Hinged Speculum With Spring-Loaded Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing speculums for opening and maintaining eyelids during ocular procedures face limitations due to the reliance on material memory for retention, which can be undermined by excessive deformation and other factors, leading to insecure positioning.
Innovation Solution
A speculum design featuring first and second arms connected by a hinge with selective rotation, and complementary elements with teeth and pointers for mechanical retention, along with a spring-loaded mechanism to enhance retentive force and allow adjustable positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If material memory is relied upon to provide retentive force, then the speculum can be formed of plastic material with simple structure, but excessive deformation and other factors may undermine the material's inherent memory, leading to insecure retention
Solution Approach 1:
The speculum is divided into two separate arms (first arm and second arm) that can be independently positioned and retained. Each arm has its own channel and retention elements, allowing independent adjustment and securing of each eyelid, thereby improving overall retention reliability while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
A hinge mechanism serves as an intermediary component connecting the first and second arms, enabling selective rotation and position adjustment. The hinge acts as a mechanical mediator that provides controlled movement and stable retention without relying solely on material memory, resolving the contradiction between simple construction and secure retention
2Adaptability or versatility
If a hinge connection with selective rotation is introduced, then adjustable positioning capability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional mechanical components
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge connection enables dynamic adjustment of the speculum arms to various angular positions, allowing the device to adapt to different eyelid configurations and patient anatomies. This dynamic capability provides versatile positioning while the hinge's simple mechanical design minimizes added complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism combines multiple functions into a single component: it connects the two arms, enables selective rotation, provides positional adjustment, and maintains structural integrity. By merging these functions into one element, the design achieves high adaptability without proportionally increasing device complexity
3Force
If interfering interengagement between retention elements is used to limit rotation, then retention force is enhanced, but the ease of operation decreases due to increased friction and difficulty in adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The retention elements (protrusions and recesses) are designed with specific geometric parameters that allow easy engagement and disengagement. The shape, size, and orientation of these elements are optimized to provide strong retention force when engaged while requiring minimal force for adjustment, resolving the contradiction between retention strength and operational ease
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 mechanical features provide secure and adjustable retention of eyelid position, overcoming the limitations of material memory and ensuring effective eyelid opening and maintenance during procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a connecting portion extending between, and connecting, the first and second portions. The first portion is displaceable away from the second portion about the connecting portion
Implementation Method 2
the first portion acts as a spring-loaded hinge which applies not only biasing force to the second element for retention
Data Source
AI summary
A speculum is provided herein which includes first and second arms, connected by a hinge, each having a channel formed thereon adapted to the shape of an eyelid. First and second elements are respectively located on the first and second arms configured to cooperatively retain the first and second arms in select rotational positions. A slot is defined in the second arm to partially separate first and second portions of the second arm with the first portion being displaceable away from the second portion. The second element is located on the first portion. Advantageously, with this arrangement, the first portion acts as a spring-loaded hinge which applies not only biasing force to the second element for retention, but also permits the second element to be separable from the first element. The subject invention provides a mechanical feature beyond the inherent memory of the material for operation of the speculum.