TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present subject matter relates to removal of foreign objects and, particularly but not exclusively, to removing foreign objects from a body cavity.

BACKGROUND

[0002] A problem frequently encountered by doctors, nurses and emergency personnel, such as emergency medical technicians, is the need to remove foreign objects that are lodged in a body cavity, such as ear or nasal canal. For example, foreign objects such as nuts, beads, and peas, may get accidently stuck inside such body cavities and have to be removed by medical personnel. In one example, a person may insert a cotton bud in the ear canal for blocking sound; however, the cotton bud may lodge inside the ear canal and may not be extractable with bare hands.

[0003] Further, the small size of the ear and nasal canal aggravates the job of removal of the foreign object. The small size does not provide enough space for medical personnel to manipulate a device inside the canal to grasp and remove the foreign object. Further compounding the difficulty in removing such foreign objects is the fact that both the ear and nasal canals are relatively sensitive parts of the human body.

[0004] Conventional devices and procedures to remove a foreign object from body cavities, as mentioned above, include use of a pair of forceps to remove the object. In certain other cases, the objects may be non-graspable and may not be removable by the forceps. In such cases, the non-graspable foreign objects lodged in the body cavity are removed with the help of other devices such as spatula, catheters for Eustachian tube, or similar make-shift devices.

SUMMARY

[0005] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to removal of a foreign object from a body cavity, and these concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is neither intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.. [0006] In one embodiment, a device for removing foreign objects lodged in a body cavity is described. According to said embodiment, the device includes a handle to grip the device during operation, and an access shaft portion for inserting into the body cavity. The access shaft portion includes a stationary extension fixedly coupled to the handle, a movable extension actuable with respect to the stationary extension, and a bending portion distal with respect to the handle. One end of the bending portion is coupled to the stationary extension at a first pivot and the bending portion is coupled to the movable extension at a second pivot for actuating about the first pivot. The device further includes an actuator coupled to the movable extension, and the actuator is actuable to provide movement to the movable extension for providing movement of the bending portion about the pivot.

[0007] According to another embodiment of the present subject matter, a method for removing a foreign object lodged in a body cavity using a device is described herein. In accordance with said embodiment, the method includes locating the foreign object inside the body cavity and positioning a bending portion of the device behind the foreign object. In such a position, the bending portion is in a first state. An actuator coupled to the bending portion is actuated to actuate the bending portion to move the bending portion in a second state for holding the foreign object. Further, the foreign object is withdrawn from the body cavity to remove the foreign object from the body cavity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0008] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components:

[0009] Figure 1 illustrates to a device for removal of a foreign object from a body cavity, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

[0010] Figures 2 and 2a illustrate the device for removal of a foreign object from a body cavity in a first state, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

[0011] Figures 3 and 3a illustrate the device for removal of a foreign object from a body cavity in a second state, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Various emergency cases of foreign objects lodged in a body cavity, such as nasal canal or ear canal, are encountered daily by medical personnel in hospitals and clinics. Conventionally, the removal of the foreign object is achieved by using a pair of forceps-like instrument. A tip of the forceps is used to grab the foreign object and the foreign object is extracted. Such techniques are applicable for extracting objects which are considerably smaller than the width of the body cavity, such that the cavity does not present a significant constraint.

[0013] However, if the object lodged in the body cavity is considerably large, then the forceps might not be able to open wide enough inside the cavity. In addition, if the clearance between the object and the wall of the cavity is considerably less, then the space on the side of the foreign object, the forceps may be insufficient to grasp the object. Further, using the forceps for the removal of the foreign object from such body cavities as mentioned above, presents the risk of pushing the object further down the body cavity, aggravating the condition.

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[0014] Further, in certain other cases, in which the objects may be non-graspable, the difficulty in removal of such objects may be even greater. In such cases, the foreign device cannot be removed by the forceps. Accordingly, the removal of a non-graspable foreign objects lodged in the body cavity is done with the help of devices such as spatula, catheters for Eustachian tube, or make-shift devices. However, use of such devices requires very high skill to remove the foreign object, and the patient is at a risk of serious injury to the cavity lining. Further, during such procedures the medical personnel run a high risk of pushing the foreign object further into the cavity, aggravating the situation. In addition, very often, the patients who need foreign objects to be removed are children or mentally challenged adults who may not sit patiently throughout the procedure of extracting the foreign object. As a result, the person performing the procedure may have only have a single opportunity to remove the object, before the patient gets restless.

[0015] In addition, in case the situation is aggravated as described in both of the above mentioned cases, the patient may then be required to undergo an invasive medical procedure for the removal of the foreign object. [0016] The present subject matter describes a device and a method for removing foreign objects from a body cavity, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. In one example, a device can be implemented for extracting foreign objects from narrow cavities, such as nasal or ear canal of a patient. In one example, the device can be used to remove the foreign objects from an anterior portion of the nasal cavity. The device described herein provides for effective and easy removal of the foreign object lodged in the body cavity of the patient, involving less skill and dexterity for the same.

[0017] According to an embodiment, the device includes a handle, an actuator, and an access shaft portion. The handle allows an operator, such as doctor or other such medical personnel, operating the device to grip the device while operating the device. An access shaft portion is connected to the handle at one end and provided with a bending portion at the other end. The access shaft portion can be inserted into the body cavity, while operating the device for removing the foreign object. As will be explained further, the access shaft portion is inserted into the cavity from which the foreign object is to be removed, and, a bending portion is actuated to bend and hold the foreign object and the foreign object is removed. The bending portion is then used to extract and remove the foreign object form the body cavity.

[0018] In said embodiment, for achieving the removal of the foreign object with the bending portion, the access shaft portion includes a stationary extension and a movable extension. According to said embodiment, the bending portion can be coupled to the actuator through the movable extension, to provide actuation of the bending portion. The actuation of the actuator in- turn effects the actuation of the bending portion. According to an aspect, the bending portion upon actuation by the actuator, can achieve a bending motion with respect to the stationary extension.

[0019] Accordingly, in an embodiment, the bending portion can be pivoted to the stationary extension at a first pivot. Further, the bending portion can be coupled to the movable extension at a second pivot adjacent to the first pivot. Upon the actuation of the movable extension by the actuator, the bending portion pivots and rotates about the first pivot because of the pulling action of the movable extension at the second pivot. The pivoting motion of the bending portion actuates the bending portion with reference to the stationary extension, such that the bending portion is substantially perpendicular to the stationary extension, and achieves an L-shaped configuration with the stationary extension.

[0020] The bending capability of the bending portion provides for the removal of the foreign object. During operation, the access shaft portion is inserted into the body cavity such that the bending portion extends behind the foreign object to be extracted, such that the bending portion 1 14 is farther than the foreign object from the opening of the body cavity. Once the bending portion extends behind the foreign object, the actuator can be actuated by the operator, which in turn causes the bending of the bending portion to form the L-shaped configuration with the stationary extension. Such a configuration of the bending portion can hold the foreign object and facilitate easy extraction of the foreign object from the body cavity. Accordingly, when the operator has effectively ensured that the foreign object is securely held, the operator can retract the device from the body of the patient, to withdraw the access shaft portion from the body cavity. With the withdrawal of the access shaft portion, the foreign object is also removed from the body cavity. [0021] In an implementation, the device can also be provided with an illuminating unit for illuminating the body cavity on which the device is being used. In one example, the illuminating unit can be a light emitting diode of high intensity for providing effective illumination of the body cavity. Accordingly, the operator, while inserting the access shaft portion, into the body cavity for removing the foreign object, can easily locate the foreign object and accordingly position the access shaft portion and the bending, portion with respect to the foreign object inside the body cavity.

[0022] With the provision of the device as described above, the foreign object can be easily and painlessly removed from the body cavity without requiring invasive techniques. In addition, the configuration and operation ensures that the foreign object is not pushed further into the body cavity, therefore, preventing the aggravation of the condition. In addition, the device is easy to handle and does not require specific training for operating the device. As a result, even a considerably less skilled operator can operate the device for removing objects lodged in the patients' body cavity.

[0023] These and other advantages of the present subject matter would-be described in greater detail in conjunction with the following figures. [0024] Figure 1 illustrates a device 100 for removing foreign objects from a body cavity, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. In an example, the device 100 can be used for removing foreign objects lodged in narrow cavities, such as nasal or ear canal.

[0025] According to an embodiment, the device 100 includes a handle 102, an actuator 104, and an access shaft portion 106. The handle 102 allows an operator, such as doctor or other such medical personnel, operating the device 100 to grip the device 100 while the access shaft portion 106 is inserted into the body cavity for removing the foreign object. The access shaft portion 106 is connected to the handle 102, and has actuable and non-actuable parts. The actuable parts are coupled to the actuator 104. In an embodiment, the handle 102 can be provided with a plurality of grooves 108 for allowing convenient and effective gripping of the device 100 during operation/ Further, in an implementation, the actuator 104 can be provided adjacent to the handle 102 for allowing access to the operator ergonomically, while operating the device 100. In said implementation, the actuator 104 can be provided as a trigger. In other implementations, the actuator 104 can be provided at other suitable locations on the device 100, and can be provided as a button, a knob, or other such component.

[0026] According to an aspect of the invention, the access shaft portion 106 includes a stationary extension 110, a movable extension 112, and a bending portion 114. The movable extension 1 12 and the bending portion 114 can operate in conjunction for allowing the removal of the foreign object using the device 100. According to- an embodiment, the bending portion 114 can be coupled to the actuator 104 through the movable extension 1 12, to provide actuation of the bending portion 1 14. The actuation of the actuator 104, in turn, effects the actuation of the bending portion 1 14. In an example, the actuator 104 can be manually actuable for operation. Further, in an implementation, the bending portion 1 14 can be provided as having a concavity on the side towards the direction of bending. Accordingly, during operation of the device 100, the concavity of the bending portion 1 14 can accommodate the foreign object and facilitate easy removal of the same. Further, in other implementations, the bending portion 1 14 can be provided as two-pronged, or having serrations for facilitating the removal of the foreign object.

[0027] In said embodiment, the stationary extension 1 10 can be fixedly coupled to, say the handle 102. Further, in an implementation, the stationary extension 1 10 of the access shaft portion 106 can be provided with graduations or markings (not shown) thereon, to provide feedback to the operator about the depth upto which the device 100 has entered the cavity, while operating the device 100. Such provision of feedback facilitates the operator in effectively operating the device 100 without hurting the patient. In other implementations, the device 100 can be provided with a force-based feedback mechanism, such as a. position sensor, for the operator to determine the depth upto which the device 100 has been inserted into the body cavity. In an example, the force-feedback mechanism can be similar to those provided in game pad devices or other tactile mechanisms.

[0028] In an implementation, the device 100 can also be provided with an illuminating unit 1 16 for illuminating the body cavity on which the device 100 is being used. In one example, the illuminating unit 116 can be a light . emitting diode of high intensity for providing effective illumination of the body cavity. Accordingly, the device 100 can include a circuitry and a switch (not shown) for controlling the illuminating unit 1 16. Further, in said implementation, the device 100 can be provided with a battery compartment (not shown), for example, in the handle 102, for accommodating a power source for the operation of the illuminating unit 1 16.

[0029] Figures 2 and 2a illustrate the device 100 for removing a foreign object from a body cavity, such as the nasal canal or the ear canal, in a first state. Further, figures 3 and 3a illustrate the device 100 in a second state. For the sake of brevity and ease of explanation, figures 2, 2a, 3, and 3a are described in conjunction hereinafter.

[0030] According to an aspect, the bending portion 114 can execute a bending motion with respect to the stationary extension 1 10, upon actuation. In an embodiment, the bending portion 1 14 is pivotedly coupled to the stationary extension 110 at a pivot, such as a first pivot 120, and coupled to the movable extension 1 12. In an example, the bending portion 114 can be coupled to the movable extension 1 12 at a second pivot 122 adjacent to the first pivot 120. As a result, upon the actuation of the movable extension 112 by the movement of the actuator 104, the second pivot 122 and the bending portion 1 14 pivot about the first pivot 120 because of the pull experienced at the second pivot 122. The pivoting motion actuates the bending portion 1 14 with reference to the stationary extension 1 10, such that the bending portion 1 14 is substantially perpendicular to the stationary extension 1 10, say at the extreme position. Such state of the device 100, in which the bending portion 1 14 is bent with respect to the stationary extension 1 10, is shown in figures 3 and 3 a. In one embodiment, the bending portion 1 14 can bend more than the substantially perpendicular angle with respect to the stationary extension 1 10. Further, in one example, the movable extension 1 12 and the stationary extension 1 10 can be formed as rigid elements, such as a rod.

[0031] In addition, in an embodiment, the actuator 104 can be provided as coupled to a retractable member (not shown), such as a spring, for resuming the original position of the bending portion 114 when the actuating force on the actuator 104 is removed. For example, the retractable member can be provided at a distal end of the access shaft portion 106, with respect to the body of the device 100, to be directly coupled to the bending portion 114. In one case, the first pivot 120 can be provided as a spring-loaded hinge. However, in another example, a retractable wire can be used instead as the movable extension 1 12, for effecting actuation of the bending portion 114.

[0032] During operation of the device 100 for removing the foreign object from the body cavity, the access shaft portion 106 is inserted into the body cavity such that the bending portion 1 14, in the first state, extends behind the foreign object to be extracted, , such that the bending portion 114 is farther from the opening of the body cavity than the foreign object is from the opening of the body cavity. The illuminating unit 116 can provide the illumination for the operator to view the location of the bending portion 114 with respect to the foreign object.

[0033] Once the bending portion 114 extends behind the foreign object, the actuator 104 can be actuated by the operator, which in turn causes the bending of the bending portion 1 14 to move the bending portion 114 into the second state and form a substantially L-shape with the stationary extension 1 10. Such a configuration of the bending portion 114 can hold the foreign object and facilitate easy extraction of the foreign object from the body cavity. Accordingly, when the operator has effectively ensured that the foreign object is securely held, the operator can retract the device 100 away from the body of the patient, to withdraw the access shaft portion 106 from the body cavity. With the withdrawal of the access shaft portion 106, the foreign object is also removed from the body cavity. [0034] With the provision of the device 100 as described above, the foreign object can be easily and painlessly removed from the body cavity without requiring invasive techniques. In addition, the configuration and operation ensures that the foreign object is not pushed further into the body cavity, therefore, preventing the aggravation of the condition. In addition, the device 100 is easy' to handle and does not require specific training for operating the device 100. As a result, even a considerably less skilled operator can operate the device 100 for removing objects lodged in the patients' body cavity.

[0035] Further, the present subject matter also relates to a method for removing a foreign object lodged in a body cavity, using the device 100 described in the present subject matter. The method includes locating the foreign object or foreign body inside the body cavity, with the help of the device 100. In an implementation, the bending portion 114 of the device 100 can be used for locating the foreign body inside the body cavity. Further, in one case, the illuminating unit 1 16 can be used for illuminating the body cavity to determine the position of the foreign object in the body cavity. The bending portion 114 is then maneuvered behind the foreign body, such that the bending portion 114 is farther from the opening of the body cavity than the foreign object is from the opening of the body cavity. Once the bending portion 1 14 is in such a position, the actuator 104 is actuated. The actuation of the actuator 104 causes the bending portion 114 to actuate in direction of the foreign object, bending to form a substantially L-shape with the stationary extension 1 10 of the device 100. In such a shape, the bending portion 1 14 can secure the foreign object and subsequently, the device 100 can withdraw the foreign object from the body cavity.

[0036] Although implementations of the device and method for removing foreign objects lodged in a body cavity, such as nasal cavity or ear cavity, of a patient, have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methods, it is to be understood that the subject matter is not necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as implementations for the device and method for removing foreign objects from a body cavity.