Hinged Jaw Speculum for Stacked Storage and Expanded Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing speculums have limited access and viewing capabilities due to their fixed design, hindering effective diagnosis and treatment of body cavities, and they occupy significant storage space when not in use.
Innovation Solution
A speculum with a base portion and an elongated hinged jaw portion that can be activated to open, allowing for improved access and viewing within body cavities, and enabling multiple units to be stacked for efficient storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed solid speculum design is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the access and viewing capabilities are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The speculum is divided into a base portion and an elongated portion with hinged jaws that can move independently. The elongated portion includes first and second jaws that can be separated to provide expanded access to body cavities, while the base portion remains stationary during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The speculum transitions from a static fixed design to a dynamic hinged design where the elongated portion can be actively opened by pressing a curved portion, allowing the jaws to move from a closed to an open position to enhance viewing and access capabilities.
2Ease of operation
If multiple speculums are stored separately, then each speculum is easily accessible, but the storage area required is significant
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple speculums are designed to nest within one another, with smaller speculums fitting inside larger ones. This nesting arrangement allows multiple units to be stored in a compact vertical stack, minimizing storage footprint while maintaining easy accessibility to individual speculums.
Solution Approach 2:
The speculum design incorporates universal features that allow it to serve multiple functions: examination of different body cavities through adjustable jaw opening, and storage organization through the nesting capability. The stacking feature enables the storage system itself to be space-efficient while maintaining operational readiness.
Data Source
AI summary
A speculum having an elongated portion with two hinged jaws. In a first mode, the jaws are positioned adjacent each other and in a second mode, the jaws are spaced apart. The speculum is designed such that another identical speculum can be stacked on the original speculum.