GB2482348A

GB2482348A - A speculum having a nut shaped to be gripped

Info

Publication number: GB2482348A
Application number: GB1012892.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Cuckson; Patrick South
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-07-30
Filing date: 2010-07-30
Publication date: 2012-02-01
Also published as: GB201012892D0

Abstract

A device for restraining an apparatus for inspecting the human or animal body is disclosed. An externally threaded securing member 102 extends from an apparatus and is provided with an internally threaded securing element 103. The internal thread of the securing element rotationally engages with the external thread of the securing member so as to move between a released condition and a secured condition. The securing element has a leading profile 401 and a trailing profile 402. The diameter of the trailing profile 402 is smaller than the diameter of the leading profile 401. In this way, the trailing profile is easily grip-able with a clinicians fingers, to facilitate rotation from the released condition to the secured condition in response to a single twist or spin.

Description

I

Restraining Device and a Method of Manufacture

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application represents the first application for a patent directed towards the invention and the subject matter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a device for restraining an apparatus for inspecting the human or animal body, comprising an externally threaded * . **S.

securing member extending from the apparatus and an internally threaded * * *:*::* 10 securing element. *..

2. Description of the Related Art

Medical apparatus are known that may be restrained in a secured condition by a restraining device, comprising an externally threaded securing member extending from the apparatus and an internally threaded securing element. Often, the apparatus is deployed by a single clinician and it is preferable for the deployment to be executed in a smooth unhindered manner, thereby minimising discomfort to the patient.

Apparatus of this type is often of the single use variety, fabricated from plastic mouldings. Consequently, threaded elements tend to be of a lighter construction (due to their disposable nature) compared to reusable devices usually fabricated from metal. In known devices, it is often necessary for significant mechanical interaction to be required on the part of the clinician in order to fully rotate threaded members so as to restrain the apparatus in the secured condition.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for restraining an apparatus for inspecting the human or animal body, comprising an externally threaded securing member extending from said apparatus and an internally threaded securing element, wherein: the internal *...*, 10 thread of said securing element rotationally engages with the external thread *,t of said securing member so has to move between a released condition and a secured condition; said securing element as leading profile; and said securing element has a trailing profile with a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of said leading profile so as to be engagable within a clinicians fingers so facilitate rotation from said released condition to said secured condition in response to a single twist.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing an apparatus for inspecting the human or animal body, comprising the steps of: moulding a first component and moulding a second component; attaching an externally threaded securing member to said first component; assembling said first component with said second component, in which said externally threaded securing member extends through a hole in said second component; engaging an internally threaded securing element with said externally threaded securing member to define a restraining device, such that: the internal thread of the securing element rotationally engages with the external thread of the securing member so has to move between a released condition and a secured condition said securing element has a leading profile; and said securing element has a trailing profile with a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of said leading profile so as to be engagable with a clinicians fingers to facilitate rotation from said released condition to said secured condition in response to a single twist.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

io Figure 1 shows an apparatus for inspecting the human or animal body; * Figure 2 shows the apparatus of Figure 1 in an operational condition; * ** Figure 3 shows the transfer of a securing element from a released condition to a secured condition; S. US Figure 4 shows the securing element of the apparatus of Figure 1 in S..... * )

closer detail; Figure 5 shows the apparatus of previous Figures with the securing element in the secured condition; Figure 6 shows the apparatus of the invention in a passive condition during manufacture; and Figure 7 shows the apparatus of the invention in an operational condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 An apparatus for inspecting the human or animal body is illustrated in Figure 1. The example shown in Figure 1 is a vaginal speculum but it should be appreciated that embodiments of the invention have application with other medical inventions.

A device is provided for restraining the apparatus when performing an inspection, consisting of an externally threaded securing member 102 and an internally threaded securing element 103. The internal thread of the securing element 103 rotationally engages with the external thread of the securing * * member so as to move between a released condition and a secured condition.

*:*::* Initially, upon insertion, the apparatus is in its released condition, as . shown in Figure 1. ** ** * * *

* * Figure2 * * Having inserted the apparatus to initiate the medical intervention, pressure is applied, as illustrated in Figure 2, such that the apparatus is placed in its operational condition. However, at this point, the securing element 103 is still in its released condition and the removal of manual pressure would result in the apparatus returning to the configuration as illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 3 To transfer the securing element 103 from its released condition, as shown in Figure 2, to its secured condition as shown in Figure 5, the clinician twists the securing element 103 in a manner substantially similar to spinning a top so as to cause the securing element to rotate and thereby travel down the securing element in the direction of arrow 301.

Figure 4 The securing element has a leading profile 401, ensuring that the apparatus is secured when the securing element has travelled to its secured condition. In addition, the securing element has a trailing profile 402 with a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the leading profile so as to be engagable with the clinicians fingers. In this way, the rotational operation is *sS* facilitated such that it is possible to deploy sufficient rotational energy upon the *S* * * * securing element to ensure that it is transferred from the released condition to the secured condition under the operation of a single twist. With this way, the I.. *

manipulation may be performed in a very smooth manner thereby causing minimal discomfort to the patient. *S* * S

In this embodiment, the trailing profile 402 is a concave trailing profile, although it should be appreciated that other configurations are possible in order to achieve the required diameter reduction thereby facilitating the rotational operation.

In the embodiment of Figure 4, the concave trailing profile has a plurality of grooves 403 to enhance gripping characteristics.

In the embodiment of Figure 3, the leading profile is a convex leading profile. The convex leading profile 401 of Figure 4 includes a plurality of grooves 404 and in the embodiment the grooves run from the convex leading profile and extend over the trailing profile.

In the embodiment of Figure 4, there is an immediate transition 405 from the convex leading profile 401 to the concave trailing profile 403.

Figure 5 Having twisted the securing element resulting in it travelling in the direction of arrow 301 the element will be held in its secured condition such that the clinicians fingers may be removed while the apparatus remains in its operational condition, In an embodiment, the internal thread and the external thread are fabricated with tolerances so as to provide substantially smooth rotational engagement without interference (which would require further ** ..S mechanical intervention) and without excessive lateral movement, which would * render the securing element loose and susceptible to rattling. For additional

S *

smooth movement, in an embodiment, a lubricant is added, such as a food grade silicate.

****** * * Figure 6 The apparatus of the invention is shown in Figure 6 in a passive condition during manufacture of the apparatus with the operational condition shown in comparison in Figure 7.

In an embodiment, the first component 601 and the second component 602 are moulded in polycarbonate. By using this material, it is possible for significant force to be applied manually without the apparatus breaking or cracking when transitioned from the passive condition of Figure 6 to the operational condition of Figure 7.

The threaded securing member 102 is manufactured as part of the moulding piece of first component 601 such that the externally threaded securing member 102 extends through a hole 603 in the second component 602.

The internally threaded securing element 103 is engaged with the externally threaded securing member 102 such that, in combination, the securing element and the securing member define a restraining device.

Figure 7 **** Ia After transitioning from the passive condition to the operational ****** condition illustrated in Figure 7 a twisting operation is performed upon the * trailing profile 402 of the securing element so has to place the securing

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element In its secured condition. I. ** * , I * * * * S

Claims

Claims 1. A device for restraining an apparatus for inspecting the human or animal body, comprising an externally threaded securing member extending from said apparatus and an internally threaded securing element, wherein: the internal thread of said securing element rotationally engages with the external thread of said securing member so as to move between a released condition and a secured condition; said securing element has a leading profile; and said securing element has trailing profile with a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of said leading profile so as to be engagable with a clinician's fingers to facilitate rotation from said released condition to said *:*::* secured condition in response to a single twist.
2. The device of claim 1 attached to a vaginal specutum.

*.. 15
3. The device of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is a single use apparatus constructed from polycarbonate.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein said trailing profile is a concave trailing profile.
5. The device of claim 4, wherein said concave trailing profile has a plurality of groves to enhance gripping characteristics.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein said leading profile is a convex leading profile.
7. The device of claim 6, including a plurality of grooves that run from said convex leading profile and extend over said trailing profile.
8. The device of claim 6, including an immediate transition from said convex leading profile to said concave trailing profile. * * **.*
9. The device of claim 1, wherein said internal thread and said external thread are fabricated with tolerances such as to provide substantially *. smooth rotational engagement without interference and without excessive lateral movement. *I

*..4s' 15 * *
10. The device of claim 1, including a lubricant to facilitate rotational engagement.
11. A method of manufacturing an apparatus for inspecting the human or animal body, comprising the steps of: moulding a first component comprising an externally threaded securing member and moulding a second component; assembling said first component with said second component, in which said externally threaded securing member extends through a hole in said second component; engaging an internally threaded securing element with said externally threaded securing member to define a restraining device, such that: the internal thread of the securing element rotationally engages with the external thread of the securing member so has to move between a released condition and a secured condition said securing element has a leading profile; and said securing element has a trailing profile with a diameter that is lo smaller than the diameter of said leading profile so as to be engagable with a clinicians fingers to facilitate rotation from said released condition to said secured condition in response to a single twist.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein said apparatus is a single use apparatus constructed from polycarbonate.
I 3. The method of claim II, wherein said trailing profile is a concave trailing profile.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein said concave trailing profile has a plurality of grooves to enhance gripping characteristics.
15. The method of claim 11, wherein said leading profile is a convex leading profile. * * * S..*.S S. * , * .__ * . S * S.SS S. ** *( SSS S