Vaginal speculum
OwnerWilliam Guinaninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vaginal speculum having a universal connection between the handle and each of a plurality of blades, for selectively detaching and attaching one or more of the blades at any one of a plurality of angles between the handle axis and the blade axis. Preferably, the vaginal speculum is part of a kit having a plurality of elongated blades adapted to penetrate and fully enter a vagina while providing surgical access, each being interchangeably connectable to the handle, thereby providing a variety of options for blade length, blade width, or blade contour to better fit the vaginal structure of a particular patient. Each blade is made of a rigid or semi-rigid plastic, that is disposable after each use. The handle is preferably made of heavy metal, with a permanent plastic sheath or coating.
Claims26
A weighted vaginal speculum comprising:
- an elongated, weighted handle having distal and proximal ends along a handle axis;
- a single, elongated blade having a free distal end and a proximal end connected to the proximal end of the handle, a blade length between the ends along a blade axis, and an underside having a contour along said length, said blade adapted to penetrate and fully enter a vagina while providing surgical access;
- wherein the connection between the handle and the blade is manually selectively detachable and reattachable.
(canceled)
The vaginal speculum of claim 26, wherein the tabs include flange portions projecting from the bosses along the blade axis, for squeezing by the thumb and forefinger to at least partially disengage said second means whereby the angle can be adjusted without disengaging said first means.
A weighted vaginal speculum comprising:
- an elongated handle having a weighted distal end and a proximal end along a handle axis;
- a single, elongated blade having a free distal end and a proximal end connected to the proximal end of the handle, a blade length between the ends along a blade axis, and a contour along said length adapted to penetrate and fully enter a vagina while providing surgical access;
- wherein the blade axis and the handle axis define a vertical plane and the blade as connected to the handle forms an angle between the handle axis and the blade axis and said angle is manually selectively adjustable in said vertical plane within a range of angles
A weighted vaginal speculum kit comprising:
- an elongated substantially straight, weighted handle, and a plurality of elongated single blades of differing length, width, or contour selectively interchangeably attachable to and detachable from the handle.
A method of selecting a vaginal speculum kit for use on a patient in the field of surgery during a surgical procedure, comprising:
- selecting a sterile universal handle having a handle axis and means for interchangeable mounting of a vaginal speculum blade;
- selecting a first blade from a group of sterile blades in the surgical field that each have a blade axis but differ from each other by at least one of length, width, or contour;
- attaching the first blade to the handle, thereby establishing an angle between the handle axis and the axis of the first blade;
- inserting the first blade in the patient's vagina whereby the handle hangs substantially vertically outside the vagina, and evaluating the quality of the fit of the first blade in the vagina;
- depending on the quality of the fit, either
- (a) (I) removing the first blade from the handle, selecting and attaching a second blade to the handle, inserting the second blade in the patient's vagina, and evaluating the quality of the fit of the second blade;
- and
- (2) performing the surgical procedure while the second blade is in the patient's vagina and the handle hangs substantially vertically outside the vagina, or
- (b) (I) adjusting the angle of the first blade relative to the handle, inserting the adjusted first blade in the patient's vagina, and evaluating the quality of the fit, and
- (2) performing the surgical procedure while the adjusted first blade is in the patient's vagina and the handle hangs substantially vertically outside the vagina.
A weighted vaginal speculum comprising:
- an elongated handle having distal and proximal ends along a handle axis, wherein the proximal end of the handle has a pair of connector bosses formed thereon, spaced apart transversely to the handle axis and extending in parallel with the handle axis, and a ramp surface between the bosses;
- an elongated blade having a free distal end and a proximal end connected to the proximal end of the handle, and a blade length between the ends along a blade axis, wherein the proximal end of the blade has a pair of connector tabs formed thereon and spaced apart transversely to the blade axis, each connector boss is connected to and overlaps a connector tab and the blade is contoured along said length to penetrate and fully enter a vagina while providing surgical access;
- first means, for pivotally retaining the blade to the handle, cooperating at a first location between the bosses and tabs, and second means, for setting said selected angle, cooperating at a second location between the bosses and tabs;
- wherein the first means include a pivot pin engaging a mounting hole adjacent the ramp, the second means include a tooth cooperating with detents axially outward on the bosses from the first means, and the tabs include edges that bear on said ramp;
- and
- wherein the connection between the handle and the blade is manually selectively detachable and reattachable.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.