Rotatable Clip-On Light Source for Medical Instruments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical procedures involving internal body cavities often require simultaneous handling of light sources and medical instruments, which can be cumbersome and hinder the operator's ability to perform tasks effectively.
Innovation Solution
A compact, attachable light source with a rotatable spring-biased clip that secures to medical instruments or surfaces, allowing for hands-free illumination and adjustable light direction without user interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the examiner holds both the speculum and the light source simultaneously, then illumination is provided, but handling becomes cumbersome and operational convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light source and speculum into a single integrated unit, where the light source is mounted on the speculum handle. This merging eliminates the need for the examiner to hold two separate instruments simultaneously, directly resolving the contradiction by maintaining illumination functionality while dramatically improving handling convenience and operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated unit serves multiple functions: the speculum performs the mechanical function of separating body cavities while the light source simultaneously provides illumination. This multi-functionality allows a single instrument to fulfill both inspection and lighting requirements, eliminating the need for separate light source handling and improving overall operational convenience.
2Illumination intensity
If a fiber optic light source is placed into the body cavity, then direct illumination is achieved, but the device complexity increases and adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light source function from complex fiber optic systems and implements it through a simple LED component. By removing the fiber optic cable and associated complexity, the design achieves direct illumination through a much simpler LED-based system mounted directly on the speculum, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining illumination effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a disposable, inexpensive LED light source that can be easily replaced after sterilization, rather than using complex, expensive fiber optic systems. This approach prioritizes simplicity and cost-effectiveness over long-term durability of the illumination system, allowing for easy replacement and sterilization while maintaining direct illumination capability.
3Ease of operation
If the light source is integrated into the speculum, then handling convenience improves, but the ability to remove and sterilize the light source separately deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the integrated unit into a removable light source component and a speculum body. The light source is mounted in a accessible location on the speculum handle that allows for easy removal and reattachment. This segmentation enables the light source to be separated for sterilization or replacement while maintaining the integrated handling convenience during use, as the components can be quickly reassembled.
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
Enhances operational convenience by providing consistent and adjustable illumination, reducing the burden on the operator and allowing for easy sterilization and reuse.
Implementation Method 1
a spring biased clip, whereby the light source is disposed within a housing that is rotatable relative to the clip
Implementation Method 2
A compact, attachable light source with a rotatable spring-biased clip that secures to medical instruments or surfaces, allowing for hands-free illumination
Data Source
AI summary
A clip-on light source is provided that is suited for use with medical instruments. The device comprises a light source housing that is rotatably affixed to a spring biased clip. The clip includes an upper clip member and a lower clip member that are hinged and spring biased together. The upper clip member is rotatably affixed to the lower surface of the housing such that the housing can rotate relative to the clip once the clip is affixed to a support surface. The housing comprises a frontal portion, an upper portion, and an interior volume, whereby the interior volume supports a circuit board, a battery power supply, and the light source. The light source projects through an upper surface projection along the housing, whereby the light is directed along the upper surface of the housing and towards the frontal portion.