US1783602A

US1783602A - Vaginal speculum

Info

Publication number: US1783602A
Application number: US315842A
Authority: US
Inventors: Milton H Damron
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1928-10-29
Filing date: 1928-10-29
Publication date: 1930-12-02
Anticipated expiration: 1947-12-02

Description

Dec. 2, 1930. I DAMRON 1,783,602

VAGINAL SFECULUM Filed Oct. 29, 1928 WWI/70? 7 f7. 0/! NEON Patented Dec. 2, 1930 UNITED STATES MILTON H. DAMRON, OF LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA VAGINAL srncuiium Application filed October 29, 1928. Serial No. 315,842. i

My invention relates to vaginal speculums, and has for its primary object the provision of an instrument of this character for use by physicians and surgeons in making examinations or performing operations relating to parts which are only accessible through the vagina, and the construction and form of the instrument which provides for expanding the vaginal canal in a manner not to obstruct the vision of the surgeon while the patient is being operated upon.

A further object of the invention is to provide a vaginal speculum having means which while fully exposing the orifice of the uterus is characterized in ways that will protect the flesh of the person operated upon against injury by surgical instruments employed while operating.

A further object of the invention is to pro vide a weight forming element in association with a dilating means of the instrument which functions to allow for free drainage of the organ under treatment.

My invention further resides in the novel features of construction of the instrument as herein described and claimed, and wherein Figure 1 is a front view of the instrument;

Figure 2 is a section on line 22 of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a view in rear elevation of the instrument.

In practice, I employ an integral structure 5 which is preferably formed of metal, the same having a guard 6 curved longitudinally to adapt itself to the parts of the body exterior of the vaginal canal, the same having an aperture 7 from which projects a downwardly-extending dilating lip 8. This lip 8 and the aperture 7 allow for an introduction of fluid into the uterine canal and the lip serves further to effect the step of expanding the vaginal canal in a manner which will manifest itself as the description advances.

Leading in a downward direction from the guard 6 is a weighted arm 9 angularly disposed with reference to the lip 8 and the said guard 6. This arm is formed on its front surface with a gutter 10- which terminates at its upper end at the base of the said aperture 7, and at its lower end at the extreme of the arm, for which latter reason dralnage of the vaginal canal can be readily effected. The walls of the gutter merge directly onto the inner surface of the lip 8. The arm is shaped and disposed with respect to the guard 6 and the said lip 8 so that it will properly conform to the anatomy of the patient, and by constructing the same so as to give appreciable or suitable weight thereto, the lip will be assisted in the work of keeping the instrument in proper position during the operation. It, therefore, serves to dilate the vaginal canal and to maintain a position of the guard 6 where it will firmly overlie the flesh of the patient at points around the vagina so as to protect the flesh from injury by, the surgical instruments employed.

It is thought that the manner of using the instrument will be clear to those skilled in the practice of surgery. When an operation is conducted employing the method of diathermy, the guard 6' may be used as a terminal for a carrier of electric current.

The device, while being used as a vagnial speculum, protects the skin and muccous membrane of and around the rectum and vagina from accidental contamination of the surgeons instruments. Such instruments, in some operations, are introduced inside the uterus, and if contaminated might produce peritonitis and the death of the patient.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a vaginal speculum, a body member having a guard formed with an aperture to cover the flesh at all points around the vaginal orifice, a lip extending in one direction from the base of the aperture, and a weight forming arm depending from the guard.

2. In a vaginal speculum, a body member having a guard formed with an aperture to cover the flesh at all points around the vaginal orifice, a lip extending in one direction from the base of the aperture, and a weight forming arm depending from the guard and formed with a gutter whose upper end terminates at the aperture.

8. In a vaginal'speculum, a body member having a guard formed with an aperture to cover the flesh at all points around the vaginal orifice, a lip extending in one direction from the base of the aperture, and a Weight forming arm depending from the guard and formed With a gutter Whose upper end termiininates at the aperture, the said arin having its Walls merged directly into the Walls of the lip.

4. A vaginal speculum comprising a body having a dilating lip, an apertured guard from which the lip extends, the guard being disposed to cover the flesh at all points around the vaginal orifice, and Weight means for urging a dilating force against the lip when the instrument is applied.

MILTON H. DAMRON.

Lveaeoe