Integrated Cervical Tenaculum Speculum Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical tenaculae complicate procedures by requiring multiple instruments and tools to be held simultaneously, obstructing the practitioner's view and limiting effectiveness due to the need for counter-traction on the cervix during gynecological procedures.
Innovation Solution
A surgical tenaculum device with a shaft, clamp, and actuator shaft that allows adjustable counter-traction by attaching to a speculum or skin, featuring a clamp that can be locked or unlocked and operated via handles, enabling the practitioner to free a hand and improve visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional surgical tenaculae are used to provide counter-traction on the cervix, then the cervix can be held in place during procedures, but the practitioner must hold multiple instruments simultaneously which complicates the procedure and obstructs the view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the tenaculum and speculum into a single integrated device. The tenaculum blades are attached to the speculum shaft, allowing the practitioner to insert both the speculum and tenaculum as one unit. This merging eliminates the need to separately hold and coordinate multiple instruments, directly resolving the contradiction between maintaining reliable counter-traction and reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated device performs multiple functions: the speculum portion provides vaginal dilation and visualization, while the attached tenaculum provides cervical grasping and counter-traction. This multi-functionality allows a single instrument to accomplish tasks that previously required separate tools, reducing the number of instruments the practitioner must manage while maintaining all necessary surgical capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple instruments are inserted into the speculum including clamps, catheters, and imaging tools, then comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities are achieved, but the practitioner's view of the cervix is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tenaculum function from the bundle of instruments that would otherwise need to be inserted into the speculum. By providing counter-traction capability at the speculum level, the design eliminates the need to insert additional clamps or grasping tools into the vaginal canal, thereby clearing the visual field while maintaining comprehensive procedural capabilities through the integrated design.
3Ease of operation
If the tenaculum requires manual holding and active control, then the practitioner can adjust counter-traction in real-time, but the practitioner's hands are occupied limiting effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated tenaculum-speculum device provides self-stabilizing counter-traction through its structural design. The tenaculum blades are positioned to naturally engage the cervix upon insertion, and the rigid connection to the speculum shaft provides inherent stability. This self-service mechanism reduces the need for continuous manual adjustment and handholding, freeing the practitioner's hands to perform other surgical tasks while maintaining effective counter-traction.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical device comprising a shaft comprised of a first end and a second end; a clamp configured to be locked or unlocked attached to the first end of the shaft; an actuator shaft that is removably coupled to the shaft and configured to open and close the clamp; and optionally an anchor.