Hysteroscope Sheath With Internal Flange for Office Insertion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current hysteroscopy systems are too large for use in an office setting, requiring anesthesia due to their size, and often feature a blunt flange that complicates insertion without a sheath and obturator, limiting their applicability.
Innovation Solution
A hysteroscopy system with a scope and removably coupled sheath designed for a vaginoscopic approach, featuring a distal flange that extends internally, allowing for a diameter of 6 millimeters or less, and includes channels for surgical tools and visualization, enabling procedures in an office setting without anesthesia.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a hysteroscope with a blunt flange at the distal end is used, then the scope can be inserted through the cervix, but the flange extends outwardly and makes it difficult or impossible to use the scope without the sheath and/or obturator, limiting the minimum size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the blunt flange from the scope distal end entirely. Instead, a sheath with an internal flange is used to facilitate insertion. This extraction of the problematic external flange allows the scope to be used without the sheath and obturator, enabling a smaller diameter of 6 millimeters or less while maintaining ease of insertion through the internal flange design on the sheath.
2Ease of operation
If a hysteroscope with a diameter of 9 millimeters is used, then the scope includes a scope having a diameter of about 8 millimeters and a sheath having a diameter of about 9 millimeters, but the size is too large for use in an office setting and requires anesthesia
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the critical parameter of hysteroscope diameter from 9 millimeters to 6 millimeters or less. This parameter change enables the procedure to be performed in an office setting without anesthesia, as the smaller diameter reduces patient discomfort and pain. The design achieves this through a scope with 8 millimeter diameter and a sheath with 6 millimeter diameter or less, representing a significant reduction in the outermost diameter.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the sheath is removably coupled to the scope with an internal flange, then the outflow channel is formed between the sheath and scope, but the sheath must be precisely fitted to maintain proper fluid flow channels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the hysteroscope system into a removable sheath and scope assembly. The sheath is removably coupled to the scope, allowing separate manufacturing and assembly. The outflow channel is formed between the sheath and scope, requiring precise fitting to maintain proper fluid flow. This segmentation provides adaptability while necessitating manufacturing precision for the interfacing surfaces to ensure proper outflow channel formation.
Data Source
AI summary
A hysteroscopy system includes a scope having an internal channel, a sheath removably coupled to the scope, and an outflow channel. The sheath has a distal flange extending internally towards an outer surface of the scope. The outflow channel is formed between an inner surface of the sheath and an outer surface of the scope. The distal flange forms a distal end of the outflow channel and is generally located between the scope and the sheath.