1993-12-01
1996-04-23
Apley, Richard J.
Surgery
Specula
Retractor
600184, 600214, 600222, A61B 100, A61B 132
Patent
active
055098932
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to a speculum.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
A speculum is an instrument for dilating a body cavity of a patient. Such cavity may be the vagina, rectum or ear, etc of the patient.
Conventional speculums are generally rather cumbersome to use requiring two handed operation. Additionally, they do not provide a uniform dilation of the body cavity, and they have a narrow rear opening. This makes visibility and instrument insertion cumbersome also. Further, they are generally made of metal, the cold surface of which can be quite uncomfortable for the patient.
The present invention provides a speculum which is relatively easy to use - insertion, dilation (opening), locking, unlocking and removal can all be effected with one hand. Insertion may be effected in a single movement. The speculum of the present invention may be made for left or right hand use.
The speculum of the present invention provides uniform dilation of the tissue of the body cavity to create relatively large dilation of the body cavity for visibility with improved comfort for the patient.
The speculum of the present invention is relatively compact and may be made from a light-weight material, e.g. plastics.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a speculum comprising: wherein said dilator means comprises at least two blade members which are pivotal and said opening means which is movable to contact and bear against said blade members to cause said blade members to pivot such that said dilator means opens to dilate said body cavity.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of a first embodiment of a speculum in accordance with the present invention, showing the dilator closed;
FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the speculum shown in FIG. 1, showing the dilator open;
FIG. 3 is a sectional side elevation view of the speculum shown in FIG. 1 with the dilator closed;
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a blade member and the tubular member of the speculum shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a partly exploded perspective view of the rear of the speculum shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the movable collar of the speculum shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a detail perspective view of the ratchet arrangement of the movable collar;
FIG. 8 is a rear elevation view of the speculum shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 9 is a first perspective view of the dilator of a second embodiment of a speculum in accordance with the present invention, showing the dilator closed;
FIG. 10 is a second perspective view of the dilator shown in FIG. 9, showing the dilator open.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the dilator of a third embodiment of a speculum in accordance with the present invention showing the dilator closed;
FIG. 12 is a front elevation view of the movable collar of the speculum of the third embodiment;
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the dilator of a fourth embodiment of a speculum in accordance with the present invention showing the dilator partly open; and,
FIG. 14 is a front elevation view of the movable collar of the speculum of the fourth embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In FIG. 1 to 8 there is shown a speculum 10 in accordance with the present invention.
The speculum 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 may be used for dilating the vagina of a patient, i.e. the speculum 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 may be a vaginal speculum.
The speculum 10 comprises a dilator 12 for insertion into a body cavity, i.e. the vagina, of a patient and an opening mechanism, shown generally at 14, such that the dilator 12 may be opened to dilate the vagina of the patient.
The dilator 12 comprises (dilator) blade members 16a, 16b, 16c and 16d, collectively herein referred to as "blade members 16".
The dilator 12 of the speculum 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 has four blade members 16.
For use as a vaginal speculum, it is preferable that four blade members 16 are provided.
However, other numbers of blade members 16 may be used for a vaginal speculum as will be later
REFERENCES:
patent: 167666 (1875-09-01), Higbee
patent: 672239 (1901-04-01), Pilling
patent: 1412975 (1922-04-01), Stanton
patent: 2083573 (1937-06-01), Morgan
patent: 4130113 (1978-12-01), Graham
Apley Richard J.
Leubecker John P.
Meditech International Pty Ltd.
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