MEDICAL SPECULUM

Abstract: A speculum sleeve (10) is provided and consists of a sleeve of elastic material which is applied over the jaws (1, 2) of the speculum and which stretches when the jaws are opened so that sleeve portions (10A, 10B) span the openings between the jaws to prevent prolapse of tissue into the tunnel defined by the open jaws. The sleeve can be supplied in a rolled condition for ease of application and may have a bead (11) at one end to assist removal from the speculum jaws by rolling up the sleeve from the beaded end.

Description: Medical Speculum This invention is concerned with an improved medical speculum, and a sleeve therefor. In the performance of certain medical procedures and inspections on females, instruments are introduced through the vaginal canal. To facilitate such procedures it is usual to use a speculum to retract the walls of the vagina to form a clear passage for the instruments being employed. A known form of speculum currently in common use comprises a pair of jaws which are adjustable, e.g. pivotally, between a closed condition to facilitate insertion into the vagina, and an open position in which the jaws are intended to retain the vaginal walls in a dilated condition. When the jaws are expanded, lateral openings are created between the two jaws and, with some patients, the vaginal walls can prolapse through these openings into the interior of the passage formed through the speculum, whereby unobstructed free movement of the instruments through the passage is hindered. In addition, the view of the cervix uteri may be hindered, thus for instance reducing the accuracy of cervical smear taking. In some instances it is important that contact between a medical instrument being used and the vaginal walls should be avoided. The invention addresses the problem explained above and according to a first aspect resides in a speculum having elongate parts adjustable transversely to an open position, and elastic elements extending between the elongate parts for transversing gaps opened up therebetween when the parts are adjusted to the open position. Conveniently, the elastic elements are provided by at least one annular elastic member extending about the elongate parts which may be the jaws of a conventional speculum. Whilst a number of elastic collars positioned along the jaws could be used, most preferably a unitary sleeve of elastic material, e.g. natural or synthetic rubber, such as polyurethane, neoprene or nitrile, is disposed around the jaws and is arranged to extend over at least a major part of the length of the jaws. With the provision of such a sleeve, the expanded speculum with its jaws opened defines a tube which will ensure that the vaginal walls are effectively held against collapsing inwardly around the entire circumference. As a result improved visualisation of the cervix and ease of access for surgical and diagnostic procedures can be gained. According to a second aspect the invention resides in a sleeve of elastic material adapted to be applied over the jaws of a speculum for bridging openings which would otherwise be created between the jaws when they are moved apart. The speculum sleeve is preferably a disposable item intended to be discarded after single use. It is conveniently provided in a rolled condition for ease of application to the jaws. To facilitate the rolling action the sleeve may be provided with a bead at one end (similar to the bead commonly found at the open end of a condom), and when correctly applied to the speculum jaws the bead lies adjacent the proximal ends of the jaws. If desired, e.g. for strengthening, beads could be provided at both ends and/or ribs formed by thicker material could be formed at spaced intervals along the sleeve. Sleeves of different sizes can be provided according to the length and circumference of the jaws, but in most cases a sleeve length in the range of 3 to 8 cms, and more specifically, 4 to 7 cms, will be appropriate, and a lay flat width of about 1 to 4 cms, more particularly 2 to 3 cms will be acceptable, although it should be understood that the invention is not limited to these dimensions. The material of the sleeve will be sufficiently elastic to enable the speculum jaws to be opened to their maximum expansion without risk of the sleeve mpturing. If desired the outer surface of the sleeve may be treated or coated to provide a reduced friction coating surface treatments or polymer coatings typically used to assist the donning of surgical gloves may be employed. The speculum sleeves of the invention may be supplied in either sterile or non-sterile condition according to customer requirements. A better understanding of the invention will be gained from the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 shows in side elevation a vaginal speculum fitted with an elastic sleeve, in accordance with the invention, and Figure 2 is a section taken along the line II-II in Figure 1. The vaginal speculum illustrated in the drawing has a first jaw 1 integrally attached at its proximal end to an annular frame 3 from which extends an arm 4. A second jaw 2 has its proximal end hinged to the frame for pivotal movement about a transverse axis 5. The second jaw has an integral arm 6 which extends forwardly and downwardly at an angle to the arm 4. The distal ends of the jaws are rounded. By squeezing together the arms 4,6, which together form a handle of the speculum, the jaws 1,2 are adjustable from a closed position in which they are substantially parallel, to an open position in which the jaws diverge towards their distal ends, as shown in Figure 1. As so far described, the speculum is of known construction. According to the invention a replaceable cylindrical elastic sleeve 10 is provided. The sleeve,- which is made of elastomer, is formed with a bead 11 at one end and is initially supplied in a rolled condition, i.e. rolled up from the bead end. The sleeve is applied to the speculum jaws 1,2 by placing the rolled sleeve over the distal ends of the jaws and then unrolling the sleeve so that it extends along a major part of the length of the jaws. With the jaws closed, the sleeve is lightly stretched about the jaws to resist any tendency for the sleeve to ruck up when the jaws are introduced into the vagina in the closed condition. Upon the jaws being opened apart, as shown, by the arms 4,6 being squeezed together, the sleeve 10 stretches and the lateral openings that are formed between the jaws are covered by the sleeve elements 10A,10B extending between the jaws to prevent prolapse of tissue into the tunnel defined between the opened jaws. In this way it is ensured that the tunnel remains clear for unobstructed viewing or passage of medical instruments. When the inspection or procedure being carried out has been completed and the speculum has been withdrawn from the vagina, the sleeve 10 can be easily removed from the jaws 1,2 by rolling up from the beaded end. Modifications to the invention are possible without departing from its scope. For example it may be mentioned that the sleeve need not be a continuous film and it could have the form of an elastomeric mesh or be formed to provide a series of strip-like elements to bridge the openings between the speculum jaws.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A speculum having parts (1 ,2) adjustable transversely to an open position, characterised in that elastic elements (10A,10B) are arranged to extend between the elongate parts to span gaps opened up therebetween when the parts are adjusted to the open position. 2. A speculum according to claim 1 , wherein the elements (10A,10B) are provided by an annular member (10) extending about the elongate parts. 3. A speculum according to claim 2, wherein the member (10) is removably mounted over the elongate parts (1,2). 4. A speculum according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the member is a sleeve (10) of elastic material. 5. A speculum according to claim 4, wherein the elongate parts (1,2) have free distal ends and proximal ends, and the sleeve has a bead (11) at the end thereof located adjacent to the proximal ends of the elongate parts. 6. A speculum according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the sleeve has an outer surface with reduced frictional properties. 7. A sleeve (10) of elastic material adapted to be applied removably over the jaws (1,2) of a speculum and to be stretched upon opening of the jaws for portions (10A,10B) of the sleeve to bridge openings which would otherwise be created between the jaws (1,2). 8. A speculum sleeve according to claim 7, wherein the sleeve (10) is supplied in a rolled condition for application to the speculum jaws (1,2) by being unrolled along the jaws from their distal ends. 9. A speculum sleeve according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the bead (11) is provided at the end of the sleeve to be located adjacent the proximal ends of the jaws. 10. A speculum sleeve according to claim 7 , 8 or 9, wherein the sleeve length is in the range of 3 to 8 cms. 11. A speculum sleeve according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the sleeve has a lay flat width in the range of 1 to 4 cms. 12. A speculum sleeve according to any one of claims 7 to 11 , wherein the outer surface of the sleeve is treated or coated to provide reduced frictional properties at said surface.

Inventors: CARLIN ELIZABETH MARIE, SMITH JAMES RICHARD, SMITH NICOLA AILEEN, CARLIN, ELIZABETH, MARIE, SMITH, JAMES, RICHARD, SMITH, NICOLA, AILEEN
Applicants: CARLIN ELIZABETH MARIE, SMITH JAMES RICHARD, SMITH NICOLA AILEEN, CARLIN, ELIZABETH, MARIE, SMITH, JAMES, RICHARD, SMITH, NICOLA, AILEEN
Application year: 1998
Main classification: A61B1
IPC codes: A61B1