GB2221535A - Multi-functional clinical instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention aims to provide a clinical instrument which avoids the need for hospital doctors to carry numerous pieces of separate equipment. A tape measure is accommodated in a boss 101 which serves as the head of a reflex hammer whose shaft is formed by two limbs, one 103 fixed to the boss and one 105 pivotable which also act as the limbs for an angle rule and vernier callipers. Additional parts comprise pivotable fingers 121, 123 for the vernier calliper, a linear rule 125 and needles 216. The lock mechanism for the tape has confronting surfaces biased to hold the tape with press action to release. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: Multi-functional Clinical Instrument DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to a multi-function clinical instrument.

Clinicians in hospital or in general practice require at certain times to use a measuring tape, a reflex hammer, a Goniometer (angle rule), vernier callipers, a needle/pin, a linear scale, an E.C.G.

scale and an obstetric scale. Presently all these items are made as separate instruments and are available in various shapes and sizes.

With separate instruments, one or other is inevitably sometimes unavailable at the right moment, this is particularly true in the case of the measuring tape, goniometer and pin. Vernier callipers have never been considered seriously to be added to the clinicians armoury. Above all carrying reflex hammers with long sticks, unsafe naked pins, using keys for plantar reflex and carrying goniometer with separate measuring tape is cumbersome filling up already loaded pockets of junior doctors and medical students.

An aim of the present invention is to overcome the aforesaid problem.

Accordingly the invention provides a clinical instrument comprising in combination any two or more elements selected from a tape measure, an angle rule, vernier callipers, a reflex hammer, one or more needles, a linear scale, an E.C.G scale and an obstetrics scale.

The preferred embodiment combines all of the above elements, to provide a neat compact versatile instrument, although the last two elements are optional.

The preferred embodiment of the instrument comprises two limbs which are hingingly interconnected towards one end about a pivot axis. Coaxial with that pivot axis is a hollow circular boss which accommodates the tape measure of flexible (say, metal, plastics or fabric, preferably the latter) retractable type preferably having one end arranged to project from the circumference of the boss. A locking mechanism is provided to hold and release the tape as required and is described further hereinafter. Preferably it provides auto-hold and a press to release function.

The boss can be said to form the main body of the instrument to which the limbs may be attached releasably. Approximately half the circumference of the boss (actually 135 degrees in our preferred embodiment) is conveniently covered or fitted with a rubber-like material to serve as the head of a reflex hammer.

The two limbs may be used as a goniometer by hinging about the pivot axis and an end of one limb hereinafter referred to as the movable limb is provided with a pointer for reading off angles marked on an end face of the boss fixed relative to the other limb (hereinafter referred to as the fixed limb).

In one embodiment a pointed needle, say with a blunt domed shaped knob to one end, is conveniently received in a bore in the end of one of the limbs preferably the fixed limb. In the preferred embodiment the head is elongate extending transverse to the axis of the needle to form the end of the limb, and such that a twist action provides side extending parts for ease of withdrawal. Preferably each limb is provided with a needle. More preferably the head of at least one needle has one or more through apertures to receive the other needle for spacing the points at prescribed distances, say 2 mm, 4 mm or 8 mm. The points are arranged to be aligned by suitable dimensioning of the needle length. Alternatively, the needle may be constructed to provide two points at a prescribed spacing.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a locking mechanism for an extensible and retractible flexible tape measuring device comprising mutually confronting surfaces between which the measuring tape tis movable, one of which surfaces is carried by a lever movably mounted in a housing of the device and subject to a biasing force to urge said confronting surfaces towards one another to hold the tape therebetween, and wherein the lever is movable against the biasing force to release the hold on the tape.

Said mechanism is applicable to the aforementioned clinical instrument and provides an advantageous construction thereof.

More particularly the lever is configured to conform substantially to the external shape of the housing. The lever is preferably mounted pivotally, with biasing action provided by a leaf spring or coil spring. The relative orientation of the confronting surfaces relative to the fulcrum position is such as to give rise to an enhanced holding force under the action of any retraction force applied to the tape - such as by an internal tape return spring.

Reverting to the instrument construction, it may be advantageous to have one or both of the limbs releasably secured to the body to facilitate replacement by limbs for use in vernier measurement.

In one embodiment flip out metal strips are attached to the ends of the two limbs. The distance between the tip of these strips can be measured on the measuring tape, or with a linear scale also pivotally attached in a flip out manner to one of the limbs, preferably the movable limb. Alternatively, but less preferably replacement limbs may be provided for vernier measurement, such limbs having such as curved ends hinged towards and away from one another, and a vernier scale provided for reading off distance between the ends. Such scale may be on the aforementioned body say as a semi-circular scale calibrated as a linear scale in millimetres and centimetres. The alternative is a flip out scale from one of the limbs, to intersect the other limb to give measurement.

For convenience the E.C.G. scale can be on one limb and the obstetric scale on the other limb.

The present invention will now be described further by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front elevational view of- the device in its closed up position; Figure 2 is a front elevational view with the limbs partially opened and vernier strips hinged out; Figure 3 is a rear elevational view with the limbs partially opened and linear scale partially hinged out and needle separate; Figure 4 is a side view; Figures 5 and 6 are elevational views of vernier callipers limbs to replace the limbs of Figures 1 to 3; Figure 7 illustrates in plan a preferred embodiment of the instrument; Figure 8 is a side view of the embodiment of Figure 7; Figure 9 is a view of one limb marked with an obsterics scale; ; Figures 10a, b and c are alternative configurations for the needle, and Figure 11 is a fragmentary plan view of a locking mechanism.

The drawings of Figures 1 to 4 show one embodiment of instrument according to the invention comprising a boss 1, to which a first limb 3 is fixedly attached (the fixed limb) and to which a second limb 5 is pivotally attached (the movable limb) to move pivotally about axis 7.

The boss is circular and has a dial marked on one side which is marked around its periphery in degrees and the movable limb 5 has a pointed end which reads off against the scale to give a reading of the angle of which the two limbs are apart.

The boss is hollow and accommodates a flexible type tape measure 11. The tape may be metallic, polyester or other synthetic material. A spring within the boss ensures that it is tightly wound to prevent rattling also providing a retraction force. A press operated button 12 (see Figure 4) is accessible externally to lock the tape in an extended position.

The edges of the boss are rounded, and around approximately half the circumference, probably more, is fixed a firm hardish rubber or like material 13, preferably lying in a groove (not shown) in the circumference. A diameter of 5.5 cm including the rubber and a depth of 1 cm is sufficient to accommodate a 150 cm tape.

The two limbs facilitate use of the instrument as a goniometer (i.e. angle rule). The first limb is approximately 15 cm long by 1.5 cm wide and 0.3 cm thick. The second limb is larger than the first and has the above described pointer. The movable limb is pivoted on a spindle threaded at the end to receive a nut holding the limb on the spindle and providing a means of adjusting the resistance to movement, even providing a locking function at an angle.

A needle is illustrated in Figure 3 has a blunt dome shaped top for use in conducting plantar reflex tests. The needle may be carried in the end of either limb and is shown in the end of the second limb, but is in fact preferred to be in the first (fixed) limb. The needle is preferably 6.5 cm long and 2 mm in diameter.

The top of the needle is painted red so that it can be used to test the field of vision by confrontation method.

The second limb has a linear scale (preferably etched) on one half of its surface as illustrated at 15 and can be between 12 and 15 cm long. The other half 17 of the second limb can be occupied by an E.C.G.

scale (not illustrated) whilst an obstettric scale (not illustrated) occupies the whole of the surface 19 of the fixed limb 3.

A vernier calliper function is provided by having respective flip out metal strips 21, 23 carried on the end of each of the limbs 3, 5. The distance between the ends can be measured using the tape measure or using a calibrated flip out scale as shown at 25 pivotally secured to the movable limb.

As an alternative, to the above described embodiment, the first and second limbs may be releasably attached to the boss to be replaced by vernier callipers legs 31, 33 such as that illustrated in Figure 5 and 6 with leg 31 serving as a fixed leg relative to the boss and leg 37 the movable one pivotable about said spindle. The legs are curved to measuring ends 35, 37. The distance at the ends can be read off on a semi-circular scale marked on the circumference of the boss and calibrated for linear measurement take off. The alternate is a flip out scale 39, which is read off according to the position it is intersected by leg 33.

Reference is now made to Figures 7 to 10 which shows a modified embodiment of clinical instrument.

Corresponding parts use the same reference numerals but advanced by 100.

There is illustrated a boss 101 to which a first limb 103 is fixedly attached (the fixed limb) and to which a movable limb 105 is pivotally secured. The limbs are movable between open and closed positions and overlie one another in the closed position. The boss is circular and hollow to receive a spring return flexible tape mechanism of which the tape end is shown at 200, and the locking/release lever at 112 (described further hereinafter with reference to Figure 11). The boss is marked with a degree scale as at 203 and carries around approximately 135 degrees of its periphery a rubber material 113. The movable limb 105 is pointed at 205 for reading off its angle relative to the fixed limb. Figure 7 shows the movable limb carrying engraved scales for measuring heart rate, pulse, etc. from the standard graphs.Figure 9 shows the arm marked with an obstetrics scale and may be on the reverse side or as an alternative to the above mentioned scales shown in Figure 7. A further alternative is to have the obstetrics scale engraved on the fixed limb.

Also shown in Figure 7 are flip out fingers 121,123 pivotally mounted on the arms 103 and 105 respectively on mutually adjacent faces for concealment when folded away when the limbs are folded together. A linear scale 125 is pivotally secured to the limb 105 and is marked off so that the zero point coincides with the tip of the limb 123 whereby is can be used to measure distance between the fingers 121,123 when being used as a vernier calliper.

The ends of the limbs 103,105 are each formed in the illustrated embodiment by head parts 215 of a needle 216. Each needle fits into a bore (not illustrated) in the end of the limb. The needle may take any of the forms illustrated with reference to Figures lOa-c, or a combination thereof. Figure 10a shows a single point needle whilst Figure lOb also shows a single point needle, but the head has through bores 217,217' whereby the needle 216 may be passed therethrough for positioning the then adjacent points at prescribed distances for testing sensitivity.

Figure 10c shows an alternative with a twin pointed needle 216". Alternatively, the needles may be arranged to fit together say in a clip together manner.

It will be understood that the head parts 215 can be readily twisted about the axis of the needle 216 whereby opposite ends project clear of the side faces of the limbs thereby facilitating easy removal. It is preferred to have one head part coloured red and the other white for sight testing. Another useful function of the device.

Referring now the Figure 11 there is shown a fragmentary view of a locking mechanisam for a flexible measuring tape such as that incorporated in the aforedescribed clinical instrument. Part of a housing for the measuring tape is shown at 300 and in the preferred form has a circular periphery. The tape and its retraction system is conventional and hence is not described further suffice it to say that it utilises a spring retraction system. The tape indicated schematically by the dotted line 323 has an end tag to prevent complete retraction. The locking mechanism is formed by confronting surfaces 305,307 of which 305 is formed as part of the housing and is fixed relative thereto, whilst ' 307 is carried by a movable locking/release member 309. Member 309 is pivotally mounted in the housing about fulcrum 311. The outer periphery 313 of the member 309 is configured to conform substantially to the peripheral shape of the housing, ie. arcuate is circular in the illustrated embodiment so as to be substantially flush therewith.

In fact we prefer end 313' to be slightly raised above the adjacent periphery when the member is in its holding position.

A spring 321 is provided to bias the member 309 outwardly into its holding position, ie. urging surfaces 305,307 together. That action together with the pivoting of the member 309 ensures that any retraction force on the tape is resisted and actually generates an increased holding force, and yet extension is readily accommodated as the member is free to pivot (anti-clockwise in the illustration).

Release of the held tape is only possible by physically applying force to the member 309 ie.

pressing inwardly to overcome the spring bias. The spring may be a coil spring 321, as illustrated, or a leaf spring. The inner side of the member 309 is shown as radiused at 323 to allow smooth passage of the tape, a sharper angle is optional.

Existing proposals for taking off readings against physical scales may be replaced by appropriate electronic read outs i.e. digital LCD systems, e.g.

electronic digital reading of gonimeter, vernier scale and length measurements. The electronic module and display can be incorporated into the body of the device with the display to the reverse side of that presently calibrated.

Claims (18)

1. A clinical instrument comprising in combination any two or more elements selected from a tape measure, an angle rule, vernier callipers, a reflex hammer, one or more needles, a linear scale, an E.C.G. scale and an obstetrics scale.

2. A clinical instrument as claimed in claim 1 comprising all the said elements of or associated in one instrument.

3. A clinical instrument as claimed in claim 1 or 2 and comprising two limbs which are hingedly interconnected and movable between open and closed positions.

4. A clinical instrument as claimed in claim 3 in which the two limbs overlie one another in the closed position.

5. A clinical instrument as claimed in claim 3 or 4 in which one limb depends from a boss which accommodates the tape measure.

6. A clinical instrument as claimed in any preceding claim in which tape measure has a locking mechanism which is biased to hold the tape at any position and has to be positively activated against the biasing action to release the tape.

7. A clinical instrument as claimed in claim 6 in which the biasing allows extension of the tape without physical activation of the locking mechanism.

8. A clinical instrument as claimed in claim 5 or any one of claims 6 or 7 when appended to claim 5 in which the boss has a rubber material about at least part of its periphery and serves as head of the reflex hammer.

9. A clinical instrument as claimed in claim 3 or any subsequent claim when appended to claim 3 in which means are provided for reading off angle of the movable limb relative to the fixed limb.

10. A clinical instrument as claimed in claim 3 or any of the subsequent claims when appended to claim 3 in which one or both limbs have provisions to accommodate one needle in the end thereof.

11. A clinical instrument as claimed in claim 10 in which one needle is configured for association with another for prescribed spacing the needle points.

12. A clinical instrument as claimed in claim 11 in which the configuring comprises through aperturing in a head part of one needle.

13. A clinical instrument as claimed in any one of claims 10, 11 or 12 in which the needle is received rotatably in the limb and its head part has a greater transverse length than its width.

14. A clinical instrument constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated with reference to Figures 1 to 4 or 7 to 10 or as modified by Figures 5 and 6.

15. A locking mechanism for an extensible and retractible flexible tape measuring device comprising mutually confronting surfaces between which the measuring tape is movable, one of which surfaces is carried by a lever movably mounted in a housing of the device and subject to a biasing force to urge said confronting surface towards one another to hold the tape therebetween, and wherein the lever is movable against the biasing force to release the hold on the tape.

16. A mechanism as claimed in claim 15 in which the lever is configured to conform substantially to the external shape of the housing.

17. A mechanism as claimed in claim 15 or 16 in which the lever is mounted pivotally and biased by a spring.

18. A locking mechanism for an extensible and retractible flexible tape measuring device constructed and arranged and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing of Figure 11.