GB1408382A - Specula - Google Patents

Abstract

1408382 Specula B McDONALD 25 Oct 1972 [14 Aug 1972] 49195/72 Heading A5R Speculum: A vaginal speculum, Fig. 3, comprises a handle 20, a lower blade support tang 22, an upper blade support tang 38 a slide 23 having a releasable rachet 26-29, a lever 41 for pivoting the upper tang 38 which is biassed toward the lower tang 22 by springs 37 and 55 having an adjustable bias, and a latch 49 for holding the tangs 38 and 22 apart, said tangs being received in hollow transparent plastics blades 39. A light source 61 and fibre optics 59 are used to provide illumination between the blades 39 which are pivoted relative to each other by an elevator arm 46 which is pivoted by a lever arm 43 operated by the lever 41. An extension 21 of the handle 20 is hollow upwardly and support arms 32 and 46 extend laterally and upwardly of the handle 20 to provide greater access to the space between the blades 39. Slide: The slide 23, Fig. 4, on the handle 20 has a T-shaped cross-section that fits into a similar slot 24. Rachet teeth 26 in the slot engage the slide 23 via a pawl 27 pivotally mounted on a pin 28 and having an integral thumb knob 29. A spring 31 biasses the knob 29 so that the pawl 27 engages the teeth 26. Pressing the knob 29 upwardly causes the slide 23 to move upwards and pressing it downwardly disengages the pawl 27 from the teeth 26 and moves the slide 23 down. Support Tangs: The upper blade support tang 38 is mounted on a pivot arm 33 and pivots on a bolt (34), Fig. 1 (not shown) having a lock nut 36, the pivoting being effected against the action of the springs 37 and 55 by the lever 51 mounted on a shaft 42. Depression of the lever 41 rotates the lever 43 and causes the elevator arm 46 to move upwardly and open the blades. The open position may be held by pushing a pad 52 on the latch 49 so that a shank 51 slides over the lever 41 and locks it. The adjustable bias on the tang 38 comprises a knurled knob 53, Fig. 5, mounted on a reduced diameter portion of the shaft 42, a sleeve 54 around the shaft 42, a spring 55 having its ends in holes in the shaft 42 and the knob 53 and radial serrations 56 on the adjoining faces of the knob 53 and the slide 23. The serrations 56 prevent rotation of the knob 53 unless it is first moved away from the sldie 23 against the action of the spring 55, which rotation alters the torsion on the spring and the biasing force between the blades 39. Blades: The blades 39 are open rearwardly for receiving the tangs 38 and 22 and closed at the front. The tangs may be provided with ridges or ribs to inhibit withdrawal of the blades. Each blade 39 has a semi-circular gauntlet 40 to prevent contact between the pubis and the metal parts of the speculum and after use, narrow sides of the blade 39 may be broken and the blades disposed of. The blades 39 may have plain tips or tips with various arrangements of teeth. The tips may have a socket (76), Fig. 12 (not shown) to carry a plastics or steel insert (78). In another embodiment, a blade has a conduit (86), Fig. 13 (not shown) along the length of the blade for the passage of medicament or for a skewer (87) for gripping the cervix. The skewer (87) is a pointed rod having threaded forward and rear portions (88) and (89) respectively, and is screwed into a cervix using a finger grip (91) and locking it in position with a nut (92). The tip of a blade may also carry an inflatable cuff (96), Fig. 14 (not shown) having a roughened surface (97) for gripping the cervix. The cuff (96) is inflated using saline solution injected through rubber plugs (94) and a channel (93) and may be deflated using a hypodermic syringe (98). Fibre Optics: The fibre optic bundle 59 transmits light from the remote light source 61 to the space between the blades 39 to minimise the weight of the specula. The end of the bundle 59 is fanned out Fig. 7 (not shown) and the bundle 59 may branch out to end in both the blades 39. The bundle 59 is connected to the handle 20 by a left hand threaded stud (62), Fig. 6 (not shown) on the handle 20, a right hand threaded stud (63) on the bundle 59 and a threaded sleeve (64).