SYSTEM FOR ACCESSING BODY ORIFICE AND METHOD
First Claim
1. A device for accessing a body orifice, comprising:
- an outer shell having a proximal end, a distal end, and a central bore;
an inner shell coaxial with the outer shell; and
one or more fluid channels defined between an outer surface of the inner shell and the inner surface of the outer shell.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device for accessing a body orifice is disclosed. The device may include a speculum body having an outer shell and an inner shell nested within the outer shell. A plurality of fluidic channels may be defined in the interstitial space between the inner and outer shells. The outer shell may be configured as an optical waveguide. The inner shell central bore may be configured for viewing and suction. The device may include a speculum body having a tapered shape. The body may be expandable to expand muscles surrounding a body orifice. Programmable controllers, viewing, recording, and communications systems are also described. Methods of using and forming the devices are also described.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. A device for accessing a body orifice, comprising:
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an outer shell having a proximal end, a distal end, and a central bore; an inner shell coaxial with the outer shell; and one or more fluid channels defined between an outer surface of the inner shell and the inner surface of the outer shell. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A portable system for removing ear wax from an ear canal of a patient, the system comprising:
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a speculum having an inner portion nested within an outer portion, the speculum having one or more fluid channels formed between the inner surface of the outer portion and the outer surface of the inner portion, and an inner bore defined at least in part by the inner surface of the inner portion; a source of fluid in fluid communication with the one or more fluid channels; a vacuum source in communication with the inner bore for removing fluid and ear wax; a pump for transferring fluid from the source of fluid to the one or more fluid channels; an artificial illumination source configured to provide light through the speculum to the ear canal; and a controller in communication with the pump for delivering fluid to the ear canal according to a predetermined treatment routine. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A method of removing ear wax from an ear canal of a patient, the method comprising:
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inserting a speculum having a longitudinal axis into the ear canal; illuminating the ear wax within the ear canal with an artificial light source; viewing the illuminated ear wax through the speculum; irrigating the interior of the ear canal with one or more jets of irrigation fluid, wherein the one or more jets of irrigation fluid are ejected towards the ear canal walls from the speculum at a predetermined angle away from the longitudinal axis; dislodging at least a portion of the ear wax with the irrigation fluid while viewing the illuminated ear wax; and suctioning the irrigation fluid and the dislodged portion of the ear wax from the ear canal. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification