Rectoscope Cover With Frangible Windows to Prevent Fluid Egress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rectoscopes face the risk of undesired fluid egress during and after insertion due to pressure differentials, posing health and hygiene risks to surgeons.
Innovation Solution
A rectoscope design featuring a movable cover with frangible windows and a cannula for controlled air flow, allowing dilation and instrument insertion while preventing fluid egress through a hermetic seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a cover is used to occlude the proximal opening during air introduction, then air flow to dilate the cavity is improved, but fluid egress risk increases after cover opening
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is segmented with multiple frangible windows that can break independently. This allows controlled access to the inner volume through specific windows while maintaining closure of other areas, enabling instrument insertion without fully opening the cover and thus preventing fluid egress
Solution Approach 2:
The frangible windows are pre-positioned and sealed on the cover before use. During insertion, air is introduced through the cannula while the windows remain sealed. When instrument insertion is needed, the windows break in a controlled manner, allowing access without compromising the hermetic seal of the entire cover
2Ease of operation
If the cover is opened to insert inspection instruments, then instrument access is improved, but fluid egress through the proximal opening occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is divided into multiple frangible windows rather than a single opening. This segmentation allows instruments to access the inner volume through broken windows while the remaining sealed portions of the cover maintain pressure containment and prevent fluid egress through the proximal opening
Solution Approach 2:
The frangible windows act as an intermediary mechanism between the sealed inner volume and the external environment. They provide a controlled transition state where instruments can enter through broken windows while the hermetic seal of the cover prevents fluid egress
3Ease of operation
If air is introduced into the dilator body to dilate the cavity, then insertion difficulty is reduced, but fluid egress risk increases due to pressure differentials
Solution Approach 1:
The hermetic cover acts as an intermediary barrier between the pressurized inner volume and the external environment. It allows air to be introduced for cavity dilation while preventing the pressure differential from causing fluid egress through the proximal opening
Solution Approach 2:
The frangible windows are designed as single-use, disposable elements that break during the procedure. Their temporary nature allows them to serve their purpose of controlled access without needing to withstand repeated pressure cycles, simplifying their design while maintaining safety
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
Prevents unwanted fluid exit, ensuring safe and comfortable inspection operations by maintaining internal pressure and facilitating instrument access.
Implementation Method 1
a cannula adapted to favour, when the cover is in the first position, a communication of air from the outside of the dilator body to the inner volume
Implementation Method 2
a pump or another similar instrument connected or connectible to the cannula and configured to produce a flow of air that, when the cover is in the first position, allows a thrust action to be generated through the distal opening that allows dilation of the cavity
Implementation Method 3
The cover comprises at least one window made of a frangible material and breakable in use, when the cover is in the first position, to allow a controlled access to the inner volume of the dilator body
Data Source
AI summary
A rectoscope for inspecting a cavity of an individual, including a dilator body, extending prevalently along a longitudinal axis, between a proximal and distal end, the proximal and distal ends are connected by a side wall and define together an inner volume. The dilator body includes in the proximal end a cover movable between a first position, the cover defines a closing of a proximal opening of the proximal end-, and a second position in which the cover is moved away from the proximal opening so as to make the inner volume of the dilator body accessible. The cover includes at least one window made of a frangible material and breakable in use, when the cover is in said first position, to allow a controlled access to the inner volume.