Visual Sampling Speculum With Wireless Imaging and Clean Closure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional medical devices for visual examination and sample collection from body orifices, such as endoscopes and specula, often require separate tools for inspection and sampling, leading to elongated procedures, patient discomfort, and contamination risks due to complex sterilization requirements.

Innovation Solution

A device with an integrated wireless visualization channel and closure mechanism that allows for simultaneous visual inspection and sample collection, featuring a wireless camera system, and a wireless camera system, and a closure mechanism to maintain cleanliness and reduce sterilization needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a lens is used for visual inspection, then visual examination capability is improved, but device size must be minimized causing inability to use sample collection tool simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual inspection capabilityVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional optical lens system with a wireless visualization device (camera) that transmits images wirelessly. This substitution eliminates the need for a physical lens assembly within the speculum, freeing up space to accommodate sample collection tools while maintaining visual inspection capability. The wireless device communicates with an external display, allowing simultaneous sample collection and visualization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If separate tools are used for inspection and sampling, then each tool can be optimized for its function, but procedure time is elongated and patient discomfort increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional optimizationVSAvoidprocedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines visual inspection and sample collection functions into a single integrated device. The speculum body houses both the wireless visualization device for inspection and provides access for sample collection tools. This merging allows both functions to be performed simultaneously through the same device, reducing procedure time and patient discomfort while maintaining functional optimization through the specialized design of each component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The speculum device is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a visual inspection tool (via the wireless camera system) and as a platform for sample collection (through the integrated access channels). This universal design eliminates the need for multiple separate tools, allowing the single device to perform multiple functions efficiently during the same procedural session.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If conventional devices are used, then basic examination function is provided, but contamination risk increases requiring lengthy sterilization process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexamination functionVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the wireless visualization device from the sterile field by making it a separate, disposable component. The wireless camera and its housing are designed as a single-use element that is discarded after one procedure, eliminating the need for sterilization of the electronic components. This extraction allows the reusable speculum body to be thoroughly sterilized while the disposable wireless device prevents cross-contamination risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The wireless visualization device is designed as a disposable component that is discarded after a single use. This approach eliminates contamination risks associated with sterilizing electronic equipment, as each new device is factory-sealed and sterile. The low cost of the disposable wireless device compared to the expense and time of sterilizing complex electronic equipment makes this an economically and hygienically sound solution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentEP4257029B1Medical visual examination and sampling device

Publication Date: 2025.12.10 ARTIMED AS

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AI summary

A device (100) suitable for direct visual examination and sample collection from the digestive track and vagina. The device comprises a main body (102) and an observation channel (104) situated inside the main body comprising a first closed end (114) and a second end. The device further comprises an obdurator (122) for insertion into the main body comprising a longitudinal groove (302) arranged to accommodate the observation channel and a tip (126) comprising a resiliently deformable portion (124). The resiliently deformable portion is adapted to deform to allow the obdurator to pass over the observation channel as the obdurator is being inserted into the main body and to restore to its original shape once the tip has passed over the observation channel and the obdurator is fully inserted into the main body.