Surgery – Specula – Retractor
Patent
1997-09-05
1999-06-29
Thaler, Michael H.
Surgery
Specula
Retractor
600222, 606198, 604106, A61M 2900
Patent
active
059161515
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an apparatus for dilating a body cavity. In particular, the invention relates to a vaginal speculum for use in gynaecology.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A vaginal speculum is used in gynaecology for various procedures including opening of the vaginal cavity for inspection of the uterine cervix and to carry out procedures such as a vaginal examination to obtain swabs and scrapings for a papanicolaou stain test, and to do a colposcopy.
A type of vaginal speculum commonly in use comprises a pair of broad dilator blades which are pivoted together and movable apart when inserted into the vaginal cavity to cause the vagina to dilate.
While such a vaginal speculum performs satisfactorily in many situations, it does have some disadvantages. One disadvantage is that each of the dilator blades presents a peripheral edge which can cause discomfort during insertion. A further disadvantage is that because of their broad nature the blades can obscure a significant part of the vaginal walls thereby obscuring matters of concern such as vaginal warts. A still further disadvantage is that the vaginal walls can urge the dilator blades together which can cause the blades to grip the cervix and thereby cause pain on removal of the speculum. A still further disadvantage is that the blades can pinch the vaginal wall when pivoted together prior to withdrawal of the speculum.
The present invention seeks to provide an apparatus for dilating a body cavity and in particular to provide a vaginal speculum which overcomes at least some of the disadvantages of the conventional speculum referred to above, or at least provides a useful alternative to such a speculum.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides an apparatus for dilating a body cavity comprising at least two elongate elements positioned in generally side-by-side relationship and movable laterally with respect to each other between a contracted condition wherein first end sections of the elongate elements are closely adjacent one another for insertion into the body cavity and an expanded condition wherein the first end sections of the elongate elements are circumferentially spaced apart for dilating the body cavity.
While there may be two or more of the elongate elements, it is particularly convenient that there be four such elements.
The elongate elements are each preferably firm yet resiliently flexible along the length thereof.
The elongate elements are preferably thin in profile and of circular or other rounded cross-section.
In the contracted position, the first end sections of the elongate elements are closely adjacent to present a compact shape for insertion into the body cavity.
In the expanded condition, the elongate elements define therebetween a central region of open-ended elongate shape through which gynaecological operations and procedures may be performed.
The elongate elements may be arranged to normally occupy one of the contracted or expanded conditions, a control means being provided for selectively moving the elongate elements from that one condition to the other condition. Conveniently, the elongate elements normally occupy the contracted condition and operation of the control means causes movement of the elongate elements from the contracted condition to the expanded condition.
The control means may comprise a control ring encircling the elongate elements and adjustment means extending between each elongate element and the control ring, the adjustment means being operable to move at least two of the elongate elements with respect to the control ring thereby moving the elongate elements from said one condition to the other condition. Preferably the adjustment means is operable to move all of the elongate elements with respect to the control ring.
The adjustment means may comprise a funicular element such as a cable laced between the control ring and the elongate elements whereby tensioning of the cable draws the elongate elements outwardly towards the ring.
The funicular element may be tensioned b
REFERENCES:
patent: 1626149 (1927-05-01), Odell
patent: 2078111 (1937-04-01), Weeks
patent: 2083573 (1937-04-01), Morgan
patent: 2374863 (1945-05-01), Gutmann
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