U.S. patent application number 13/158417 was filed with the patent office on 2011-09-29 for examination apparatus.
Invention is credited to Howard Steven Rosen.
Application Number | 20110237902 13/158417 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41444932 |
Filed Date | 2011-09-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110237902 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rosen; Howard Steven |
September 29, 2011 |
Examination Apparatus
Abstract
An apparatus and method for an examination apparatus that
includes a manually movable structure having a first movement from
a free state to a compressed state and a second reversing movement
from the compressed state to the free state. Also included is a
plurality of fingers that are disposed adjacent to the structure.
The fingers having a stowed state and an open state, the stowed
state having a nested relationship between the fingers to reduce a
silhouette profile size. In moving from the stowed state to the
open state of the plurality of fingers requires a selected
sequential movement of each the fingers to proceed from the nested
relationship to the open state that is accommodated by an
assemblage for moving the fingers sequentially utilizing the
manually operated structure, wherein the fingers are moved from the
stowed state to the open state and reversed manually.
Inventors: |
Rosen; Howard Steven;
(Denver, CO) |
Family ID: |
41444932 |
Appl. No.: |
13/158417 |
Filed: |
June 11, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12146426 |
Jun 25, 2008 |
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13158417 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
600/224 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 1/303 20130101;
A61B 1/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
600/224 |
International
Class: |
A61B 1/303 20060101
A61B001/303 |
Claims
1. An examination apparatus, comprising: (a) a manually movable
structure having a first selective movement from a free state to a
compressed state and a second selective movement, being a return
movement from said compressed state to said free state; (b) a
plurality of fingers disposed adjacent to said structure, said
fingers having a stowed state and an open state, said stowed state
having a nested relationship between said fingers to reduce a
silhouette of a leading edge profile of said plurality of fingers
in said stowed state, said open state requiring a sequential
movement of each of said fingers to proceed from said nested
relationship to said open state; and (c) a means for moving said
fingers utilizing said structure wherein said fingers are moved
from said stowed state to said open state, wherein said means for
moving automatically accommodates said sequential movement in
proceeding from said stowed state to said open state and reversing
said sequential movement in proceeding from said open state to said
stowed state.
2. An examination apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means
for moving said fingers is sized and configured to facilitate said
sequential movement to include an initial movement by a first
finger that allows for an un-nested relationship of said plurality
of fingers followed by a further sequential movement by a second
finger in proceeding to said open state.
3. An examination apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said means
for moving said fingers further includes a means for independently
urging said second finger into said stowed state.
4. An examination apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said
nested relationship includes said second finger being sized and
configured to be disposed within a profile of said first
finger.
5. An examination apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising
a lockable element that is operational to selectively hold said
plurality of fingers at a selected position between said stowed
state and said open state.
6. An examination apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means
for moving said fingers is sized and configured to have an
increasing mechanical advantage in proceeding from said stowed
state to said open state, wherein said increasing mechanical
advantage is between said manually movable structure and said
plurality of fingers that is operational to increase an opening
force of at least one of said plurality of fingers from said stowed
state to said open state for a fixed manual force on said structure
in proceeding from said stowed state to said open state.
7. An examination apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means
for moving said fingers is sized and configured to have a
selectable increasing mechanical advantage in proceeding from said
stowed state to said open state, wherein said selectable increasing
mechanical advantage is between said manually movable structure and
said plurality of fingers that is operational to selectably
increase an opening force on at least one of said plurality of
fingers from said stowed state to said open state for a fixed
manual force on said structure in proceeding from said stowed state
to said open state.
8. An examination apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising
a retention element that is removably engaged between said
structure and a body.
9. An examination apparatus, comprising: (a) manually movable
structure having a first selective movement from a free state to a
compressed state and a second selective movement, being a return
movement from said compressed state to said free state; (b) a
plurality of fingers disposed adjacent to said structure, said
fingers having a stowed state and an open state, said stowed state
having a nested relationship between said fingers to reduce a
silhouette of a leading edge profile of said plurality of fingers
in said stowed state, said open state requiring a sequential
movement of a first finger prior to a movement of a second finger
to proceed from said nested relationship to said open state; (c) a
means for urging said second finger automatically into said stowed
state; and (d) a mechanism for moving said plurality of fingers
utilizing said structure, wherein said fingers are moved from said
stowed state to said open state, wherein said mechanism includes a
plurality of flexible elements that communicate movement from said
manually movable structure to said plurality of fingers while
automatically accommodating said sequential movement in proceeding
from said stowed state to said open state and reversing said
sequential movement in proceeding from said open state to said
stowed state.
10. An examination apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said
mechanism for moving said fingers further includes said plurality
of flexible elements each being constructed a cable that is
adjacent to a pivotal moment arm of each of said plurality of
fingers, with said cable also being adjacent to a movable portion
of said structure on an opposing end of said cable, wherein said
mechanism is sized and configured to be operational for at least
one of said fingers to have an increasing mechanical advantage
facilitated by an effective change in a moment arm dynamic length
of said pivotal moment arm in proceeding from said stowed state to
said open state, wherein said increasing mechanical advantage is
between said manually movable structure and said plurality of
fingers that is operational to increase an opening force of at
least one of said plurality of fingers from said stowed state to
said open state for a fixed manual force on said structure in
proceeding from said stowed state to said open state.
11. An examination apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said
mechanism for moving said fingers further includes a selectable
device to vary said pivotal moment arm for a selected initial
moment arm length for any one of said plurality of flexible
elements that is adjacent to said pivotal moment arm of each of
said plurality of fingers, wherein said selectable device is
operational for any one of said fingers to have a selectably
increasing mechanical advantage facilitated by a selected change in
said selected initial moment arm length, wherein said pivotal
moment arm further has said moment arm dynamic length change of
said pivotal moment arm in proceeding from said stowed state to
said open state, wherein said increasing mechanical advantage is
between said manually movable structure and said plurality of
fingers that is operational to selectably increase an initial
opening force of one of said plurality of fingers from said stowed
state and further allowing for a selectable increase in said
opening force in going from said stowed state to said open state
for said fixed manual force on said structure in proceeding from
said stowed state to said open state.
12. An examination apparatus according to claim 9 further
comprising a retention element that is removably engaged between
said structure and a body.
13. An examination apparatus, comprising: (a) manually movable
structure having a first selective movement from a free state to a
compressed state and a second selective movement, being a return
movement from said compressed state to said free state; (b) a
plurality of fingers disposed adjacent to said structure, said
fingers having a stowed state and an open state, said stowed state
having a nested relationship between said fingers to reduce a
silhouette of a leading edge profile of said plurality of fingers
in said stowed state, said open state requiring a sequential
movement of a first finger prior to a movement of a second finger
to proceed from said nested relationship to said open state; (c) a
means for urging said second finger automatically into said stowed
state; and (d) an assemblage for moving said plurality of fingers
from said stowed state to said open state, wherein said assemblage
includes a plurality of linkages that communicate movement from
said manually movable structure to said plurality of fingers while
automatically accommodating said sequential movement in proceeding
from said stowed state to said open state and reversing said
sequential movement in proceeding from said open state to said
stowed state.
14. An examination apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said
assemblage for moving said fingers further includes said plurality
of linkages each being constructed a substantially rigid extension
that is adjacent to a pivotal moment arm of each of said plurality
of fingers, with said extension also being adjacent to a movable
portion of said structure on an opposing end of said extension,
wherein said assemblage is sized and configured to be operational
for at least one of said fingers to have an increasing mechanical
advantage facilitated by an effective change in a moment arm length
of said pivotal moment arm in proceeding from said stowed state to
said open state, wherein said increasing mechanical advantage is
between said manually movable structure and said plurality of
fingers that is operational to increase an opening force on at
least one of said plurality of fingers from said stowed state to
said open state for a fixed manual force on said structure in
proceeding from said stowed state to said open state.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This is a continuation patent application having no new
matter related to and claiming priority from pending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/146,426 filed on Jun. 25, 2008 by Howard
Steven Rosen of Denver, Colo., U.S. for the purpose of an
accompanying an Accelerated Examination petition under USPTO form
PTOSB28 being solely to put the current continuation patent
application claims in compliance with the Accelerated Examination
petition requirements.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention generally relates to an apparatus for
examining a resilient cavity. More particularly, the present
invention is an apparatus that manually penetrates into and expands
the resilient cavity a manually selected amount for examination
with the apparatus having the ability to be selectively manually
retracted and manually withdrawn from the cavity.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0003] Apparatus for resilient cavity inspection or examination
have been well-documented in the prior art, especially in the area
of human medical apparatus for examination of body cavities.
Looking in particular at surgical retractors that can also be
termed speculum apparatus that are employed for the use of
gynecological examinations the following general analysis of the
speculum arts is given. Speculum's generally have blades shaped as
extension fingers that are movable between a closed state and an
open state, wherein the blades are typically formed as an elongated
spoon shaped extension finger with one finger typically nesting
within another finger in the closed state for a more streamlined
penetration for insertion into the body cavity. Once the speculum
is inserted into the body cavity, the speculum is then manually
moved from the closed state to the open state, resulting in the
subsequent spreading of some or all of the fingers to physically
expand the body cavity for examination. As is the typical case for
the majority of prior art speculums, the speculum fingers are
pivotally connected at one end and are free on the other hand in a
cantilevered type configuration.
[0004] The primary objective in the speculum's use is to allow the
service provider examining the patient's body cavity or as
typically the case a vagina, for the service provider to have a
full and clear of view as possible of the area disposed within the
cavity while also having as free and open access as possible around
and through the speculum itself with the speculum acting to
obfuscate or block the service provider's view or access in a
minimal manner. In focusing upon the speculums pivotally connected
fingers there exists an undesirable limitation in the service
provider's viewing field of the body cavity and that the pivotal
connection is fixed in its physical size adjacent to the pivotal
axis of movement and does not allow for an increased field of
vision as the fingers are manually expanded outward, i.e. in going
from the closed state to the open state. In fact there could be
some additional restriction of the service provider's view and
access to the body cavity when the speculum fingers are moved from
the closed state to the open state due to the fingers possibly
pivoting inward on their end opposite of their cantilever end.
[0005] Focusing in particular on the vagina speculum which in the
past has been primarily used to visualize the cervix and vagina
walls in addition to gaining access to the uterus. As previously
mentioned there is non-optimal limitation on a portion of the prior
art speculums as to the pivotal connection of the fingers
restricting the service provider's view and access to the interior
of the vagina and in particular the vaginal wall structure. The
vaginal wall structure poses a particular problem for service
provider examination in that the vaginal wall structure is
comprised of soft, somewhat unsupported, and fatty tissue that is
difficult to control in the speculum structurally supporting the
vaginal wall apart from itself somewhat resembling soft bread
dough. This results in the speculum fingers opening up against the
vagina walls in going from the closed state to the open state
wherein the vaginal wall tissue surrounding the finger tends to
collapse around the finger due to its lack of support stiffness
resulting in a further hampering of the service provider's view of
the inside wall vagina. This problem of the vaginal wall collapsing
around the finger is especially prevalent if the patient is
overweight, is older in age, or has had children through the
vaginal tract.
[0006] Furthermore, as the vagina wall collapses around the finger,
the reaction may be that the examining service provider is
motivated to open the fingers to an even greater distance apart to
gain a better visual of the cervix. However, this may be a self
defeating effort as the previously mentioned problem of the vagina
wall collapsing around the finger becomes even more acute as the
figures are moved a further distance part, thus there is very
little to be gained upon moving the speculum fingers further part
to gain a better visual orientation of the vagina and cervix.
Further, another problem of course is patient comfort, as the
fingers are expanded further and further apart patient discomfort
increases due to a number of issues such as the physical outward
force as against the stretching of the introitus, in addition to
the sliding and scraping action of the finger against the vagina
wall also causing patient discomfort, and the subsequent risk of
vagina wall pinching when the fingers are retracted into their
closed state or nested position in preparation for extraction or
withdrawing of the speculum from the vagina.
[0007] A number of prior art solutions have been proposed dealing
with the different methods of which vagina walls are expanded for
visual contact and physical access by the service provider while at
the same time allowing for a minimal amount of blockage for the
service provider to potentially use instruments in the vagina while
at the same time being able to visualize the nature of the
examination or therapeutic procedure that the service provider is
performing. The majority of the early use speculums had pivotally
connected fingers, typically having just two fingers that simply
spread apart from the depression of a thumb lever which usually
included a mechanism to lock the fingers in a particular pivotal
position state in a selectable manner by the service provider.
Although simple in design and easy to use, being somewhat similar
to spreader pliers tools, the early use speculum having only two
fingers and a pivotal connection at one end had limited ability to
enhance visual contact of the service provider with the vagina
walls due to the vagina with wall collapse as a position
intermediate to the spread apart portions of the fingers, i.e. in
the open state as previously described.
[0008] In addition, in the early use speculums due to the nature of
the larger circumferential distance of each finger resulting in a
larger area of the finger itself undesirably covered up larger
portions of the vagina wall thus impeding visual and physical
access of the service provider to the vagina wall. Plus, the early
use speculum undesirably inflicting additional discomfort upon the
patient as previously described due to the large amount of
separating movement of the fingers to each other in going from the
closed state to the open state. More refined solutions included
speculum apparatus that used more than two fingers that could be
opened in an iris aperture type of movement, wherein the fingers
are moved outwardly in typically a spiraling motion. However, the
iris type of speculum had two major drawbacks; the first drawback
being that when each individual finger opened it moved through a
circumferential type of arc and caused a relative sliding motion as
against the vagina wall causing patient discomfort through a
pinching of the vaginal wall tissue with the second drawback of the
complex mechanism with which to move the fingers. Thus this
circumferential arc finger movement of the iris type speculum can
be compared to the pivotal speculum finger arrangement wherein the
pivotal finger moves outwardly without circumferential arc
movement, thus resulting in less discomfort for the patient.
[0009] The complex mechanism for the iris type of speculum further
causes problems from potentially interfering with the service
providers view and access to the vagina as a speculum should
accommodate an open field of view and physical access along a
longitudinal axis parallel to the fingers in the service provider
being positioned at the non-inserting end of the speculum.
Continuing, in looking to the pivotal type of speculums that use
more than two fingers, wherein the undesirable circumferential arc
movement is eliminated, again the problem of having three or more
fingers having to have a complex mechanism usually located at the
position where the service provider needs the maximum access and
field of view for the vagina is a drawback.
[0010] Although the multitude of speculum fingers being more than
two fingers pivoting outward without circumferential arc movement
for less patient discomfort as previously described, does
positively provide for less distance between each finger in the
open state resulting in a reduced span of distance for the vaginal
wall to droop between fingers thus giving the service provider
greater access and visualization of the vagina, in addition to the
reduction in patient discomfort as the fingers do not need to be as
far apart from one another as compared to the two finger speculum.
However, having more than two fingers adds complexity to the
mechanism for moving the fingers in-between the closed state and
the open state which adds size and weight to the speculum on the
end opposing the cantilevered finger portions. Thus a speculum
having more than two fingers in generally beneficial by helping
reduce the occurrence of the vagina wall collapsing from around the
finger and the resulting loss of view and access for the service
provider and for reducing patient discomfort. Further, it should be
noted that as these speculum apparatus are a manually hand held
instrument; size and weight are considerations that should be
desirably minimized.
[0011] Continuing, in looking at some specific examples in the
prior art starting with the typical early use type speculum, in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,997,474 to Batchelor disclosed is a vaginal
speculum comprising two arms hinged with one another at a point
along their length and forming a pair of jaws on one side of the
hinge point and a pair of handles on the opposite side of the hinge
point such that the jaws can be separated by squeezing together the
handles. An elongated locking member in Batchelor is pivotally
mounted to one handle, with the locking member having enough
friction to hold it in position against its weight, reference
column 1, lines 29-33 and lines 43-46. Batchelor had added the
features of an elongated handle for the entire hand of the service
provider to be able to grip the speculum as opposed to the thumb
lever that had been previously employed on earlier speculums to
give more opening force to the arms and including a new design
locking member to hold the arms in a selected position apart.
[0012] Similar to Batchelor in design for the spreading apart
fingers and the pivotal handle arrangement, in looking at U.S. Pat.
No. 6,416,466 to Hsiao disclosed is a vaginal speculum that is made
of metal or plastic including an upper and a lower jaw forming a
concave profile. In Hsiao, the end part of the jaw opposite from
the insertion end of the lower jaw is extended, whereby a patient's
secretion can be exhausted or channeled along the extended end part
for avoiding contact with the service provider's hands, reference
column 1, lines 43-48 and lines 56-60. In addition to the new
secretion irrigation channel, Hsiao has a plurality of buckling
members used for locking the jaws into a selected position. In
addition, in being somewhat similar to Batchelor and Hsiao, in
having a veterinary application speculum, in Ukraine patent number
UA 9,393 U to Tsymerman et al. disclosed is a vaginal speculum for
examining females of large animals equipped with reflector and
electric lamp connected with a power supply. In Tsymerman et al.,
the movable handle of the upper branch is attached with the fixed
handle of the lower branch by the retainer screw with two nuts for
the locking mechanism of the spreadable fingers including the
addition of a light adjacent to the upper finger.
[0013] Continuing further, in an example of an iris type of
expanding speculum, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,354,995 to Hoftman et al.
disclosed is a rotational lateral expander apparatus having
multiple blades. As a typical example, four blades in Hoftman et
al., are arranged so that their forcing planes are facially
parallel to each other in a closed or nested position, reference
column 1, lines 51-57. In Hoftman et al., specifically referring to
FIGS. 1 to 5, it can be seen that the blades must have a sliding
motion as against the vaginal wall structure which can lead to
patient discomfort as the vaginal wall structure can be pulled,
compressed, and pinched as the blades move from their closed state
to their open state and in returning from the open state to the
closed state. Hoftman et al., has the feature of the translation of
forceps type movement into the iris type movement through a
mechanism to effectuate the blades going from the closed state to
the open state in the rotating base plate that connects to a
lateral expansion of the blades that open laterally and
rotationally simultaneously.
[0014] As an example of a pivotal blade speculum having more than
two blades in looking at U.S. Pat. No. 6,280,379 to Resnick
disclosed is a speculum using small "bullet shaped" diameter tips
on the distal ends of the blades which may be comprised of plastic,
or coated metal to reduce friction, or reduce the "cold" sensation
of the patient, reference column 2, lines 55-67. The Resnick
speculum also has four blades to expand the vaginal walls, with
three of the blades actually having expanding/contracting movement
in somewhat of a mechanically open manner, having a degree of free
play as between the blades and the handle structure. Due to the
larger and somewhat complex mechanism in Resnick required to expand
and retract three blades from a pistol grip handle, say as compared
to the simple and small mechanism in Batchelor for example, the
Resnick speculum is slightly heavy and cumbersome, being an
undesirable feature of a manually hand held instrument. Further to
this in Resnick, the additional hand squeezing force required to
move three blades as compared to the prior art moving a single
blade, again as in Batchelor, adds to the difficulty in using the
Resnick speculum. In Resnick this would be considered a design
requirement as a greater mechanical advantage mechanism, as between
the compressible handgrip and blades, has been employed to a
limited extent with the blade hook end 16, see FIG. 1 (closed
state) and FIG. 5 (open state), i.e. the travelling ring 10 moving
further from the blade pivot point sleeve 18 that is upon the
stationary ring 8, resulting in a greater moment arm, which is a
positive. However, Resnick does not really take full advantage of
this moment arm increase due to only a portion of the travelling
ring 10 force taking advantage to the increased moment arm as the
distance between the travelling ring 10 and the blade pivot point
sleeve 18 upon the stationary ring 8 remains substantially constant
in an axis perpendicular to the force vector on the travelling ring
10 when moving the blades from the closed state to the open
state.
[0015] A further example of a four blade speculum that addresses
the mechanical complexity issue for the three to four blade
movement from the handgrip, is in U.S. Pat. No. 7,060,029 B1 to
Hajianpour, that discloses a basically conventional early use type
pivotal two blade speculum, i.e. designed for contacting the
anterior and posterior vaginal wall portions being similar to
Batchelor, with having the addition of attachable/removable
opposing lateral blades, wherein the lateral blades are attached
and removed when the conventional portion of the speculum is in an
open state by compressing as against the anterior and posterior
vaginal walls. Thus Hajianpour attempts to have the advantage of
the four blade speculum without the complexity, size, and weight of
three or four blades moving together from a handle grip, however,
the compromise being disadvantage of the loose lateral blade pieces
that have to be manually positioned and attached and removed each
time an examination is performed. Close to Hajianpour in U.S. Pat.
No. 6,146,467 B1 to McMillian et al., is another speculum with a
conventional pivotally connected two finger design that "adds in"
two additional lateral blades that have their own independent thumb
screw adjustment that is not connected to the primary anterior and
posterior fingers.
[0016] Another example of a four blade speculum is in U.S. Pat. No.
6,869,398 B2 to Obenchain et al., that discloses the use of an
extensive mechanism for the selectable positioning of the four
blades, even though Obenchain et al., has a very elaborate blade
positioning arrangement, the size and weight dictate that
additional support is required as the speculum cannot be supported
by the body cavity or the examining service provider's hand as
evidenced by the desired stabilizing arm 40 in FIG. 1. A further
example in the four dilator finger area is disclosed in U.S. Pat.
No. 6,436,033 B2 to Tan that is somewhat similar to Resnick except
that the pivotal actuator is disposed between the finger pivot
point and the free cantilever end of the finger that is inserted
into the vagina, however, only being for the third and fourth
blades, reference fingers 14a and 14b. In Tan, the speculum
basically starts with a conventional pivotal two blade arrangement
like Batchelor and then adds the third and fourth fingers that have
a subsequent pivotal contact after the anterior and posterior
fingers have started to open. A drawback of Tan is that there is no
real mechanical advantage in the design opening mechanism that
could accommodate the additional opening force required when the
examining service provider in squeezing the handle encounters the
opening force of four fingers from two fingers.
[0017] An even further example in the four blade speculum area, in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,377,667 and its continuation follow-on application
in U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,690 both to Patton et al., disclosed is a
speculum that utilizes a slider plate that acts as collet in moving
parallel to the speculum finger longitudinal axis, wherein the
slider plate is operable to open and close the fingers by movement
along the finger longitudinal axis. In Patton et al., although the
slider does accomplish its purpose in opening and closing the
fingers desirably, however, the slider plate adds considerable bulk
and weight to the speculum opposite of the finger cantilever ends
being undesirable from a service provider's standpoint plus the
attendant problem of obscuring the service provider's vision and
instrument access through the speculum center that is adjacent to
the finger pivotal end portions opposite of the finger cantilever
ends, see in particular FIGS. 6, 7, and 8.
[0018] What is needed is an examination apparatus or more
particularly a speculum that does preferably utilize more than two
fingers to reduce, in the finger open state, the finger to finger
span distance that allows the lax vaginal wall tissue to prolapse
while the speculum is inserted into the introitus of the vagina and
subsequently moved to the open state of the fingers. Also, the
desirable speculum would at the same time provide the examining
service provider the maximum field of view through the proximal
portion of the speculum being the non-insertion end of the
apparatus, plus the included feature that also equates to allowing
for other instruments to be used in this field of view access area.
Further, the desired speculum would have a mechanism to accommodate
the kinematics from the actuation structure or handle to the finger
movement that would employ a greater mechanical advantage than what
has been taught by the prior art for enhancing the operating
experience of the examining service provider in requiring less hand
grip strength as a greater number of fingers, being more than two
fingers that ends up resulting in less hand fatigue for the service
provider for multiple examinations that are performed in the course
of the day. In addition, the entire apparatus would be of a minimal
size and weight which is always a welcome feature in a hand held
manually actuated speculum apparatus. Continuing, the speculum
would be operable to help minimize patient discomfort by the finger
having little sliding type movement as against the vaginal wall
structure and having to open the fingers a minimal amount for the
examining service provider to have sufficient visual and instrument
access, while minimizing vaginal wall structure prolapse between
the fingers in their open state, that results in maximizing the
visual and instrument access to the vagina from the examining
service provider through the speculum.
[0019] The vaginal wall prolapse issue is primarily due to lax
vaginal wall tissue tone which is fairly common and is most
typically associated with a woman having natural childbirth through
the vaginal tract, or elderly women, or obese woman. Thus
currently, with use of the prior art two blade or two finger
speculum due to the aforementioned lax vaginal tone, the service
provider typically has to open the fingers further apart to have an
adequate view, with this further opening or spreading of the
speculum fingers causing the patient a higher level of discomfort
due to speculum finger pressure as against the bladder and/or
urethra. Thus, the desirability of having more than two speculum
fingers in a minimally sized and weighted speculum that could
facilitate easy one-handed operation by the service provider would
be substantially optimal by allowing the service provider to use
their other hand for viewing lights, instruments, and the like.
Further, the desirable speculum would have as previously mentioned
the degree of mechanical advantage in the hand grip to blade
movement mechanism that facilitates the opening of greater than two
fingers without the need for excessive grip compression strength on
the part of the using service provider. Other desirable features of
the speculum would include; non-vaginal wall tissue pinching
fingers, minimal-heat transfer fingers-to reduce the "cold"
sensation for the patient, or minimal electrical conductance
fingers for performing electro-surgical procedures, and further a
possible light source for viewing the vaginal cavity with the
speculum inserted into the vagina and in the open state, in
addition to a fluid communication medium to facilitate adding or
removing fluids from the vagina.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0020] Broadly, the present invention is an examination apparatus
that includes a manually movable structure having a first selective
movement from a free state to a compressed state and a second
selective movement, being a return movement from the compressed
state to the free state. Also included in the examination apparatus
is a plurality of fingers that are disposed adjacent to the
structure. The fingers having a stowed state and an open state, the
stowed state resulting in a nested relationship between the fingers
to reduce a silhouette of a leading edge profile of the plurality
of fingers in the stowed state. With the open state of the
plurality of fingers requiring a selected sequential movement of
each the fingers to proceed from the nested and stowed state
relationship to the open state. Further included in the examination
apparatus is an assemblage for moving the fingers utilizing the
structure wherein the fingers are moved from the stowed state to
said open state. Wherein, the assemblage for moving accommodates
the selected sequential movement in proceeding from the stowed
state to the open state and reversing the sequential movement in
proceeding from the open state to the stowed state for the
plurality of fingers.
[0021] These and other objects of the present invention will become
more readily appreciated and understood from a consideration of the
following detailed description of the exemplary embodiment(s) of
the present invention when taken together with the accompanying
drawings, in which;
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the examination apparatus
including the flexible elements with the fingers in the stowed
state and the structure in the free state;
[0023] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the examination apparatus
including the flexible elements with the fingers in the open state
and the structure in the compressed state;
[0024] FIG. 3 shows a side elevation view of the examination
apparatus including the flexible elements with the fingers in the
stowed state and the structure in the free state;
[0025] FIG. 4 shows a side elevation view of the examination
apparatus including the flexible elements with the fingers in the
open state and the structure in the compressed state;
[0026] FIG. 5 shows a service provider end view of the examination
apparatus including the flexible elements with the fingers in the
stowed state and the structure in the free state;
[0027] FIG. 6 shows a service provider end view of the examination
apparatus including the flexible elements with the fingers in the
open state and the structure in the compressed state;
[0028] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the examination apparatus
including the flexible elements with the fingers in the open state
and the structure in the compressed state further comprising a
means for fluid communication and a means for light communication
both adjacent to a finger;
[0029] FIG. 8 is a kinematic schematic representation of the
examination apparatus including the flexible elements, showing
primarily a means for moving the fingers utilizing the structure,
further the view for the second finger is rotated ninety degrees
toward the viewer for pictorial clarity;
[0030] FIG. 9 shows a partial side elevation view of the
examination apparatus including the flexible elements with the
fingers in the stowed state and the structure in the free state,
that further comprises a detail of the selectable increasing
mechanical advantage as applied to a first finger;
[0031] FIG. 10 is a section 10-10 view from FIG. 9 that further
comprises a detail of the selectable increasing mechanical
advantage as applied to a second finger;
[0032] FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of the examination
apparatus including the linkages with the fingers in the stowed
state and the structure in the free state;
[0033] FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of the examination
apparatus including the linkages with the fingers in the open state
and the structure in the compressed state;
[0034] FIG. 13 shows a side elevation view of the examination
apparatus including the linkages with the fingers in the stowed
state and the structure in the free state;
[0035] FIG. 14 shows a side elevation view of the examination
apparatus including the linkages with the fingers in the open state
and the structure in the compressed state;
[0036] FIG. 15 shows a service provider end view of the examination
apparatus including the linkages with the fingers in the stowed
state and the structure in the free state;
[0037] FIG. 16 shows a service provider end view of the examination
apparatus including the linkages with the fingers in the open state
and the structure in the compressed state;
[0038] FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of the examination
apparatus including the linkages with the fingers in the open state
and the structure in the compressed state further comprising a
means for fluid communication and a means for light communication
both adjacent to a finger;
[0039] FIG. 18 is a kinematic schematic representation of the
examination apparatus including the linkages, showing primarily a
means for moving the fingers utilizing the structure, further the
view for the second finger is rotated ninety degrees toward the
viewer for pictorial clarity;
[0040] FIG. 19 shows a perspective use view of the examination
apparatus including the flexible elements with the fingers in the
stowed state and the structure in the free state, wherein a nested
silhouette of the fingers in the stowed state is being inserted
into an examination body cavity cross section of a creature or
patient by a service provider;
[0041] FIG. 20 shows the service providers view of the examination
apparatus including the flexible elements with the fingers in the
stowed state and the structure in the free state, wherein a nested
silhouette of the fingers in the stowed state is being inserted
into an examination body cavity of the creature or patient by a
service provider;
[0042] FIG. 21 shows a perspective use view of the examination
apparatus including the flexible elements with the fingers in the
open state and the structure in the compressed state, wherein the
fingers in the open state have expanded the examination body cavity
in cross section of the creature or patient by the service
provider;
[0043] FIG. 22 shows the service providers field of view of the
examination apparatus including the flexible elements with the
fingers in the open state and the structure in the compressed
state, wherein the fingers in the open state have expanded the
examination body cavity of a creature or patient by the service
provider;
[0044] FIG. 23 shows a perspective use view of the examination
apparatus including the linkages with the fingers in the stowed
state and the structure in the free state, wherein the nested
silhouette of the fingers in the stowed state is being inserted
into the examination body cavity in cross section of the creature
or patient by the service provider;
[0045] FIG. 24 shows the service providers view of the examination
apparatus including the linkages with the fingers in the stowed
state and the structure in the free state, wherein the nested
silhouette of the fingers in the stowed state is being inserted
into the examination body cavity of the creature or patient by the
service provider;
[0046] FIG. 25 shows a perspective use view of the examination
apparatus including the linkages with the fingers in the open state
and the structure in the compressed state, wherein the fingers in
the open state have expanded the examination body cavity in cross
section of the creature or patient by the service provider; and
[0047] FIG. 26 shows the service providers field of view of the
examination apparatus including the linkages with the fingers in
the open state and the structure in the compressed state, wherein
the fingers in the open state have expanded the examination body
cavity of the creature or patient by the service provider.
REFERENCE NUMBERS IN DRAWINGS
[0048] 30 Examination apparatus [0049] 31 Examination apparatus
embodiment with flexible elements 170 [0050] 32 Examination
apparatus embodiment with linkages 210 [0051] 35 Manually movable
structure [0052] 36 Movable portion of the structure 35 [0053] 40
First selective movement of structure 35 [0054] 45 Free state of
the structure 35 [0055] 50 Compressed state of the structure 35
[0056] 51 Second selective movement of the structure 35 [0057] 52
Return movement from the compressed state 50 to the free state 45
[0058] 55 Plurality of fingers [0059] 56 First finger [0060] 57
Profile of the first finger 56 [0061] 58 Second finger [0062] 59
Sizing and configuring of second finger 58 to be disposed within a
profile 57 of the first finger 56 [0063] 60 Pivotal moment arm of
each of the fingers 55 [0064] 61 Dynamic length change of the
moment arm 60 [0065] 62 Selectably vary moment arm 60 length [0066]
63 Initial selected moment arm 60 length [0067] 64 Axis of pivotal
moment arm 60 [0068] 65 Stowed state of the fingers 55 [0069] 66
Pivotal axis of the first finger 56 [0070] 67 Pivotal axis of the
second finger 58 [0071] 68 Moment arm of the first finger 56 [0072]
69 Moment arm of the second finger 58 [0073] 70 Open state of the
fingers 55 [0074] 71 Adjustable finger [0075] 72 Means for
adjusting finger 71 [0076] 75 Nested relationship of the fingers 55
in the stowed state 65 [0077] 80 Un-nested relationship of fingers
55 [0078] 85 Leading edge profile of the fingers 55 in the nested
relationship 75 [0079] 90 Silhouette of leading edge profile 85
[0080] 95 Sequential movement of the fingers 55 [0081] 100 Initial
movement by a first finger 56 of selected sequential movement 95
[0082] 105 Further sequential movement by the second finger 58 of
selected sequential movement 95 [0083] 110 Means for moving the
fingers 55 from the stowed state 65 to the open state 70 [0084] 115
Sizing and configuring of the means 110 for sequential movement 95
[0085] 120 Means for urging the second finger 58 into the stowed
state 65 [0086] 121 Movement for means 120 [0087] 125 Spring for
means 120 on the examination apparatus embodiment 31 [0088] 126
Spring for means 120 on the examination apparatus embodiment 32
[0089] 130 Lockable element that selectably holds the fingers 55 at
a position between the stowed state 65 and the open state 70 [0090]
131 Flexible wire rod [0091] 132 Toothed rack for removably
engaging the flexible wire rod 131 [0092] 133 Thumb nut [0093] 134
Threaded rod for threadably engaging thumb nut 133 [0094] 135 Means
for fluid communication adjacent to the fingers 55 [0095] 140 Means
for light communication adjacent to the fingers 55 [0096] 145
Increasing mechanical advantage in the means 110 when moving the
fingers 55 from the stowed state 65 to the open state 70 [0097] 150
Opening force of fingers 55 from means 110 or mechanism 165 with
the force 150 increasing on the fingers 55 from the stowed state 65
to the open state 70 [0098] 151 Arc type movement of moment arm 60
[0099] 155 Fixed manual substantially constant force on the
structure 35 in proceeding from the stowed state 65 to the open
state 70 [0100] 160 Selectable increasing mechanical advantage 145
[0101] 165 Mechanism for moving the fingers 55 from the stowed
state 65 to the open state 70 [0102] 170 Plurality of flexible
elements in mechanism 165 [0103] 171 Axis for the flexible elements
170 [0104] 175 Communication of movement from the movable structure
35 to the fingers 55 that incorporates the selected sequential
movement 95 in the mechanism 165 [0105] 180 Cables for the flexible
elements 170 [0106] 181 Length of each flexible element 170 [0107]
182 Selectable length 181 adjustment for each flexible element 170
[0108] 183 Cable nut for cable 180 [0109] 184 Threaded portion of
cable 180 that threadably engages the cable nut 183 [0110] 185
Adjacent position of the cable 180 to the pivotal moment arm 60 of
each of the fingers 55 [0111] 186 Movement lengthwise along axis
parallel to path of flexible element 170 [0112] 190 Opposing
portion of the cable 180 to the movable portion 36 of the structure
35 [0113] 195 Sizing and configuring of the mechanism 165 for the
fingers 55 to have increasing mechanical advantage in the changing
moment arm 60 dynamic length 61 in the fingers proceeding from the
stowed state 65 to the open state 70 [0114] 200 Selectable device
to vary 62 the pivotal moment arm 60 in length from an initial
selected moment arm length 63 [0115] 201 Nut for moment arm 60
[0116] 202 Lock nut for moment arm 60 [0117] 203 Threaded portion
of moment arm 60 for threadably engaging nut 201 and nut 202 [0118]
205 Assemblage for moving the fingers 55 from the stowed state 65
to the open state 70 [0119] 210 Plurality of linkages in assemblage
205 [0120] 211 Pivotal connection of linkage 210 to pivotal moment
arm 60 [0121] 215 Communication of movement from the movable
structure 35 to the fingers 55 that incorporates the selected
sequential movement 95 in the assemblage 205 [0122] 220
Substantially rigid extension of the linkages 210 [0123] 225
Adjacent position of the extension 220 to the pivotal moment arm 60
of each of the fingers 55 [0124] 230 Opposing portion of the
extension 220 adjacent to the movable portion 36 of the structure
35 [0125] 235 Sizing and configuring of the assemblage 205 for the
fingers 55 to have increasing mechanical advantage in the changing
moment arm 60 dynamic length 61 in the fingers 55 proceeding from
the stowed state 65 to the open state 70 [0126] 240 Creature or
patient [0127] 245 Examination body cavity of creature 240 or
patient 240 [0128] 250 Service provider using the examination
apparatus 30, 31, or 32 [0129] 255 Retention element [0130] 260
Field of vision
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0131] With initial reference to FIG. 1 shown is a perspective view
of the examination apparatus 30 or 31 including the flexible
elements 170 with the fingers 55 in the stowed state 65 and the
structure 35 in the free state 45. Continuing, FIG. 2 shows a
perspective view of the examination apparatus 30 or 31 including
the flexible elements 170 with the fingers 55 in the open state 70
and the structure 35 in the compressed state 50. Next, FIG. 3 shows
a side elevation view of the examination apparatus 30 or 31
including the flexible elements 170 with the fingers 55 in the
stowed state 65 and the structure in the free state 45. FIG. 4
shows a side elevation view of the examination apparatus 30 or 31
including the flexible elements 170 with the fingers 55 in the open
state 70 and the structure 35 in the compressed state 50.
Continuing further, FIG. 5 shows a service provider 250 end view of
the examination apparatus 30 or 31 including the flexible elements
170 with the fingers 55 in the stowed state 65 and the structure 35
in the free state 45 and FIG. 6 shows a service provider 250 end
view of the examination apparatus 30 or 31 including the flexible
elements 170 with the fingers 55 in the open state 70 and the
structure 35 in the compressed state 50.
[0132] Moving forward, FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the
examination apparatus 30 or 31 including the flexible elements 170
with the fingers 55 in the open state 70 and the structure 35 in
the compressed state 50 further comprising a means 135 for fluid
communication and a means 140 for light communication both adjacent
to the finger 55. Following, FIG. 8 is a kinematic schematic
representation of the examination apparatus 30 or 31 including the
flexible elements 170, showing primarily a means 110 for moving the
fingers 55 utilizing the structure 35, further the view for the
second finger 58 is rotated ninety degrees toward the FIG. 8 viewer
for pictorial clarity. Next, FIG. 9 shows a partial side elevation
view of the examination apparatus 30 or 31 including the flexible
elements 170 with the fingers 55 in the stowed state 65 and the
structure 35 in the free state 45, that further comprises a detail
of the selectable 160 increasing mechanical advantage as applied to
a first finger 56 and FIG. 10 is a section 10-10 view from FIG. 9
that further comprises a detail of the selectable 160 increasing
mechanical advantage as applied to a second finger 58.
[0133] Continuing, FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of the
examination apparatus 30 or 32 including the linkages 210 with the
fingers 55 in the stowed state 65 and the structure 35 in the free
state 45 and FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of the examination
apparatus 30 or 32 including the linkages 210 with the fingers 55
in the open state 70 and the structure 35 in the compressed state
50. Furthermore, FIG. 13 shows a side elevation view of the
examination apparatus 30 or 32 including the linkages 210 with the
fingers 55 in the stowed state 65 and the structure 35 in the free
state 45 and FIG. 14 shows a side elevation view of the examination
apparatus 30 or 32 including the linkages 210 with the fingers 55
in the open state 70 and the structure 35 in the compressed state
50. Yet further, FIG. 15 shows a service provider 250 end view of
the examination apparatus 30 or 32 including the linkages 210 with
the fingers 55 in the stowed state 65 and the structure 35 in the
free state 45 and FIG. 16 shows a service provider 250 end view of
the examination apparatus 30 or 32 including the linkages 210 with
the fingers 55 in the open state 70 and the structure 35 in the
compressed state 50.
[0134] Moving onward, FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of the
examination apparatus 30 or 32 including the linkages 210 with the
fingers 55 in the open state 70 and the structure 35 in the
compressed state 50 further comprising a means 135 for fluid
communication and a means 140 for light communication both adjacent
to a finger 55. Further, FIG. 18 is a kinematic schematic
representation of the examination apparatus 30 or 32 including the
linkages 210, showing primarily a means 110 for moving the fingers
55 utilizing the structure 35, further the view for the second
finger 58 is rotated ninety degrees toward the FIG. 18 viewer for
pictorial clarity. Next, FIG. 19 shows a perspective use view of
the examination apparatus 30 or 31 including the flexible elements
170 with the fingers 55 in the stowed state 65 and the structure 35
in the free state 45, wherein a nested profile 85 silhouette 90 of
the fingers 55 in the stowed state 65 is being inserted into an
examination body 240 cavity 245 shown in cross section of a
creature or patient 240 by a service provider 250. Continuing, FIG.
20 shows the service providers 250 view of the examination
apparatus 30 or 31 including the flexible elements 170 with the
fingers 55 in the stowed state 65 and the structure 35 in the free
state 45, wherein a nested profile 85 silhouette 90 of the fingers
55 in the stowed state 65 is being inserted into an examination
body 240 cavity 245 of the creature or patient 240 by a service
provider 250.
[0135] Furthermore, FIG. 21 shows a perspective use view of the
examination apparatus 30 or 31 including the flexible elements 170
with the fingers 55 in the open state 70 and the structure 35 in
the compressed state 50, wherein the fingers 55 in the open state
70 have expanded the examination body 240 cavity 245 shown in cross
section of the creature or patient 240 by the service provider 250.
Further, FIG. 22 shows the service providers 250 field of view of
the examination apparatus 30 or 31 including the flexible elements
170 with the fingers 55 in the open state 70 and the structure 35
in the compressed state 50, wherein the fingers 55 in the open
state 70 have expanded the examination body 240 cavity 245 of a
creature or patient 240 by the service provider 250. Moving ahead,
FIG. 23 shows a perspective use view of the examination apparatus
30 or 32 including the linkages 210 with the fingers 55 in the
stowed state 65 and the structure 35 in the free state 45, wherein
the nested profile 85 silhouette 90 of the fingers 55 in the stowed
state 65 is being inserted into the examination body 240 cavity 245
shown in cross section of the creature or patient 240 by the
service provider 250.
[0136] Continuing, FIG. 24 shows the service providers 250 view of
the examination apparatus 30 or 32 including the linkages 210 with
the fingers 55 in the stowed state 65 and the structure 35 in the
free state 45, wherein the nested profile 85 silhouette 90 of the
fingers 55 in the stowed 65 state is being inserted into the
examination body 240 cavity 245 of the creature or patient 240 by
the service provider 250. Further, FIG. 25 shows a perspective use
view of the examination apparatus 30 or 32 including the linkages
210 with the fingers 55 in the open state 70 and the structure 35
in the compressed state 50, wherein the fingers 55 in the open
state 70 have expanded the examination body 240 cavity 245 shown in
cross section of the creature or patient 240 by the service
provider 250. Continuing onward, FIG. 26 shows the service
providers 250 field of view of the examination apparatus 30 or 32
including the linkages 210 with the fingers 55 in the open state 70
and the structure 35 in the compressed state 50, wherein the
fingers 55 in the open state 70 have expanded the examination body
240 cavity 245 of the creature or patient 240 by the service
provider 250.
[0137] Broadly the present invention as best shown in FIGS. 1
through 18 of the examination apparatus 30, 31, and 32 includes a
manually movable structure 35 having a first selective movement 40
from a free state 45 to a compressed state 50 and a second
selective movement 51, being a return movement 52 from the
compressed state 50 to the free state 45. Further included in the
examination apparatus 30 are the plurality of fingers 55 disposed
adjacent to the structure 35, the fingers 55 having a stowed state
65 and an open state 70, the stowed state 65 having a nested
relationship 75 between the fingers 55 to reduce a silhouette 90 of
a leading edge profile 85 of the plurality of fingers 55 in the
stowed state 65, as best shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 11, 13, and 15 for
the nested relationship 75. Wherein the nested relationship 75
further facilitates easier insertion of the plurality of fingers 55
into the cavity 245 as best shown in FIGS. 19, 20, 23, and 24, by
not requiring a precise fit between the fingers 55, this as opposed
to fingers that are symmetrically disposed as to one another that
do require a more precise fit to one another for a smooth and
streamlined multiple finger body cavity insertion profile. The open
state 70 requiring a selected sequential movement 95 of each finger
55 to one another to proceed from the nested relationship 75 to the
open state 70.
[0138] Also included in the examination apparatus 30, 31, and 32 is
the means 110 for moving the fingers 55 utilizing the structure 35,
wherein the fingers 55 are moved from the stowed state 65 to the
open state 70, as best shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 2 and in FIG. 11 to
FIG. 12. Wherein the means 110 for moving accommodates the selected
sequential movement 95 in proceeding from the stowed state 65 to
the open state 70 and reversing the sequential movement 95 in
proceeding from the open state 70 to the stowed state 65. Further,
in the means 110 for moving the fingers 55 is preferably sized and
configured to facilitate the selected sequential movement 95 to
include an initial movement 100 by a first finger 56 that allows
the plurality of the fingers 55 to go from the stowed state 65 or
nested relationship 75 to an un-nested 80 relationship of the
plurality of fingers 55 followed by a further sequential movement
105 by a second finger 58 in proceeding to the open state 70, as
best shown in as best shown in going from FIG. 1 to FIG. 2 and in
going from FIG. 11 to FIG. 12.
[0139] Furthermore on the means 110 for moving the fingers 55 can
also optionally further include a means 120 for urging the second
finger 58 into the stowed state 65 through movement 121 as best
shown in FIG. 10, thus operationally the means 120 can help ensure
that the second finger 58 is nested 75 within the first finger 56
during the reverse movement of the fingers 55 in going from the
open state 70 to the stowed state 65, as shown in going from FIG. 2
to FIG. 1 and in going from FIG. 12 to FIG. 11, thus the second
finger 58 moves 121 to the nested relationship 75 prior to the
first finger 56 moving to the nested relationship 75. Further, on
the means 120 for urging the second finger 58 into the stowed state
65 is preferably a spring 125 or 126 as best shown in FIGS. 1
through 18. Alternatively, the means 120 could be elastomeric, a
torsional spring, spiral spring, or any other equivalents for
accomplishing the aforementioned urging function.
[0140] Returning to the nesting relationship 75, of the examination
apparatus 30, 31, and 32, the nesting relation 75 preferably has
the second finger 58 being sized and configured 59 to be disposed
within a profile of first finger 56, as best shown in FIGS. 1, 3,
5, 11, 13, and 15, that results in the nested relationship 75 to
form a silhouette 90 having a streamlined leading edge profile 85
for ease of insertion of the stowed 65 plurality of finger 55 into
the body cavity 245, as best shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 and further
in FIGS. 23 and 24.
[0141] Further, as best shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 and FIGS. 11 to 17 an
adjustable finger 71 can be disposed upon the structure 35 via
means 72 for adjusting the finger 71. The means 72 is preferably a
thumb type screw that can allow finger 71 to move closer or further
from the fingers 55 in the stowed state 65 as best shown in FIGS.
1, 3, 11, and 13. The means 72 can alternatively be any other type
of adjustment such as rack and pinion, snap, frictional, and the
like as long as the previously mentioned adjustability is
maintained and the means 72 could withstand at least force 150 as
against the involuntary movement of finger 71 along its adjustment
path being closer or further from the fingers 55 in the stowed
state 65 as best shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 11, and 13.
[0142] As an operational option the examination apparatus 30 can
further comprise a lockable element 130 that is operational to
selectively hold the plurality of fingers 55 at a selected position
between the stowed state 65 and said open state 70, wherein the
lockable element 130 is disposed adjacent to the means 110 such
that plurality of fingers 55 are locked into a selected position
that would be a fingers 55 position between as best shown in going
from between FIG. 1 to FIG. 2 and in going from between FIG. 11 to
FIG. 12. The lockable element 130 is preferably a flexible wire rod
131 that removably engages a toothed rack 132 such that the wire
rod 131 urges itself to be removably engaged with the toothed rack
132 to be in a locked state, wherein the flexible wire 131 can be
manually disengaged from the toothed rack 132 by the service
provider 250 to unlock the lockable element 130 and allow the
plurality fingers 55 to move freely between the stowed state 65 and
the open state 70, as best shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7.
Alternatively, the lockable element 130 can be a thumb nut 133
threadably engaged to a threaded rod 134 as best shown in FIGS. 11
through 17, wherein the thumb nut 133 is manually adjusted along
the rod 134 to selectively hold the plurality of fingers 55 at a
selected position between the stowed state 65 and said open state
70. Furthermore the lockable element 130 can be other arrangements
as well that could include various clamping devices and the
like.
[0143] On the materials of construction for the examination
apparatus 30, 31, or 32 the structure 35 being preferably
constructed of stainless steel, however, alternatively the
structure 35 can be constructed of partially or completely of a
non-electrically conductive material such as a composite or
polymer. Further, on the structure 35 another alternative for the
materials of construction could be a non-heat transfer material
that could also be a composite or polymer. Other materials of
construction could be used for the structure 35 as long as the
functional requirements are meet of adequate strength for a manual
compression through movements 40 and 51 by the service provider 250
and be autoclaveable for sterilization purposes. On the materials
of construction for the examination apparatus 30, 31 or 32 the
plurality of fingers 55 are preferably constructed of stainless
steel, however, alternatively the fingers 55 can be constructed of
partially or completely of a non electrically conductive material
such as a composite or polymer. Further, for the plurality of
fingers 55 another alternative for the materials of construction
being constructed of partially or completely of a non-heat transfer
material that could also be a composite or polymer. Other materials
of construction being partially or completely constructed of, could
be used for the plurality of fingers 55 as long as the functional
requirements are meet of adequate strength for a expanding the body
cavity 245 via manual force as exerted by the manual compression in
movement 40 and 51 of the structure 35 by the service provider 250
and also be autoclavable for sterilization purposes.
[0144] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 17, shown is an option for adding
the means 135 for fluid communication positioned adjacent to any
one of the plurality of fingers 55 and the means 140 for light
communication positioned adjacent to any one of the plurality of
fingers 55. The means 135 for fluid communication is operational to
remove or add fluids to the body cavity 245, as shown in use in
FIGS. 21 and 25 as desired for various procedures. The means 135
for fluid communication is preferably a flexible tube that can be
disposable and removably engagable to the fingers 55 or affixed and
autoclaveable, the means 135 and can optionally be anything else
that can meet the disclosed functional requirements. The means 140
for light communication is operational to add light to the body
cavity 245, as shown in use in FIGS. 21 and 25 as desired for
various examination procedures. The means 140 for light
communication is preferably a fiber optic type tube that can be
disposable and removably engagable to the fingers 55 or affixed and
autoclavable, the means 140 can be optionally be anything else that
can meet the disclosed functional requirements.
[0145] A further option for the means 110 for moving the fingers 55
is sized and configured to have an increasing mechanical advantage
145 in proceeding from the stowed state 65 to the open state 70, as
best shown in FIGS. 8 and 18. Wherein the increasing mechanical
advantage 145 is between the manually movable structure 35 and the
plurality of fingers 55 that is operational to increase an opening
force 150 of at least one of the plurality of fingers 55 from the
stowed state 65 to the open state 70 for a substantially fixed
manual force 155 on the structure 35 in proceeding from the stowed
state 65 to the open state 70. Focusing again upon FIGS. 8 and 18,
the increasing mechanical advantage 145 occurs due to a dynamic
length change 61 of the moment arm 60 as viewed as the effective
distance between the pivotal axis 66 and pivotal axis 67 and the
flexible element 170 or linkages 210 cable adjacent portion 185 or
pivotal connection 211 respectively, that applies to examination
apparatus embodiments 30, 31, and 32. Looking in particular at FIG.
8 for the flexible elements 170 of the examination apparatus 31,
the moment arm 60 at any given static position forms a constant
moment arm length between the pivot 66 and the cable attachment
point 185 when viewed perpendicular to the moment arm axis 64,
however a dynamic moment arm length change 61 occurs when the
moment arm 60 actively pivots about the pivotal axis 66 swinging
the moment arm 60 through an arc type of motion 151 wherein the
flexible element 170 moves 186 lengthwise in a juxtapose manner,
i.e. parallel to its original position, and in this scenario the
dynamic moment arm length 61 changes by an amount equal to the
mechanical advantage distance 145 when viewed perpendicular to the
flexible element 170 axis 171 as shown in length change 61 in FIG.
8.
[0146] The effect of this length change 61 is to change the finger
55 applied force 150 with a substantially constant amount of force
155 manually applied to the structure 35, as best shown in FIG. 8
in comparing the solid and dashed lines for two positions of the
moment arm 60 and the flexible element 170. The benefit of the
aforementioned length change 61 or dynamic moment arm is to have
the finger 55 force 150 increase for instance as the finger 55
meets more opening force 150 resistance from the body cavity 245
the further the finger 55 progresses from the stowed state 65 to
the open state 70, while at the same time only requiring a
substantially constant force 155 manually placed upon the structure
35 by the service provider 250. Note that this dynamic moment arm
length change 61 and aforementioned benefit applies equally well to
the first finger 56 and the second finger 58 both as shown in FIG.
8, wherein basically the primary difference between the first
finger 56 and the second finger 58 is their respective axis of
pivotal rotation 66 and 67 being about ninety degrees apart,
wherein the basic workings of the means 110 is substantially the
same for the first finger 56 and the second finger 58.
[0147] Thus as best shown in FIG. 8, the means 110 is preferably
comprised of the structure 35 that is manually put through the
first selective movement 40 by the service provider 250, wherein
this first selective movement 40 translates into flexible element
170 through motion 186 that pivotally attaches 185 to the moment
arm 60 that acts through pivotal axis 66 and 67 ultimately
resulting in finger 55 force 150 for both the first finger 56 and
the second finger 58. Typically the flexible elements 170 are
preferably cables 180 for strength, flexibility, light weight, and
the ability to be autoclaved, the preferred cables 180 are any
combinations or singular material that can meet the functional
requirements disclosed especially pertaining to accommodating force
150 and autoclaving. Other ways to accomplish the means 110 would
be acceptable also that could include shafting in conjunction with
gear drives, or other cable/linkage arrangements that would
accomplish the function of moving the fingers 55 from the stowed
state 65 to the open state 70 and vice versa.
[0148] Looking at particular to FIGS. 9 and 10 in conjunction with
FIG. 8, as a further option on the means 110 for moving the fingers
55 can be sized and configured to have a selectable increasing
mechanical advantage 160 in proceeding from the stowed state 65 to
said open state 70. Wherein the selectable increasing mechanical
advantage 160 is between the manually movable structure 35 and the
plurality of fingers 55 that is operational to selectably increase
an opening force 150 on at least one of the plurality of fingers 55
from the stowed state 65 to the open state 70 for a substantially
fixed manual force 155 on the structure 35 in proceeding from the
stowed state 65 to 70 open state.
[0149] Starting with FIG. 9, the means 110 selectable increasing
advantage 160 is preferably a selectable device 200 that utilizes a
threaded portion 203 of the moment arm that is threadably engaged
to both a lock nut 202 and a retaining nut 201, wherein the nuts
201 and 202 sandwich the flexible element 170, thereby facilitating
a selectable change in moment arm length 62 that is operational to
vary the finger 55 force 150 initially from the stowed state 65 of
the fingers 55 with a given manual substantially constant force 155
from the service provider 250 on the structure 35 that resolves
itself through the flexible element 170 movement 186 with the
resulting increase or decrease in moment arm 60 length 62
facilitating a change in finger 55 force 150 through the finger 55
movement from the stowed state 65 to the open state 70.
Alternatives to the selectable device 200 could include a snap
adjustment, a ratcheting arrangement, or any other device that
could accomplish the selectable increasing advantage 160 that is
autoclavable and can withstand the substantially constant force
155. Note that this is distinguished from the dynamic change in
moment arm length 61 that is not due to the adjustment of the nuts
201 and 202, as the dynamic moment arm length 61 change is from the
pivotal movement of the moment arm 60 through movement 151 not
being due to the device 200. Also, concerning FIG. 10, the same
disclosure would apply as used for FIG. 9, with the distinction
being that FIG. 9 is for the first finger 56 and FIG. 10 is for the
second finger 58.
[0150] Further, another optional adjustment for the means 110 could
be utilized as is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 also, in looking
specifically at the cable nut 183 that is threadably engaged to a
portion 184 of the cable to allow for adjustment of the cable 180
length 181 in relation to the finger 55 to accommodate variance in
the finger 55 positions for the stowed state 65 and the open state
70 and also to allow adjustability in the sequential movement 95
and 105 specifically for the first finger 56 to un-nest 75 prior to
the second finger 58 un-nesting 75 to better facilitate finger 55
movement from the stowed state 65 to the open state 70. Focusing on
FIGS. 20 and 24, the retention element 255 is shown that is
optional for retaining the examination apparatus 30, 31, or 32 to
the creature or patient 240 or to an article disposed upon the
creature or patient 240, wherein the retention element 255 has a
removable engagement to the creature or patient 240.
[0151] Continuing in looking at the examination apparatus, in
alternative embodiment 32, as shown in FIGS. 11 through 18 includes
a manually movable structure 35 having a first selective movement
40 from a free state 45 to a compressed state 50 and a second
selective movement 51, being a return movement 52 from the
compressed state 50 to the free state 45. Further included in the
examination apparatus 32 are the plurality of fingers 55 disposed
adjacent to the structure 35, the fingers 55 having a stowed state
65 and an open state 70, the stowed state 65 having a nested
relationship 75 between the fingers 55 to reduce a silhouette 90 of
a leading edge profile 85 of the plurality of fingers 55 in the
stowed state 65, as best shown in FIGS. 11, 13, and 15 for the
nested relationship 75, wherein the nested relationship 75 further
facilitates easier insertion of the plurality of fingers 55 into
the cavity 245 as best shown in FIGS. 23, and 24, by not requiring
a precise fit between the fingers 55, this as opposed to fingers
that are symmetrically disposed as to one another that do require a
more precise fit to one another for a smooth multiple finger body
cavity insertion profile. The open state 70 requiring a selected
sequential movement 95 of each finger 55 to one another to proceed
from the nested relationship 75 to the open state 70.
[0152] Furthermore on the means 110 for moving the fingers 55 can
also optionally further include a means 120 for urging the second
finger 58 into the stowed state 65 through movement 121 as best
shown in FIG. 18, thus operationally the means 120 can help ensure
that the second finger 58 is nested 75 within the first finger 56
during the reverse movement of the fingers 55 in going from the
open state 70 to the stowed state 65, as shown in going from FIG.
12 to FIG. 11 and in going from FIG. 14 to FIG. 13, also in going
from FIG. 16 to FIG. 15, thus the second finger 58 moves 121 to the
nested relationship 75 prior to the first finger 56 moving to the
nested relationship 75. Further on the means 120 for urging the
second finger 58 into the stowed state 65 is preferably a spring
126 as best shown in FIGS. 11 through 14 and FIG. 17.
Alternatively, the means 120 could be elastomeric, a torsional
spring, spiral spring, or any other equivalents for accomplishing
the aforementioned urging function.
[0153] The examination apparatus embodiment 32 also includes an
assemblage 205 for moving the plurality of fingers 55 from the
stowed state 65 to the open state 70, wherein the assemblage 205
includes a plurality of linkages 210 that communicate movement 215
from the manually movable structure 35 to the plurality of fingers
55 while accommodating the selected sequential movement 95 in
proceeding from the stowed state 65 to the open state 70 and
reversing the sequential movement 95 in proceeding from the open
state 70 to the stowed state 65, all as best shown in FIGS. 11
through 17, with a schematic representation in FIG. 18. Essentially
the alternative embodiment 32 of the examination apparatus replaces
the flexible elements 170 of the examination apparatus embodiment
31 with the linkages 210, wherein the fingers 55 operation and
structure are the same as previously described. Thus, the
sequential movement 105 is built into the linkages 210 pivotal
relationship to the moment arms 60, in looking at FIG. 18, and
FIGS. 11 through 17, wherein the first finger 56 moves 151
initially prior to the second finger 58 moving 151 to allow for the
stowed state 65 of the fingers 55 to un-nest 75 and proceed to the
open state 70 and following in reverse the second finger 58 has
movement 151 prior toward the stowed state 65 before the first
finger 56 movement 151 toward the stowed state 65 to allow for the
re-nesting relationship 75.
[0154] Focusing in particular on FIG. 18 for the examination
apparatus 32 alternative embodiment the assemblage 205 is shown
schematically for moving the fingers 55 further includes the
plurality of linkages 210 each being constructed a substantially
rigid extension 220 that is adjacent 225 to a pivotal moment arm 60
of each of the plurality of fingers 55, with the extension 220 also
being adjacent to a movable portion 36 of the structure 35 on an
opposing end 230 of the extension 220. Wherein the assemblage 205
is sized and configured 235 to be operational for at least one of
the fingers 55 to have an increasing mechanical advantage
facilitated by an effective change in a moment arm length 61 of the
pivotal moment arm 60 in proceeding from the stowed state 65 to the
open state 70. Wherein the increasing mechanical advantage is
between the manually movable structure 35 and the plurality of
fingers 55 that is operational to increase an opening force 150 on
at least one of the plurality of fingers 55 from the stowed state
65 to the open state 70 for a fixed substantially constant manual
force 155 on the structure 35 in proceeding from the stowed state
65 to the open state 70. In looking closely at FIG. 18, the dynamic
moment arm 61 increase can be seen at the increasing mechanical
advantage 145 from the extension 220 adjacent position 225 on the
moment arm 60 in going from the solid line position to the dashed
line position, i.e. from the stowed state 65 to the open state 70.
This increasing mechanical advantage would apply to both the first
finger 56 and the second finger 58, as both are shown in FIG. 18.
Thus, the increased moment arm for increasing mechanical advantage
145 results in a greater force 150 available for the finger 55 from
a substantially constant force 155 as manually applied to the
structure 35 by the service provider 250, to accommodate a high
cavity 245 resistance as against the finger 55 as the finger 55
approaches the full open state 70.
[0155] Typically the linkages 210 are preferably rigid extensions
220 for strength, flexibility, light weight, and the ability to be
autoclaved, the preferred materials of construction are stainless
steel. Alternative materials would include composites, polymers, or
any other material that meets the needs for strength as against the
manual substantially constant force 155 and autoclavable.
Method of Use
[0156] Referring in particular to FIGS. 19 through 26, shown is the
typical use of the examination apparatus 30, 31, or 32. As
previously alluded to, the stowed state 65 with the fingers 55
nested 75 allows for the streamlined finger 55 leading edge profile
85 to help promote the ease of multiple finger 55 insertion into
the cavity 245 by the service provider 250 by preferably grasping
the structure 35 as best shown in FIGS. 19, 20, 23, and 24. Once
inserted the examination apparatus 30, 31, or 32 can have the
fingers 55 proceed to the open state 70 by the service provider 250
applying substantially constant manual force 155 for the first
movement 40 selectively to expand the cavity 245 of the creature or
patient 240, as best shown in FIGS. 21, 22, 25, and 26. The field
of view 260 facilitates the service provider 250 performing
observations, doing various procedures, and the like, and as shown
in FIGS. 22 and 26, the service provider 250 utilizing optional
accessories such as the fluid communication and/or light
communication as shown in FIG. 17. Further, an optional retainer
element 255, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 24, can be used to help
secure the examination apparatus 30, 31, or 32 to the creature or
patent 240 in potential situations wherein the service provider 250
would find it difficult to maintain a firm grasp on the structure
35, due to other tasks being performed.
CONCLUSION
[0157] Accordingly, the present invention of an examination
apparatus 30, 31, or 32 has been described with some degree of
particularity directed to the embodiment(s) of the present
invention. It should be appreciated, though; that the present
invention is defined by the following claims construed in light of
the prior art so modifications or changes may be made to the
exemplary embodiment(s) of the present invention without departing
from the inventive concepts contained therein.
* * * * *