GB2242272A

GB2242272A - Exploration and measurement of hymens

Info

Publication number: GB2242272A
Application number: GB9010260A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Carreras Luis Frontela
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-02-15
Filing date: 1990-05-08
Publication date: 1991-09-25
Also published as: GB9010260D0; ES2020435A6

Abstract

Method and apparatus for exploration and measurement of hymens, using an inflatable head-piece (1) with an inflation tube (2) through which air or a fluid is injected to inflate the head-piece, after insertion in the vagina behind the hymen. <IMAGE>

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EXPLORATION AND MEASUREMENT OF HYMENS This invention relates to method and apparatus for exploration and measurement of hymens, whose purpose is to measure the diameter of the hymen and its lumen or distance between its edges, hence identify the diameter of the hymen and/or of the vagina which can be penetrated.

The invention finds application in pursuance of medical techniques for diagnosis and medical examination, including instruments therefor. At present there are no satisfactory instruments or apparatus, and exploration is carried out manually or by introducing different sized glass balls. The advantages of having more convenient and wholesome procedures and mechanisms for these explorations are believed to be evident.

One main use of embodiments of the invention, including apparatus we now call a hymenometer, albeit amongst others, is the exploration of the female genital system in cases of rape, and other events involving sexual interference. It is used in such cases: (a) to determine whether or not penetration could have taken place, measuring the existing diameter between the edges of the hymen (b) to expose and make the hymen sufficiently visible so as to be able to examine it more easily.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided method for exploration and measurement of hymens, wherein an inflatable head-piece is inserted into and expanded within part of the vagina immediately below the hymen to reveal the hymen for inspection.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for exploration and measurement of hymens, characterised by an inflatable head-piece which is insertable into and expandable within part of the vagina immediately beyond the hymen to reveal the hymen for inspection, and an inflation tube connected to the head-piece for inflation purposes.

A hymenometer as apparatus hereof is preferably made of rubber, latex, plastic or any other material or soft substance, elastic or not. Ideally, such hymenometer will be made of sterilizable material and will be disposable, although it can be manufactured in a non-disposable material that is readily sterilizable.

Specific implementation of this invention is now described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a longitudinal side section of a hymenometer; Figure 2 shows a head-piece of the hymenometer of Figure 1 from its rear end; Figure 3 shows the hymenometer expanded; Figure 4 is a section of the mechanism deflated; and Figures 5 & 6 show the hymenometer in situ in a female genital system.

The illustrated hymenometer comprises two main parts, namely a measuring head-piece 1 and an inflation tube 2.

The measuring head-piece 2 is of hollow expansible and collapsible form. Its walls may be of varying thickness, depending on the strength of the material used in its manufacture. Preferred shapes are ovoid or cylindroid, or substantially spherical, or semi-spherical as shown.

Head-piece 1 can be inflated with air, or another gas, water or another liquid, injected through the inflation tube 2. The latter may be welded on, adhered on or made integral with the head piece and goes through the head-piece 1 substantially centrally.

The rear face of the head-piece bears a millimeter scale 3 also marked centimeter by centimeter from its centre, and concentric rings set 4 showing centimeter radii. The lengths of circumferences of penetration can be marked or calculated. The scale could be omitted and other measuring means used.

When inflated, the head-piece 1 has a suitable average diameter, for use as a hymenometer, of about four centimeters, but can be manufactured in several smaller and larger sizes, so that several sizes are available depending on the genital size of the subject to be examined/measured.

The inflation tube 2 is preferably made of rubber, plastics or other fairly soft material. It is hollow and can be made in several sizes and diameters.

It is convenient to consider its tip 5, intra-head-piece portion 6, and pre-head-piece portion 7.

The tip 5 is a continuation of the intra-headpiece portion 6. It is closed or solid and preferably has a curved end which protrudes out centrally from the distal surface of the head-piece 1, and serves as a guide to introduce the head-piece to the desired position for use.

The intra-head-piece portion 6 is hollow tubular and has one or several orifices through which gas or liquid are injected to fill up and expand the head-piece 1, then preventing the tip 5 and distal part from going further than desired.

The pre-head-piece portion 7 is hollow tubular and a continuation of the intra-head-piece portion. It is terminated at its free end with a cap 8 which may be elastic and/or flexible, and may be removable or secured on, say welded. Alternatively, it may form part of the tube. Air or liquid is injected through the cap, and will flow along the inflation tube 2 until the fluid comes out of the orifice(s) of the intra-head-piece portion 6 and inflates the head-piece 1.

Referring to Figures 5 and 6, procedure for exploring a hymen is described.

With the woman in standard gynaecological position, gentle traction is used to open both lips, the tip of a sterilized hymenometer is introduced through the orifice of the hymen, and introduction continues until the head-piece, which is deflated and folded, goes through the hymen, whereupon the head-piece is inflated, usually by injecting air or distilled water through the end of the inflation tube.

Once the head-piece is inflated, the observer can see the near surface of the head-piece and the expanded hymen, enabling measurement of the diameter of its orifice, and can see the expanded hymen, which can thus be easily studied.

In the same way the mechanism described can be used, among other things, to measure the diameters of other objects which are elastic or are not.

Claims

1. Apparatus for exploration and measurement of hymens, characterised by an inflatable head-piece which is insertable into and expandable within part of the vagina immediately beyond the hymen to reveal the hymen for inspection, and an inflation tube connected to the head-piece for inflation purposes.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the headpiece has a marked measuring scale on its face closest to the hymen and visible in use.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the head-piece is on the inflation tube which comprises a pre-head-piece portion with fluid entry provision at its free end, an intra-head-piece portion with one or more orifices through which the fluid enters and inflates the head-piece, and a post-head-piece portion or tip which is closed off and serves to guide vaginal entry.

4. Apparatus for exploration and measurement of hymens arranged and adapted to operate substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

5. Method for exploration and measurement of hymens, wherein an inflatable head-piece is inserted into and expanded within part of the vagina immediately below the hymen to reveal the hymen for inspection.

6. Method according to claim 4, wherein a calibrated marked scale on the face of the head-piece nearest the hymen in use is used for measurement purposes.

7. Method of exploring and measuring hymens substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.