requiring ultra-precise manufacturing of the mating surfaces. The flexible material adapts to slight variations in geometry, maintaining an effective seal at lower manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the sealing interface from rigid flat-to-flat contact to flexible conformal contact. By using a flexible seal member that can deform to match the mating surfaces, the system tolerates variations in geometric parameters while maintaining sealing effectiveness, thereby reducing manufacturing precision requirements.
2Reliability
If elastomeric sealing members are used to improve the seal, then sealing reliability improves, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible seal member that can be integrated into the existing instrument head structure. This thin flexible element provides effective sealing without requiring complex multi-component assemblies. The flexible material conformally contacts the mating surfaces, providing reliable sealing with minimal additional complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the viewing lens is rigidly fixed to prevent movement, then seal stability improves, but the instrument vulnerability to impact decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a cushioning element that absorbs impact forces before they can damage the sealing interface. This cushioning mechanism protects the fragile seal and internal components from shock and impact loads while allowing the viewing lens to remain properly positioned during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows the viewing lens to have controlled movement capability rather than rigid fixation. The lens can pivot or move within limits to accommodate impact forces and thermal expansion, while the flexible seal member maintains sealing effectiveness throughout the range of motion, balancing stability with protection.
4Reliability
If the innerformer is rigidly fixed to maintain seal contact, then sealing effectiveness improves, but the ability to withstand impact forces decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a cushioning element that absorbs impact forces before they can damage the sealing interface. This cushioning mechanism protects the fragile seal and internal components from shock and impact loads while allowing the viewing lens to remain properly positioned during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the rigidity parameter of the innerformer or its mounting mechanism to provide controlled flexibility. This allows the innerformer to absorb impact forces through elastic deformation while maintaining sufficient contact pressure with the sealing surface to prevent leaks during normal operation.
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
The solution effectively maintains a seal during pneumatic otoscopy, ensuring adequate pressurization and reducing the risk of ear drum injury, while being cost-effective and durable, capable of maintaining a seal to at least 1 inch of H2O pressure.
Implementation Method 1
a cushion member disposed between the innerformer and the interior of the housing... The cushion member creates a bias that maintains the seal between the innerformer and the viewing lens
Implementation Method 2
incorporating a light source such as an LED integrated within the instrument head
Data Source
AI summary
A handheld diagnostic instrument includes a handle and an instrument head associated with the handle. An innerformer is disposed in an inner cavity of the instrument head in which the instrument head further includes a tab holder. A cushion member is disposed within the housing between the innerformer and the interior of the instrument head. Further, a lens is attached to the instrument head, the lens including a lens tab. A seal is formed between the lens and the innerformer when the lens tab is engaged with the tab holder wherein the cushion member acts to bias the innerformer to maintain the defined seal.