US3841318A - Vaginal speculum - Google Patents

Vaginal speculum Download PDF

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Publication number
US3841318A
US3841318A US00302195A US30219572A US3841318A US 3841318 A US3841318 A US 3841318A US 00302195 A US00302195 A US 00302195A US 30219572 A US30219572 A US 30219572A US 3841318 A US3841318 A US 3841318A
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United States
Prior art keywords
legs
speculum
end wall
set forth
vagina
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
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US00302195A
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English (en)
Inventor
D Olson
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Individual
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Individual
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Publication date
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Priority to US00302195A priority Critical patent/US3841318A/en
Priority to CA208,814A priority patent/CA1027004A/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3841318A publication Critical patent/US3841318A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M29/00—Dilators with or without means for introducing media, e.g. remedies
    • A61M29/02—Dilators made of swellable material
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/32—Devices for opening or enlarging the visual field, e.g. of a tube of the body
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods
    • A61B17/02—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for holding wounds open, e.g. retractors; Tractors
    • A61B17/0206—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for holding wounds open, e.g. retractors; Tractors with antagonistic arms as supports for retractor elements
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods
    • A61B17/42—Gynaecological or obstetrical instruments or methods

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A vaginal speculum formed as an integral unit and preferably of unitary molded construction.
  • the speculum includes a pair of opposed legs diverging outwardly from an end wall which is suitably apertured to permit the passage of instruments, swabs, etc.
  • the outer surface of the end wall is generally concave, and its connection to the legs produces a spring flexure whereby the distal ends of the legs may be resiliently urged together for insertion and removal of the speculum.
  • the legs are also curved in a transaxial plane, permitting rotation of the speculum after insertion in the vagina.
  • the construction is such permitting its disposal after a single use, but, if desired, permitting resterilization thereof for successive uses.
  • vaginal speculums for the purpose of examination and surgical procedures is an accepted medical practice.
  • currently available speculums possess a number of shortcomings and frequently are complicated in construction and difficult to use.
  • some such prior art devices have undesirable fulcrum points, two or more interlocking or interacting members, have screw threads or other mechanical means for effecting an expansive force on the walls of the vagina, are expensive to construct or do not readily lend themselves to a single usage, can cause discomfort to the patient, do not provide a sufficiently large opening for insertion of tools or the like, etc.
  • vaginal speculum which overcomes the difficulties of the prior art devices, and which may be economically mass produced in such a manner as to permit the disposal of the same after a single usage, or which, in the alternative, may be resterilized for additional uses.
  • a further object of the invention is to provide a speculum as above described which may be formed of a material defining a light pipe for illuminating the vaginal cavity, and which is substantially transparent so as to permit a clearer view of the vaginal tissue.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a speculum as herein defined which may be injection molded or otherwise formed of a unitary piece of material, which will automatically impose the desired spreading or expansive force when inserted, which may be rotated when in the vagina, and which provides a large end opening or aperture positioned closely adjacent the vaginal opening for facilitating the physicians subse quent procedures.
  • FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the vaginal speculum of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a side elevational view thereof
  • FIG. 3 is an end view
  • FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken in the plane indicated by line 4-4 of FIG. 2.
  • the speculum of the present invention is of a unitary construction, and preferably injection molded from a plastic material such as polycarbonate.
  • This material is a desirable one since it can properly be formed to give the spring-like efiect later to be described; it is approved by the various federal agencies for medical devices of this nature; is generally transparent for better viewing of the tissue; is capable of being autoclaved or otherwise sterilized, but is sufficiently inexpensive to be considered a disposable item; and also can be used as a light pipe.
  • the speculum could probably be stamped in multiple dies out of a metal such as stainless steel. This, however, would not provide any light pipe, transparency, or other desired features of this invention.
  • the speculum includes an end wall 6, a pair of legs 8 and 10, and curved connecting portions 12 and 14 connecting the legs to the ends of wall 6.
  • the width of end wall 6 is approximately I It inches while the length of the legs, i.e., from their distal ends l6, 18 to their juncture with portions l2, 14 is about 4 inches.
  • end wall 6 is curved inwardly as indicated at 20 towards the legs, and as shown in FIG. 3, an aperture 22 occupies most of the area of such end wall.
  • the curvature 20 assists in the spring flexture of the legs 8 and 10, and equally important, positions the aperture 22 closer to the vaginal opening than if the wall 6 was straight. This permits both better viewing by the physician and closer access for any surgical or other procedures through the opening 22. Also, since such opening is relatively large, the insertion of instruments therethrough is facilitated.
  • legs 8 and 10 diverge outwardly from their connection with the reentrant curved portions 12 and 14 but due to the shape of the latter and the curve 20 in the end wall 6, the legs may be inwardly flexed, as shown in dot-dash lines in FIGS. 2 and 4, by squeezing the same together until they assume a generally parallel configuration, and with the distal ends of the legs generally in contact with each other. In this position of the legs, the end wall 6 will also flex as indicated by the dotdash lines. In this position the speculum may be inserted in the vagina, and in plan, the ends of the legs are of generally semi-circular shape, as indicated at 26, to facilitate such insertion.
  • a maximum spring pressure of about 10 to 15 pounds is provided which is sufficient to effect a proper opening of the vaginal cavity without damage or undue discomfort to the patient.
  • each leg is outwardly curved, i.e., the confronting surfaces 28, 30 of legs 8 and 10 are of concave configuration.
  • curvature not only permits more ready insertion of the device, but permits rotation of the speculum when within the vaginal cavity without collapsing or pulling or otherwise causing discomfort to the patient.
  • each leg in plan, slightly tapers from a maximum width adjacent its distal end to a minimum width adjacent its juncture with the curved re-entrant portions 12 and 14. Such taper will prevent the accidental ejection of the speculum due to any involuntary muscle spasm, but will not create any problem in the deliberate removal of the device.
  • the speculum can be used as a light pipe with light being introduced into the end wall 6 in any conventional manner.
  • the construction described above is extremely simple but provides a highly efficient mechanical spring without possibility of injury to the patient. Even if the speculum should fracture or break after or during insertion, no damage would result to the vaginal tissue.
  • a U-shaped vaginal speculum comprising a web end wall, legs resiliently and integrally formed in one piece with said end wall, said legs extending substantially transversely from said end wall and normally diverging angularly each from the other in the unstressed condition, said legs and end wall being constructed of spring material so that said legs are resiliently movable to a generally parallel relationship without any permanent deformation, and said end wall including an arcuate portion normally curved inward toward said legs in the unstressed condition, and said arcuate portion having an aperture therethrough constituting means providing examination and operating access.
  • each leg is curved in cross-section generally perpendicular to its extent with the confronting surfaces of said legs being of concave configuration.
  • each leg opposite said end wall is rounded so that when said legs are resiliently deformed together, they will form a rounded end for easy insertion in the vagina.
  • a speculum as set forth in claim 1 in which the outer surfaces of said legs are of convex configuration in cross-section generally perpendicular to their extent and in which said legs in their generally parallel positions have their distal ends spaced closer together than the height of said end wall.
  • a speculum as set forth in claim 1 formed of a clear synthetic resin material.
  • a speculum as set forth in claim 1 in which said legs are tapered in width from closely adjacent their distal ends to said end wall to provide means for maintaining the device in the vagina.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Surgery (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
  • Medical Informatics (AREA)
  • Vascular Medicine (AREA)
  • Anesthesiology (AREA)
  • Hematology (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Biophysics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
  • Surgical Instruments (AREA)
  • Endoscopes (AREA)
US00302195A 1972-10-30 1972-10-30 Vaginal speculum Expired - Lifetime US3841318A (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US00302195A US3841318A (en) 1972-10-30 1972-10-30 Vaginal speculum
CA208,814A CA1027004A (fr) 1972-10-30 1974-09-09 Speculum vaginal

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US00302195A US3841318A (en) 1972-10-30 1972-10-30 Vaginal speculum

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3841318A true US3841318A (en) 1974-10-15

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00302195A Expired - Lifetime US3841318A (en) 1972-10-30 1972-10-30 Vaginal speculum

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US (1) US3841318A (fr)
CA (1) CA1027004A (fr)

Cited By (25)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4085750A (en) * 1975-03-10 1978-04-25 Bosshold Barry L Eyedropper bottle attachment
FR2444450A1 (fr) * 1978-12-18 1980-07-18 Arts Tech Nles Speculum
US4432351A (en) * 1980-06-26 1984-02-21 Institute For Industrial Research And Standards Vaginal speculum
EP0172419A3 (en) * 1984-07-23 1986-12-17 Miliani M P Brev Odontoiatrici Mouth retractor
EP0340923A1 (fr) * 1987-12-15 1989-11-08 Gerard A. Waters Appareil de dilatation d'une cavité corporelle
US4966130A (en) * 1990-01-26 1990-10-30 Montaldi David H One-piece disposable speculum
US5018507A (en) * 1990-01-26 1991-05-28 Montaldi David H One-piece disposable speculum
US5433190A (en) * 1993-08-20 1995-07-18 Sunalp; Murad A. Eyelid speculum device
US6416467B1 (en) 2000-09-15 2002-07-09 Mcmillin Matthew Vaginal speculum and method of using same
US6450952B1 (en) 1998-04-23 2002-09-17 Scimed Life Systems, Inc. Medical body access device
US20070073112A1 (en) * 2005-09-28 2007-03-29 Holmes Russell P Spreader insert for a retractor system
US20080021286A1 (en) * 2004-12-29 2008-01-24 Olof Risto Retractor
US20090143646A1 (en) * 2002-03-07 2009-06-04 Vail Iii William Banning Tubular personal pelvic viewers
EP2181646A1 (fr) * 2008-10-29 2010-05-05 Pelican Healthcare Limited Spéculum
CN102029011A (zh) * 2010-12-07 2011-04-27 苏州天臣国际医疗科技有限公司 一种外科手术用扩肛器
US9332898B2 (en) 2005-04-01 2016-05-10 Welch Allyn, Inc. Vaginal speculum apparatus
US9532706B2 (en) 2014-08-07 2017-01-03 Welch Allyn, Inc. Vaginal speculum with illuminator
US20170056069A1 (en) * 2009-10-13 2017-03-02 Mark Juravic Methods and apparatus for preventing vaginal lacerations during childbirth
CN109567734A (zh) * 2019-01-29 2019-04-05 兰州市妇幼保健院 一种安全性能高的妇科检查用撑开装置
US20190365217A1 (en) * 2017-11-10 2019-12-05 Hegenbergerspeculum Aps Vaginal speculum
US10828476B2 (en) 2015-07-10 2020-11-10 Materna Medical, Inc. Systems and methods for the treatment and prevention of female pelvic dysfunction
US10973547B1 (en) * 2018-02-14 2021-04-13 Birch Concepts LLC Self-retaining vaginal retractor
USD929510S1 (en) * 2019-10-09 2021-08-31 Maryam Bakhtiyari Face and lip exercise device
US11350814B2 (en) * 2010-08-10 2022-06-07 Ronald Yamada Endoscope gripping device
US20240065541A1 (en) * 2022-08-25 2024-02-29 Shayne Jean-Baptiste Self-retaining medical retractor to facilitate surgical procedures and inspection

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1039061A (en) * 1911-02-08 1912-09-17 Richard Jentzsch Self-retaining uterine-tube.
US1389436A (en) * 1919-04-28 1921-08-30 William J Cameron Retractor
US3054398A (en) * 1961-02-13 1962-09-18 Arnold J Kobler Eyelid spreader

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1039061A (en) * 1911-02-08 1912-09-17 Richard Jentzsch Self-retaining uterine-tube.
US1389436A (en) * 1919-04-28 1921-08-30 William J Cameron Retractor
US3054398A (en) * 1961-02-13 1962-09-18 Arnold J Kobler Eyelid spreader

Cited By (41)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4085750A (en) * 1975-03-10 1978-04-25 Bosshold Barry L Eyedropper bottle attachment
FR2444450A1 (fr) * 1978-12-18 1980-07-18 Arts Tech Nles Speculum
US4432351A (en) * 1980-06-26 1984-02-21 Institute For Industrial Research And Standards Vaginal speculum
EP0172419A3 (en) * 1984-07-23 1986-12-17 Miliani M P Brev Odontoiatrici Mouth retractor
US4994070A (en) * 1987-12-15 1991-02-19 Waters Gerard A Apparatus for dilating a body cavity
EP0340923A1 (fr) * 1987-12-15 1989-11-08 Gerard A. Waters Appareil de dilatation d'une cavité corporelle
US4966130A (en) * 1990-01-26 1990-10-30 Montaldi David H One-piece disposable speculum
US5018507A (en) * 1990-01-26 1991-05-28 Montaldi David H One-piece disposable speculum
WO1992000698A1 (fr) * 1990-07-13 1992-01-23 Montaldi David H Speculum d'une piece a usage unique
US5433190A (en) * 1993-08-20 1995-07-18 Sunalp; Murad A. Eyelid speculum device
US6450952B1 (en) 1998-04-23 2002-09-17 Scimed Life Systems, Inc. Medical body access device
US6702741B2 (en) 1998-04-23 2004-03-09 Scimed Life Systems, Inc. Medical body access device
US6416467B1 (en) 2000-09-15 2002-07-09 Mcmillin Matthew Vaginal speculum and method of using same
US20090143646A1 (en) * 2002-03-07 2009-06-04 Vail Iii William Banning Tubular personal pelvic viewers
US8287565B2 (en) * 2004-12-29 2012-10-16 Surg-Mate AB Retractor
US20080021286A1 (en) * 2004-12-29 2008-01-24 Olof Risto Retractor
US9883792B2 (en) 2005-04-01 2018-02-06 Welch Allyn, Inc. Vaginal speculum apparatus
US12262878B2 (en) 2005-04-01 2025-04-01 Welch Allyn, Inc. Vaginal speculum apparatus
US9332898B2 (en) 2005-04-01 2016-05-10 Welch Allyn, Inc. Vaginal speculum apparatus
US9949633B2 (en) 2005-04-01 2018-04-24 Welch Allyn, Inc. Vaginal speculum apparatus
US11291359B2 (en) 2005-04-01 2022-04-05 Welch Allyn, Inc. Vaginal speculum apparatus
US8267859B2 (en) * 2005-09-28 2012-09-18 Holmed Corporation Spreader insert for a retractor system
US20070073112A1 (en) * 2005-09-28 2007-03-29 Holmes Russell P Spreader insert for a retractor system
EP2181646A1 (fr) * 2008-10-29 2010-05-05 Pelican Healthcare Limited Spéculum
US20170056069A1 (en) * 2009-10-13 2017-03-02 Mark Juravic Methods and apparatus for preventing vaginal lacerations during childbirth
US11806047B2 (en) 2009-10-13 2023-11-07 Materna Medical, Inc Methods and apparatus for preventing vaginal lacerations during childbirth
US11350814B2 (en) * 2010-08-10 2022-06-07 Ronald Yamada Endoscope gripping device
CN102029011B (zh) * 2010-12-07 2012-09-19 苏州天臣国际医疗科技有限公司 一种外科手术用扩肛器
CN102029011A (zh) * 2010-12-07 2011-04-27 苏州天臣国际医疗科技有限公司 一种外科手术用扩肛器
US9532706B2 (en) 2014-08-07 2017-01-03 Welch Allyn, Inc. Vaginal speculum with illuminator
US10945594B2 (en) 2014-08-07 2021-03-16 Welch Allyn, Inc. Vaginal speculum with illuminator
US10828476B2 (en) 2015-07-10 2020-11-10 Materna Medical, Inc. Systems and methods for the treatment and prevention of female pelvic dysfunction
US11712547B2 (en) 2015-07-10 2023-08-01 Materna Medical, Inc. Systems and methods for the treatment and prevention of female pelvic dysfunction
US20190365217A1 (en) * 2017-11-10 2019-12-05 Hegenbergerspeculum Aps Vaginal speculum
US10694935B2 (en) * 2017-11-10 2020-06-30 Hegenbergerspeculum Aps Vaginal speculum
US10973547B1 (en) * 2018-02-14 2021-04-13 Birch Concepts LLC Self-retaining vaginal retractor
CN109567734B (zh) * 2019-01-29 2021-06-04 兰州市妇幼保健院 一种安全性能高的妇科检查用撑开装置
CN109567734A (zh) * 2019-01-29 2019-04-05 兰州市妇幼保健院 一种安全性能高的妇科检查用撑开装置
USD929510S1 (en) * 2019-10-09 2021-08-31 Maryam Bakhtiyari Face and lip exercise device
US20240065541A1 (en) * 2022-08-25 2024-02-29 Shayne Jean-Baptiste Self-retaining medical retractor to facilitate surgical procedures and inspection
US12023012B2 (en) * 2022-08-25 2024-07-02 Shayne Jean-Baptiste Self-retaining medical retractor to facilitate surgical procedures and inspection

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA1027004A (fr) 1978-02-28

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