Soft Dual-Layer Rectal Speculum for Colon Hydrotherapy

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional rectal speculums for colon hydrotherapy are rigid, causing discomfort during insertion and use due to their inability to deform or flex, leading to increased pain and discomfort for patients.

Innovation Solution

A soft dual-layer rectal speculum with an inner hard layer and an outer soft layer, where the soft layer adheres to the hard layer through thermal, chemical, or mechanical bonding, providing a comfortable and easy-to-position device, along with a pliable obturator for enhanced patient comfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a rigid single-piece material is used for the rectal speculum, then structural strength and durability are improved, but patient comfort deteriorates due to inability to deform or flex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidpatient discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The rectal speculum is constructed from a composite material comprising an inner firm layer and an outer soft layer. The inner firm layer (e.g., polypropylene) provides structural strength and rigidity, while the outer soft layer (e.g., silicone, soft urethane, or thermoplastic elastomer) provides flexibility and patient comfort. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by combining materials with complementary properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the rectal speculum have different material properties: the inner layer maintains firmness for structural integrity, while the outer layer is soft for comfort. This local differentiation of material quality allows the single device to simultaneously achieve both strength and comfort without requiring multiple separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Force

If a rigid obturator is used for insertion assistance, then insertion force is improved, but patient comfort deteriorates due to discomfort during insertion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion forceVSAvoidinsertion discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The obturator is constructed from a composite material with an inner firm layer providing insertion force and an outer soft layer providing comfort during insertion. This allows the obturator to maintain the necessary mechanical strength for effective insertion while minimizing patient discomfort through the compliant outer surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of operation

If hand pressure is applied to the hollow cylindrical tubular member, then positioning control is improved, but force magnification at the distal tip increases causing higher pressure on patient tissue

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning controlVSAvoidpressure at distal tip

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The outer soft layer acts as a flexible shell that distributes applied pressure more evenly along the length of the speculum rather than concentrating it at the distal tip. This flexibility allows the operator to maintain positioning control while reducing the risk of high localized pressure on patient tissue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 soft dual-layer design reduces patient discomfort during insertion and use by providing a flexible and comfortable interface, while the pliable obturator aids in easier insertion and removal, enhancing the overall colon hydrotherapy experience.

Implementation Method 1

The outer soft layer of the main tube member adheres to the inner hard layer of the main tube member and this adhesion may be formed by one or more of thermal bonding, chemical bonding, or mechanical bonding.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal bonding:

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical bonding: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS10485918B2Soft dual layer rectal speculum

Publication Date: 2019.11.26 SPECIALTY HEALTH PROD

AI summary

A soft dual-layer rectal speculum includes a main tube member having a distal end for insertion into a patient's rectum and a proximal end for connection to a waste removal hose where at least a portion of the main tube member includes an inner hard layer and an outer soft layer, and an inlet tube member for directing fluids into the main tube member. The inlet tube member may include a swivel mechanism and the portion of the main tube member having an inner hard layer and an outer soft layer may include a measurement gauge that is visible through the outer soft layer but can't be felt through the outer soft layer. A rectal speculum assembly includes the soft dual-layer rectal speculum described above and an obturator which includes an elongated member having a tapered distal end capable of extending through the distal end of the main tube member. The tapered distal end of the obturator may be made of a soft, pliable material or an inner hard layer (or member) and an outer soft layer.