WO1995031131A1

WO1995031131A1 - Double screw bivalve speculum

Info

Publication number: WO1995031131A1
Application number: PCT/GR1995/000006
Authority: WO
Inventors: Leonidas Mamas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-05-18
Filing date: 1995-03-30
Publication date: 1995-11-23
Anticipated expiration: 1996-11-18
Also published as: EP0714256A1

Abstract

A Double Screw Bivalve Speculum used especially for intrauterine insemination is made of steel, but could be manufactured in plastic for one use only, and in two sizes. It consists of two blades (1-2) with specially modified tips (3) with a rounded and smooth outer surface and slightly curved inner surface. The blades end in handles (5-9) on which two screws and nuts (15-17) are adjusted. The screws function in a way that when the first one (14) is tightened the speculum opens and when the first screw (14) is released and the second (16) tightened, the speculum closes and remains locked as long as it is necessary. In this way any leakage of the inseminated sperm is prevented, allowing the presence of a higher number of spermatozoa in the whole genital tract (uterine cavity, ampulla, Pouch of Douglas) and closer to the site where fertilization of the ovum takes place.

Description

DOUBLE SCREW BIVALVE SPECULUM

This vaginal speculum is made of steel but it could be manufactured in plastic, as it will in the near future. It is also produced in two sizes in order to fit the various vaginal lengths. It consists of an anterior (1) and a posterior (2) blade. Their length is 115mm or 125 mm and their width 30mm. They have tips with a rounded and smooth outer surface, whereas the inside is slightly curved (2mm) (3). The tips are shaped in such a way in order to easily grasp the cervix and exert pressure on the cervical canal. This procedure is necessary in order to limit the possibility of leakage of the inseminated sperm as much as possible. The base (4) of the anterior blade (1) ends in a ring with 43mm horizontal diameter and 53mm vertical diameter. There is a handle (5) on 6 o' clock. The handle is 80mm long, 19mm wide and 8mm thick. There are also two holes on the handle. The first (6) is located 10mm below the ring and the second (7) is located 35mm under the first one (6).

The base of the posterior blade (2) ends in a half ring with the curve downwards and a handle (9) on 6 o'clock. The handle is 80mm lomg, 18mm wide and 12mm thick. There are also two sockets. The first one (10) is located 20mm below the half ring and the second (11) is located 35mm under the first. In these sockets the two screws (14-16) are set.

Both the anterior (1) and the posterior (2) blades are connected on 3rd (12) and 9th (13) o'clock in such a way as to allow the tips (3) to open and close easily.

The base of the first screw (14) is set in the first socket (10) of the posterior blade (2) handle (9), whereas the the tip of the screw runs through the first hole (6) of the anterior blade (1) handle (5). The screw (14) is 75mm long and 5mm thick. The screw-nut (15) diameter is 14 mm and is located on the outer part of the handle (5).

SUBSTITUTE SHEET The base of the second screw (16) is set in the second socket (11) of the posterior blade (1) handle (9), whereas the tip of the screw runs through the second hole (7) of the anterior blade (1) handle (5). The screw (16) is 75mm long and 5mm thick. The screw nut (17) diameter is 14mm but it gradually increases to 30mm and is located on the inner part of the handle (5). Both screws (14-16) are located in their sockets in a movable way.

The tips of the blades (3), which reach both the anterior and the posterior vaginal vault, are opened with the help of the first screw (14), allowing good visibility of the cervix. At this point (with the speculum in the opening position) the insemination catheter is atraumatically inserted. Then, the first screw-nut (15) is released and the speculum is closed by the pressure of the vaginal wall. At the same time, the second screw-nut (17) is tightened and the tips of the speculum are closed and locked while its handles (5-9) are kept apart. A slight pressure is exerted on the cervix by the enveloping tips of the speculum, not at all inconvenient to the patient.

At this stage exactly, insemination of the capacitated sperm is performed and no leaking is usually observed. In this way, the number of the spermatozoa is high in throughout all the genital tract (uterine cavity, ampulla, Pouch of Douglas) and especially at the site where fertilization of the ovum takes place. The use of this speculum is a new technique developed to support the method of insemination in assisted reproduction. Its purpose is the improve¬ ment of the results and ultimate goal is the achievement of pregnancy.

The international name of this particular speculum is: Double Screw Bivalve Speculum (DSB Spec or Mamas Speculum).

Claims

1. Double Bivalve Speculum used for intrauterine insemination. It consists of two vaginal blades (1-2) with specially modified tips (3) which are linked together at their base (12-13) in a movable way. The blades end in handles on which two screws (14-16) are adjusted. Both the modified tips (3) and the two screws (14-16) are the special features that characterize this speculum distinquishing it from all others in that it was developed to support the method of artificial, intrauterine insemination positively. The function of the screws is twofold: When the first one is tightened the speculum opens allowing good visibility of the cervix and the easy, atraumatic entry of the insemination catheter. When the first screw is released and the second tightened, the specially modified tips gently, but firmly envelope the cervix exerting a certain pressure to the cervical canal which prevent the inseminated sperm to leak.

2. Double Screw Bivalve Speculum used for intrauterine insemination. A speculum is claimed 1, characterized in that it comprises two screws and specially modified tips used for intrauterine insemination which will be manufactured in either metal or plastic and in two sizes.