Speculum

Abstract

A speculum, comprising a lower member including a handle and a lower blade extending at an angle from the handle, an upper blade movably engaged with the lower member by an angular adjustment mechanism so as to allow continuous adjustment of an angle between the upper and lower blades, and the angular adjustment mechanism comprising: a guiding arm, a rotational lever connected to the upper blade and operable by a user to change the angle between the upper and lower blades, the rotational lever being movably engaged with the guiding arm and configured to move relative to the guiding arm to continuously change the angle between the upper and lower blades, and a locking member movable between a locked position to lock a positional relationship between the rotational lever and the guiding arm and an unlocked position to release a locked positional relationship between the rotational lever and the guiding arm, wherein the locking member is configured to: (1) automatically lock the positional relationship between the rotational lever and the guiding arm along any position on the guiding arm, (2) automatically release the locked positional relationship during operation of the rotational lever in a first direction, and (3) be manually moved to the unlocked position to permit operation of the rotational lever in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Description

INTRODUCTION[0001]The present invention relates to speculums typically used for examination of a patient. A speculum is a medical instrument for dilating the opening of a body cavity for medical examination. A bivalved vaginal speculum commonly used during a gynecological examination or a surgical procedure includes a pair of hinged blades and is introduced into a patient's vagina in a closed state and then opened to separate the vaginal walls, thus allowing the internal genital organs to be examined. Metal, autoclavable duck-bill specula are conventionally used for gynecological examination and treatment. These units, with exposed joints, sharp edges, and cold metal are universally disliked by patients. The conventional metallic specula blades are typically opaque and thus, the open end between the blades is the only area available for inspection when the metallic speculum is in use. Moreover sterilization of reusable specula can be costly and time-consuming.[0002]Plastic specula, ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is about a new plastic speculum that solves problems associated with metallic specula, such as cross-contamination. The speculum is made from one-time use, disposable material, which is very efficient in busy environments. It has a silent adjustment mechanism that reduces the risk of contamination, and is easy to use without requiring additional training. The speculum also has a battery removal mechanism that prevents contamination. The invention solves the problem of a click-free adjustment while allowing for flexible and convenient adjustment by the user. The rotational lever mechanism allows for silent angle adjustments between the upper and lower blades.

Problems solved by technology

These units, with exposed joints, sharp edges, and cold metal are universally disliked by patients.

Moreover sterilization of reusable specula can be costly and time-consuming.

These clicking sounds often cause anxiety to patients being examined.

Moreover, since the ratchet mechanism adjusts the blades in distinct steps, doctors may be reluctant to use disposable specula that include such mechanisms or may be reluctant to fully separate the vaginal walls in order to avoid patient discomfort.

Therefore, proper use of such specula requires additional training for doctors and may be a deterrent in using such specula mechanisms.

Furthermore, some of the mechanisms described in the '942 patent add complexity to the speculum device, increasing the cost of manufacturing and assembly.

As a result, when batteries are incinerated along with the biomedical waste, heavy metals may contaminate the ash released by the incinerator, thus polluting the air.

Moreover, metals in the batteries can leach out of landfills and pollute water sources.

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