US3332414A - Vaginal speculum having selectively locked angular and vertical blade adjustment means - Google Patents

Vaginal speculum having selectively locked angular and vertical blade adjustment means Download PDF

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Publication number
US3332414A
US3332414A US338946A US33894664A US3332414A US 3332414 A US3332414 A US 3332414A US 338946 A US338946 A US 338946A US 33894664 A US33894664 A US 33894664A US 3332414 A US3332414 A US 3332414A
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Prior art keywords
blade
speculum
distal
proximal
adjustment
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US338946A
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English (en)
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Arthur D Gasper
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Monarch Molding Inc
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Monarch Molding Inc
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Priority to US338946A priority Critical patent/US3332414A/en
Priority to DE19641466865 priority patent/DE1466865A1/de
Priority to GB52781/64A priority patent/GB1080448A/en
Priority to CH31265A priority patent/CH442605A/de
Priority to FR1629A priority patent/FR1423166A/fr
Priority to BE658496D priority patent/BE658496A/xx
Priority to SE667/65A priority patent/SE308001B/xx
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Publication of US3332414A publication Critical patent/US3332414A/en
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/32—Devices for opening or enlarging the visual field, e.g. of a tube of the body

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a surgical instrument, known as a speculum, for examining body orifices or cavities and more particularly to a vaginal speculum of simple construction, yet providing a wide range of adjustability together with ease of operation and manipulation.
  • the simple construction is such as to enable the speculum to be molded from plastic at a relatively inexpensive cost permitting a basic selling price sufiiciently low to warrant disposability after use.
  • a vaginal speculum to be acceptable and satisfactory for various routine examinations and treatments of the vaginal canal and cervix uteri should have the following aspects: relative simplicity of operation; good exposure obtained by its use; a stem or handle to permit handling and facilitate insertion and positioning of the instrument without contaminating the sterilized blades that enter the vagina; and adjustment of both proximal and distal ends of the blades in a simple convenient manner.
  • proximal opening adjustments of all previously known specula are accomplished by different hinge or pivot arrangement, some which must be set prior to insertion of the speculum.
  • distal adjustment latching device of many of the known prior art specula is located offset to one side of the speculum handles, resulting in unbalanced stresses on the distal end pivots or journals and usually separate latch and/ or lock 3,332,4i4 Patented July 25, 1967 devices are required for the proximal and the distal adjustments.
  • a primary object of the present invention resides in the provision of a novel speculum of simple construction enabling ease of manufacture and use.
  • a further object resides in the provision of such a speculum made solely of two pieces of material, the construction of which permits manufacture from plastic material, by molding at such cost to warrant discarding after a single use.
  • a further object resides in the provision of a novel, two-part speculum incorporating plural latching adjustments of both proximal and distal ends of the blades capable of being readily made with one hand, thereby sequentially enabling insertion, positioning, latched adjustment, of both the proximal and distal ends, release of such adjustment and finally, removal, all by use of only one hand of the operator.
  • an object resides in the provision of a single latch device, controlled by the operator thumb pressure and serving to lock the proximal end adjustment as well as to latch the distal end adjustment.
  • Still another object resides in the provision of a novel speculum in which the distal end of the anterior blade is an operating lever and includes the distal access opening with a centrally located latch member, and the latch member coacts with centrally located apertured latching structure integral with the distal end of the posterior blade which constitutes a rigid handle.
  • a still further object resides in the provision of a novel speculum incorporating both proximal and distal blade adjustments wherein the distal end of the anterior blade, when the distal ends of the blades are closed, remains at the same distance from the end of the posterior blade regardless of the proximal end adjustment.
  • vaginal speculum having the distal end of the anterior blade constructed with a specific configuration to eliminate the imposition of painful pressure upon the cervical os during opening of the distal ends of the blades of the speculum after insertion.
  • FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a two piece, molded vaginal speculum made in accord with the present invention, the arrangement illustrating an intermediate condition subsequent to insertion and after the proximal end adjustment has been made;
  • FIGURES 2-5 are side views of the speculum shown in FIGURE 1 illustrating a few of the various adjustment conditions which an operator can accomplish, FIGURE 2 illustrating the collapsed condition for insertion and removal and FIGURES 3-5 showing, respectively, small, medium and large adjustments at both the proximal and distal ends of the speculum;
  • FIGURE 6 is a larger scale side view of one of the speculum pieces, the posterior blade which includes the handle;
  • FIGURE 7 is a partially broken away elevation view looking in a direction normal to the handle structure of the piece shown in FIGURE 6;
  • FIGURE 8 is a partially broken away plan view looking in a direction normal to the trough of the posterior blade
  • FIGURES 9 and 10 are section views taken respectively on lines 99 and 10-10 of FIGURE 7, showing handle and handle latch bar details;
  • FIGURES 11, 12 and 13 are section views taken respectively on lines 11-41, 12-12 and 13-13 of FIG- URE 8, showing molded contours of the posterior blade;
  • FIGURE 14 is a detail section viwe taken on line 14- 14 of FIGURE 7 and illustrated latch bar aperture construction in the handle;
  • FIGURE 15 is a large scale side view of the second speculum piece, the anterior blade with proximal access opening and latch member;
  • FIGURE 16 is a partially broken away view looking in a direction normal to the plane of the proximal opening of the blade in FIGURE 15;
  • FIGURE 17 is a plan view, from below, of the anterior blade looking normal into the trough of the blade.
  • FIGURES l8, l9 and are sections views across the anterior blade taken respectively on lines 1818, 1919 and 2020 of FIGURE 15, showing molded contours of that piece.
  • FIGURES 6-20 are scale drawings, the original patent drawings depicting the parts in their full size with specific contours finally arrived at to accomplish satisfactory and economically feasible, injection molded fabrication of an actual operable speculum.
  • the full scale can be determined by using 8.5 inches as the maximum dimension from blade tip to the end corner of the handle in FIG- URE 6.
  • the exemplary bivalve speculum is a vaginal speculum and is made of two separable parts or members 20 and 22. Each part is a single structurally integral piece.
  • Member 20 includes the anterior blade 24, the proximal access opening or throat 26, integral pivot studs or journals 28 and 30, one on each side of the throat 26.
  • the throat 26 is defined by the upwardly flared and faired proximal end 32 of the anterior blade which passes into two side plates 34 and 36 projecting slightly down and away from the studs 28 and to a curved joinder portion or bight 38, which is a thumb rest and is made thicker than the vertical side plates for strength, and constitutes the bottom of the proximal throat 26.
  • the side plates and their joinder bight 38 provide an operating lever which is used for accomplishing both the proximal and distal adjustment of the speculum as will be described.
  • Several short lateral ridges 40 extend up from the wide top surface of the bight 38 and provide a high frictional surface at the thumb rest of the operating lever.
  • a rigid latching lug 42 with plural inclined teeth 44 extending rearwardly from an arcuate back face 46 of the latch lug.
  • the face 46 of the latch lug is arcuate about the axis of the pivot studs 28 and 30, the top, latching faces of teeth '44 are preferably inclined to the rear face of lug 42 to form a slight acute angle (several degrees less than 90) while the lower faces of the teeth are substantially inclined, e.g., 135 degrees or more to the arcuate lug face, enabling ratcheting of the teeth into desired adjusted positions past a selected latch bar on the posterior blade piece, as will be hereinafter described.
  • the lateral cross section shape of the latch lug 42 is channel shaped, the two side flanges of which provide a high degree of rigidity resisting flexure of the lug.
  • Both blades are specifically contoured to provide an interrelated configuration which will be described following a description of the posterior blade piece.
  • Posterior member 22 includes the posterior blade 50, two side journal arms 52 and 54 and a handle portion 56.
  • the major extent of the posterior blade is trough like with changing cross section, the upper side edges of the blade lying in a common plane from adjacent the distal end to a point where the journal arms project upward.
  • the proximal end of the posterior blade flares at 58 in a smoothly faired configuration matching the flared proximal end 32 of the anterior blade.
  • an integral portion of the posterior member 22 continues, at about a 45-degree inclination to the blade, into the rigid contoured handle 56 which terminates in a finger stop 62 on the underside of the handle.
  • Journal arms 52 and 54 are pierced with similar undulated slot-like apertures 64 and 66, are substantially parallel, and provide a yoke, the apertured arms of which receive the pivot studs 28 and 30 of the anterior member with the sides of the proximal end of the anterior blade embraced between the arms.
  • each undulated slot consists of a plurality (three being illustrated) of journal sockets 68, 70 and 72 formed on a larger radius of curvature than the pivot studs 28 and 30 to permit a slight free play, for reasons to become apparent later in this description.
  • the side projections of the center socket curves into the adjacent sockets and the width of the undulated slots 64 and 66 permit the two pivot studs to be shifted from one set of sockets to another set of sockets, as long as the speculum is not latched.
  • FIGURE 6 it will be seen that the center points of the circular bottoms of sockets 68, 70 and 72 he on a common are swung about a point on the upper edge of the posterior blade 50 near its distal end 76.
  • the distal end 78 of the anterior blade will remain at substantially the same location relative to the distal end 76 of the posterior blade regardless of the proximal end adjustment setting, in other words the blade end relationship is the same when the pivot studs are placed in any of the three sets of journal sockets.
  • a wide upper section 80 of handle 56 has an open center grid with three spaced apart, laterally extended cross bars 82, 84 and 86 each of which has a sharply formed lower forward edge.
  • the openings 88, 90 and 92 adjacent the forward edge of each cross bar are accurately shaped to receive and permit close but free passage of the arcuate latch lug 42 of the anterior member 20 when the pivot studs 28 and 30 are fully seated in a related set of the journal ear sockets 68, 70 or 72.
  • the arcuate latch lug 42 can move down through the lower handle opening 92; with the studs in middle sockets 70 (see FIGURE 4) the lug 42 can move down through the middle handle opening 90; and with the studs in upper sockets 72 (see FIGURE 5) the lug 42 can move down through the upper handle opening 88.
  • the two parts 20 and 22 slightly flexing the yoke arms anterior member 20 into place 30 disposed in the socket slots 64 and 66. Both parts are preferably, but not necessarily, molded from clear, nontoxic polystyrene plastic having high strength and high rigidity characteristics.
  • the configuration of the two pieces 20 and 22, as accurately depicted in the drawings is capable of and has actually been molded in automatic molding machines.
  • any of the three adjustment positions of the proximal ends of the blades can be set while the distal ends are closed. Thereafter, depression of the lever structure, which varies the proximal opening 26, pivots the anterior blade about the specific socket in which the studs are disposed and spreads the blades, at the same time causing the arcuate latch lug 42 to descend into an associated one of the latch bar openings in the handle. As soon as the lug 42 projects into a handle opening 88, 90 or 92, the pivot studs 28 and 30 will be locked in their set socket position, i.e., they can not shift to another set of sockets as long as the lug 42 cooperates with a handle hole.
  • the ridges 40 create a frictional resistance against the thumb slipping forward and the resultant reaction force urges the anterior member 20 in a direction keeping the pivot studs 28 and 30, bottomed in whichever set of sockets they are disposed.
  • the opening 88, '90 and 92 will permit the lug latch teeth 44 to pass just clear of the rearwardly disposed latch bar 82, 84 or 86 associated with the specific opening into which the lug 42 moves.
  • the force urging the rearward shift of the anterior member occurs, after the speculum has been inserted in the vagina, due to the elastic constricting action of the vulva and the vaginal s against the flared proximal ends 32 and 58 of the two blades.
  • the elastic constricting action of the distended vagina is urging the blades 24 and 50 toward a closed condition.
  • the first described action against the flared ends urges the appropriate latch tooth 44 to a rear position under the associated latch bar 82, 84 or 86 whereas the second described force urging the blades to closed condition tends to raise the arcuate lug 42 and will cause the nearest latch tooth under the associated latch bar to abut fiat against and latched under the bar.
  • Any one of the four teeth in the illustrated embodiment can be latched under any of the three bars in the illustrated embodiment, providing in that embodiment four distal blade spreads for each of three proximal blade spreads.
  • FIGURE 3 the proximal spread is set at the small size and the second one of the latch teeth 44 is latched under the latch bar 86 providing a rather small distal spread.
  • FIGURE 4 illustrates a medium setting for the proximal spread and the third of the latch teeth is latched under the associated latch bar for a wide spread of the distal ends of the blades.
  • FIGURE 5 illustrates the large size proximal setting and the largest distal spread realized by latching the number four tooth under the associated bar.
  • the shape of the blades has been scientifically devised to provide an initial rounded but flattened contour (see FIGURES 12, 13 and 20) of small cross sectional area at the distal end for ease of introduction and continued insertion with the handle initially disposed to one side.
  • the contour progressively changes to a more rounded cross-section of slightly increased area (see FIGURES l1 and 19) to an almost round contour at flared ends 32 and 58, thus assisting in a gradual dilatation with minimum pain and/ or discomfort as insertion progresses with gradual rotation until the handle is in the usual depending examination disposition.
  • This contour change provides a more comfortable dilatation because progressive distension of the vagina along the length of the blades is minimized due to the very slight increase in cross sectional area of the portions of the combined blades designed for disposition within the vagina.
  • the relatively wide distal ends of both blades maintain a substantially wider cavity within the dilatated vagina adjacent the cervix than is obtained with specula having circular distal ends.
  • the posterior blades wide rdistal lip 94 is placed under the posterior cervical lip and the distal end of the anterior blade is then elevated until the cervix is visible.
  • the distal end of the anterior blade usually scrapes and traumatizes the cervical 0s which occasionally is pressed or deflected upward and back with the anterior blade and additional manipulation of the speculum becomes necessary to bring the cervix into view.
  • the present invention prevents discomfort of such engagement by providing a concave recess 98, see FIGURE 1 7, in the distal end 78 of the anterior blade 24, permitting the opening movement of the anterior blade to be made without appreciable contact and pressure against the cervix.
  • the relief has been accomplished without sacrificing anterior blade length which is necessary to carry vaginal folds away from the cervix, inasmuch as the wide flat distal end provides full blade length on either side of the recess 98.
  • Those previously known vaginal specula in which the anterior blade relationship becomes shorter as the opening increases allow vaginal folds to fall back in front of the cervix and obscure it from view.
  • Ratchet lug 42 may then be secured in any one of four latching positions by easing the forward pressure on the thumb rest 38 and permitting locking contact of a tooth 44 under the rear shoulder or latching bar 82, 84 or 86. This action will result in any one of four open positions on the distal end of the blades. The slight elastic pressure of the labia, vaginal s and vaginal walls assures that these positions will be held until the operator wishes to remove the instrument.
  • Removal is accomplished by pressing forward on thumb rest 38, overcoming the pressure exerted by the patient and allowing the ratchet lug teeth -44 to disengage the latch bar and for the lug to retract and to clear the associated opening 88, 90 or 92, closing the distal ends.
  • Pivot studs 28 and 30 will now be free to drop to the lowest position, sockets 68 in yoke arms 52 and 54, moving the proximal ends of the blades to closed position for removal.
  • Handle 56 is constructed at a substantial obtuse angle to the posterior blade to assure clearance of the operators hand from other body areas,
  • the toe 62 of handle 56 gives the operator a shoulder to pull down while preventing his hand slipping from the instrument. (It is occasionally necessary to pull down on the instrument during insertion for proper dilatation.)
  • anterior blade 24 and posterior blade 50 are shaped designed to interlock in a quasi-nested position when the speculum is fully closed (end 78 of the anterior blade is nested below end 76 of the postieror blade due to the inclined lip 97 at end '76) thus, assuring a smooth rounded surface for ease of insertion.
  • the blades 24 and 50 are also constructed to stay in this nested position at the distal ends while the pivot studs 28 and 30 are being shifted to the proximal end adjustment position selected by the operator. At this stage, before the blades are spread, the operator is able to see into the cavity between the blades through the proximal throat or opening 26.
  • Blade 24 may then be elevated at the distal end by pressure on thumb rest 38 as has been described.
  • Lower blade 50 is 14 mm. longer than upper blade 24. This relationship is maintained in each of the proximal end pivot positions.
  • Upper blade 24 has a distal end cut out 98 that is shaped to aid in clearing the patients cervical os when the distal end of lower blade 50 and lip 97 is placed under the cervix and the upper blade 24 is raised to any of the four adjustment positions.
  • Novel adjustment construction is accomplished in but two compact pieces,
  • the single coordinating proximal and distal end lock is central to provide distributed stresses to the hinges and at the same time the handle portion is provided with sufiicient angularity from the blade sections to assure clearance of operators hand from the posterior labial and other regions.
  • Distance of nested tip of anterior blade from tip of posterior blade remains constant regardless of location of proximal adjustment.
  • a cutout in the end of the anterior blade enables operative clearance of the cervical os.
  • the instrument is conceived and constructed to provide a practical vaginal speculum, capable of being molded from plastic and ofierin'g many advantages over metal specula and further permitting manufacture at a price enabling the speculum to be thrown away after a single use.
  • a two piece speculum with a dilatory blade on each piece comprising: cooperating shiftable hinge means on one adjacent set of ends of said blades enabling separate separation adjustment of both the proximal and distal ends of said blades; and a positive locking means comprising portions of both of said two pieces structurally spaced away from said hinge means, and each said portion of said locking means comprising a plurality of latch abut-ments, selected different pairs of which on each of said two portions cooperate in latched abutment for every different adjustment of said speculum; said locking means, upon effective distal end opening adjustment, enabling locked retention of the proximal end opening adjustment and preventing further adjustment of the proximal ends as long as said distal ends are effectively separated and also enabling latched retention of the distal opening adjustment of said selectively adjusted blades in selected positions of adjustment.
  • a speculum comprising: a first dilator blade with distal and proximal ends; a second dilator blade with distal and proximal ends; pivotable means interconnecting said proximal ends enabling sepanate separation of both said proximal ends and said distal ends; handle means on said second blade; lever means on said first blade enabling manipulation of said pivotable interconnecting means for a plurality of independent opening adjustments of both the proximal and distal ends of said blades in a selective manner; and a positive locking means comprising portions of both said handle means and said lever means structurally spaced away from said pivotable means, and each said portion of said locking means comprising a plurality of latch abutments, selected ditterent pairs of which on each of said two portions cooperate in latched abutment for every dilterent adjustment of said speculum; said locking means, upon effective distal end opening adjustment, enabling locked retention of the proximal end opening adjustment and preventing further adjustment of the proximal
  • said means interconnecting said first and said second blades comprise: a bifurcated portion integral with the proximal end of one of said blades providing substantially parallel, elongate and spaced apart side ears, each ear including a plurality of bearing means disposed at different positions along said ears, each bearing means in one ear having an associated similarly disposed bearing means in the other ear; said proximal end of said other blade includes journal means on opposite sides thereof adapted to be selectively shifted between and into bearing engagement with associated pairs of said similarly disposed bearing means; and said common locking means, when activated, blocks said journal means from full removal away from the selected bearing means.
  • each of said bearing means is a socket, and the side walls of adjacent sockets merge to provide a curved abutment.
  • journal means are pivot studs; each of said plurality of bearing means in each ear constitutes a closed end slot, at least one edge of which is undulated, the bottom of the undulations in said one edge of said slot constituting said sockets and the rises of the undulations in said one edge constituting said merged curved abutments.
  • journal means are coaxial pivot studs which coact with associated pairs of said sockets to enable proximal end adjustment opening of the speculum, at least the portions of said studs which engage said sockets and the bottoms of said sockets constituting portions of cylindrical surfaces to enable relative pivoting of said two blades about the axis of said pivot studs, regardless of the sockets which selectively seat said pivot studs, for distal end adjustment of said speculum.
  • a speculum as defined in claim 2 said second blade having a trough shape with side edges and said first blade having an approximately matching inverted trough shape with side edges, separate short depending projections on at least one of said blades, at least one of said projections being located adjacent each of the side edges of the distal end of said one blade and adapted to be disposed immediately adjacent .and inside of the side edges of the other of said blades when said distal ends are closed to provide an interlock between said closed distal ends and inhibit relative lateral shifting of said blades.
  • a speculum as defined in claim.2 for use as a vaginal speculum, wherein said first blade is the anterior blade and said second blade is the posterior blade, said anterior blade is shorter than said posterior blade, and said means enabling relative separation of said proximal ends of said blades, and thereby enabling a plurality of proximal blade opening adjustments while the distal blade ends remain closed, are geometrically arranged relative to a location adjacent the distal end of said posterior blade 10 r so that the spacing between the closed distal ends of said two blades is maintained substantially equal for every proximal end adjustment position.
  • a speculum as defined in claim 2 consisting solely of two pieces, each of which is a structurally integral piece of injection molded non-toxic, high strength, hard plastic, and each piece comprising one of said blades, a portion of said interconnecting means and a portion of said locking means.
  • each multiple bearing means constitutes a closed undulated slot; said journal means are oppositely projecting coaxial journal studs disposed for selectively adjustable, pivotal cooperation in matched pairs of depressions in the undulated slots in said two ears; said first blade being the anterior blade with the terminal edge of its distal end being provided with a concave recess to enable bypassing of the cervix upon elevating of the distal end of said anterior blade, after insertion, into examination position; said posterior blade has a trough shape with side edges; said anterior blade has an approximately matching but shorter inverted trough shape with side edges; and a short depending projection is located adjacent each of the side edges of the distal end of one of said blades and is adapted to be disposed immediately adjacent and inside of the side edges of the other of said blades when said distal ends are closed to provide an interlock between closed distal ends to inhibit relative lateral shifting of said blades.
  • said common locking means comprises a toothed substantially rigid tongue carried by said lever means and projecting toward said handle, and a multiplicity of latch abutment edges on said handle, separate ones of which are adapted to be individually engaged by all teeth on said tongue depending upon the pair of undulation depressions into which said journal studs are selectively placed and upon selective distal end adjustment movement; and said tongue and any selected latch abutment edge on said handle are adapted to coact and maintain said two blades in adjusted positions of proximal opening by abutment of said tongue against the selected latch bar and in adjusted positions of distal opening by latching engagement of a tooth on said tongue with an edge of the selected latch abutment edge on said handle.
  • a speculum comprising: the combination of two members; one member including a first dilator blade and a handle with opposed side ear pieces and multiple bearing means being formed in each ear piece, each multiple bearing means constituting a closed undulated slot; the second member includes a second dilator blade and a proximal lever member defining the proximal throat opening, side portions of said lever means having oppositely projecting coaxial journal studs for selectively adjustable, pivotal cooperation with matched pairs of undulated depressions in said two ears; a toothed substantially rigid tongue carried by said lever means and projecting toward said handle; and a multiplicity of latch abutment edges on said handle, separate ones of which are adapted to be individually engaged by all teeth on said tongue depending upon the pair of undulation depressions into which the journal studs are selectively placed and upon selective distal end adjustment movement; said tongue and any selected latch abutment edge on said handle being adapted to coact and maintain said two blades in adjusted positions of proximal opening by abut
  • a speculum comprising: a first member with a posterior blade; a second member with an anterior blade; means connecting said members enabling relative opening movement of said blades; said posterior blade having a trough shape with side edges; said anterior blade having an approximately matching but shorter inverted trough shape With side edges; and a short depending projection located adjacent each of the side edges of the distal end of the 12 anterior blade and adapted to be disposed immediately adjacent and inside of the side edges of the posterior blade when said distal ends are closed to provide an interlock between closed distal ends and inhibit relative lateral shifting of said blades.
US338946A 1964-01-20 1964-01-20 Vaginal speculum having selectively locked angular and vertical blade adjustment means Expired - Lifetime US3332414A (en)

Priority Applications (7)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US338946A US3332414A (en) 1964-01-20 1964-01-20 Vaginal speculum having selectively locked angular and vertical blade adjustment means
DE19641466865 DE1466865A1 (de) 1964-01-20 1964-07-10 Zweiteiliges Spekulum
GB52781/64A GB1080448A (en) 1964-01-20 1964-12-30 Vagina speculum
CH31265A CH442605A (de) 1964-01-20 1965-01-11 Zweiteiliges Spekulum
FR1629A FR1423166A (fr) 1964-01-20 1965-01-12 Spéculum chirurgical
BE658496D BE658496A (de) 1964-01-20 1965-01-19
SE667/65A SE308001B (de) 1964-01-20 1965-01-19

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US338946A US3332414A (en) 1964-01-20 1964-01-20 Vaginal speculum having selectively locked angular and vertical blade adjustment means

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US3332414A true US3332414A (en) 1967-07-25

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US338946A Expired - Lifetime US3332414A (en) 1964-01-20 1964-01-20 Vaginal speculum having selectively locked angular and vertical blade adjustment means

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US (1) US3332414A (de)
BE (1) BE658496A (de)
CH (1) CH442605A (de)
DE (1) DE1466865A1 (de)
FR (1) FR1423166A (de)
GB (1) GB1080448A (de)
SE (1) SE308001B (de)

Cited By (46)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3568665A (en) * 1967-10-20 1971-03-09 Sture Lindgren Speculum for examination of cavity
US3575163A (en) * 1968-02-12 1971-04-20 Monarch Molding Inc Vaginal speculum
US3650266A (en) * 1970-02-02 1972-03-21 Illinois Tool Works Speculum
US3702606A (en) * 1970-04-21 1972-11-14 Rancray Ltd Speculum
US3769968A (en) * 1971-11-22 1973-11-06 L Blount Speculum
US3815585A (en) * 1971-01-14 1974-06-11 Bio Analytical Labor Inc Disposable vaginal speculum
US3847143A (en) * 1973-05-01 1974-11-12 Medspecs Inc Speculum
US3890961A (en) * 1973-08-23 1975-06-24 Welch Allyn Inc Disposable vaginal speculum
US4232660A (en) * 1979-03-26 1980-11-11 Coles Robert L Winged irrigating surgical retractor
FR2610507A1 (fr) * 1987-02-11 1988-08-12 Cornier Edgar Speculum vaginal a usage unique
US4766887A (en) * 1986-06-19 1988-08-30 Welch Allyn, Inc. Disposable vaginal speculum
EP0406489A1 (de) * 1988-02-04 1991-01-09 Chenault D. Lee Vaginalspekulum für einmaligen Gebrauch
WO1991009563A1 (en) * 1989-12-21 1991-07-11 Advanced Medical Devices Incorporated Vaginal speculum
US5174278A (en) * 1990-11-26 1992-12-29 Beth Babkow Downward rotating speculum with conical shaped blades
US5545122A (en) * 1994-10-12 1996-08-13 Spruill; Theresa Inflatable speculum
EP1096883A1 (de) * 1998-07-10 2001-05-09 Hier Spec, Inc. Spekulum
EP1637066A2 (de) * 2004-09-20 2006-03-22 Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KG Spreizbares medizinisches Instrument für endoskopische Eingriffe
US20060224043A1 (en) * 2005-04-04 2006-10-05 Guinan William P Vaginal speculum
US20080146886A1 (en) * 2006-12-18 2008-06-19 David Brian Lucas Speculum
US20090177044A1 (en) * 2006-04-24 2009-07-09 Yoram Cohen Disposable speculum
US20090203968A1 (en) * 2008-02-07 2009-08-13 Kevin Winslow Vaginal speculum with solid rounded edges
US20090326331A1 (en) * 2008-06-25 2009-12-31 Howard Steven Rosen Examination Apparatus
US9307897B2 (en) 2010-09-28 2016-04-12 Obp Corporation Disposable speculum having lateral stabilizing mechanism
US9332898B2 (en) 2005-04-01 2016-05-10 Welch Allyn, Inc. Vaginal speculum apparatus
US9532706B2 (en) 2014-08-07 2017-01-03 Welch Allyn, Inc. Vaginal speculum with illuminator
US20170181615A1 (en) * 2015-12-29 2017-06-29 CEEK Enterprises Ergonomically designed vaginal speculum
US20170181616A1 (en) * 2015-12-29 2017-06-29 CEEK Enterprises Speculum with secondary bills
US20170347871A1 (en) * 2016-06-02 2017-12-07 Centurion Medical Products Corporation Vaginal speculum
US9867602B2 (en) 2015-02-05 2018-01-16 Obp Medical Corporation Illuminated surgical retractor
US9913577B2 (en) 2010-09-28 2018-03-13 Obp Medical Corporation Speculum
US10278572B1 (en) 2017-10-19 2019-05-07 Obp Medical Corporation Speculum
US10420538B2 (en) 2015-02-05 2019-09-24 Obp Medical Corporation Illuminated surgical retractor
US10512519B2 (en) 2018-02-20 2019-12-24 Obp Medical Corporation Illuminated medical devices
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US11896201B2 (en) 2015-12-29 2024-02-13 Ceek Women's Health, Inc. Insertable sleeve for speculum and use thereof
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US3650266A (en) * 1970-02-02 1972-03-21 Illinois Tool Works Speculum
US3702606A (en) * 1970-04-21 1972-11-14 Rancray Ltd Speculum
US3815585A (en) * 1971-01-14 1974-06-11 Bio Analytical Labor Inc Disposable vaginal speculum
US3769968A (en) * 1971-11-22 1973-11-06 L Blount Speculum
US3847143A (en) * 1973-05-01 1974-11-12 Medspecs Inc Speculum
US3890961A (en) * 1973-08-23 1975-06-24 Welch Allyn Inc Disposable vaginal speculum
US4232660A (en) * 1979-03-26 1980-11-11 Coles Robert L Winged irrigating surgical retractor
US4766887A (en) * 1986-06-19 1988-08-30 Welch Allyn, Inc. Disposable vaginal speculum
FR2610507A1 (fr) * 1987-02-11 1988-08-12 Cornier Edgar Speculum vaginal a usage unique
EP0406489A1 (de) * 1988-02-04 1991-01-09 Chenault D. Lee Vaginalspekulum für einmaligen Gebrauch
WO1991009563A1 (en) * 1989-12-21 1991-07-11 Advanced Medical Devices Incorporated Vaginal speculum
US5231973A (en) * 1989-12-21 1993-08-03 Advanced Medical Devices Incorporated Vaginal speculum
US5174278A (en) * 1990-11-26 1992-12-29 Beth Babkow Downward rotating speculum with conical shaped blades
US5545122A (en) * 1994-10-12 1996-08-13 Spruill; Theresa Inflatable speculum
EP1096883A1 (de) * 1998-07-10 2001-05-09 Hier Spec, Inc. Spekulum
EP1096883A4 (de) * 1998-07-10 2003-05-02 Hier Spec Inc Spekulum
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EP1637066A3 (de) * 2004-09-20 2006-05-03 Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KG Spreizbares medizinisches Instrument für endoskopische Eingriffe
US9044184B2 (en) 2004-09-20 2015-06-02 Karl Storz Gmbh & Co. Kg Spreadable medical instrument for endoscopic interventions
EP1637066A2 (de) * 2004-09-20 2006-03-22 Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KG Spreizbares medizinisches Instrument für endoskopische Eingriffe
US20070060794A1 (en) * 2004-09-20 2007-03-15 Andreas Efinger Spreadable medical instrument for endoscopic interventions
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US9883792B2 (en) 2005-04-01 2018-02-06 Welch Allyn, Inc. Vaginal speculum apparatus
US9949633B2 (en) 2005-04-01 2018-04-24 Welch Allyn, Inc. Vaginal speculum apparatus
US20060224043A1 (en) * 2005-04-04 2006-10-05 Guinan William P Vaginal speculum
US7384393B2 (en) * 2005-04-04 2008-06-10 Guinan William P Vaginal speculum
US20090177044A1 (en) * 2006-04-24 2009-07-09 Yoram Cohen Disposable speculum
US20080146886A1 (en) * 2006-12-18 2008-06-19 David Brian Lucas Speculum
US20090203968A1 (en) * 2008-02-07 2009-08-13 Kevin Winslow Vaginal speculum with solid rounded edges
US20110237902A1 (en) * 2008-06-25 2011-09-29 Howard Steven Rosen Examination Apparatus
US8083673B2 (en) 2008-06-25 2011-12-27 Howard Steven Rosen Examination apparatus
US20090326331A1 (en) * 2008-06-25 2009-12-31 Howard Steven Rosen Examination Apparatus
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US11147444B2 (en) * 2015-12-29 2021-10-19 Ceek Women's Health, Inc. Speculum with secondary bills
US11931002B2 (en) 2015-12-29 2024-03-19 Ceek Women's Health, Inc. Sleeve for speculum and use thereof
US20170181615A1 (en) * 2015-12-29 2017-06-29 CEEK Enterprises Ergonomically designed vaginal speculum
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US20170347871A1 (en) * 2016-06-02 2017-12-07 Centurion Medical Products Corporation Vaginal speculum
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CH442605A (de) 1967-08-31
BE658496A (de) 1965-07-19
SE308001B (de) 1969-01-27
FR1423166A (fr) 1966-01-03
GB1080448A (en) 1967-08-23
DE1466865A1 (de) 1969-03-27

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