Patent Publication Number: US-2013245664-A1

Title: Cervical dilator

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to an instrument used for cervical dilation and more particularly relates to an improved cervical dilator that streamlines the surgical procedure of dilating a uterine cervix thus benefiting the patient, physician and surgical team in the operating environment. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Prior art cervical dilators, such as Hanks dilators, have been used by obstetrician/gynecologists (OB/GYNs) for many years. Generally, a Hanks dilator set is comprised of a set of six metal rods, each having a specific graduated diameter on each end thereof. The use of Hanks dilators to dilate a uterine cervix requires twelve insertions and twelve points of potential damage and infection to the patient during the process. Generally, when a women presents to a OB/GYN with abnormal uterine bleeding, her doctor is required to investigate the source of such uterine bleeding, in order to accomplish this investigation, many of today&#39;s OB/GYN&#39;s use the prior art process of handling six separate instruments to make-twelve separate, step wise insertions through the cervix to gain access to the uterine cavity. These prior art instruments are used to increasingly spread open or dilate the uterine cervix in order to allow the OB/GYN to see into and investigate the source of the bleeding within the uterine cavity. The prior art Hanks dilators are also used to begin the process of a dilation and curettage (D&amp;C) that is performed for a woman who has suffered a miscarriage. 
     However, the use of these dilator sets presents several technological constraints to the physician using such instruments. The Hanks dilators are rigid instruments that inherently risk damage to the cervix, uterus, bowel bladder and major blood vessels by puncture or perforation. The use of the Hanks dilators also creates an excessive number of passes or insertions, in most cases twelve, to fully dilate the cervix, thus increasing the risk associated with infection or the creation of unintended false passages within the uterine fundus. Furthermore, the use of the Hanks dilators and the current one size fits all approach does not customize to the individual patient&#39;s cervical length. The use of the prior art dilators creates a multi step process that allows for potential contamination of the sterile dilators and other equipment used during the procedures on the uterus. Additionally, a twelve step process may introduce potential human error via incorrect packaging of instruments, possible out of sequence handling or insertion by the doctor or by assistants or nurses assisting during the procedure. There are many potential sites of perforation within the female pelvic anatomy. Some of these include the uterine fundus, the uterine cervix, the bladder, the rectum, and major blood vessels of the female pelvic anatomy. With each insertion of the prior art dilators the risk of such potential perforations increases, thus increasing the risk to the patient having the procedure performed thereon. 
     Another risk associated with using prior art metal dilators is that human error may occur in the packaging of and the sterilization of the instruments offered to the physician during the procedure. With each of the dilators increasing by a small percentage in diameter, the possibility of receiving a dilator in an improper order occurs. Rigid metal dilators have been used throughout history for performing cervical dilations, and few other technologies have been able to gain a foothold into such cervical dilation procedures by OB/GYN&#39;s. 
     Therefore, there is a need in the art for an improved cervical dilator that may be custom, fitted using flexible materials for each patient&#39;s cervix length. There also is a need in the art for an improved cervical dilator that uses warm saline infusion and balloon technology to dilate the cervix through the insertion of one instrument, thus creating only one insertion into the woman&#39;s cervical cavity. Furthermore, there is a need in the art for a cervical dilator that has graduated and ratcheted inflation by one instrument to create the same graduated dilation that was done by six instruments via twelve insertions of the prior art. There also is a need in the art for a cervical dilator that has the ability to measure the uterine length, thus avoiding a thirteenth insertion into the dilated uterus. Furthermore, there is a need in the art for a disposable cervical dilator that may eliminate confusion and human error along with sterilization concerns of the dilation mechanism. Hence, there also is a need in the art to develop a safer, more cost-effective cervical dilator instrument while also streamlining the surgical procedure of dilating the uterine cervix, thus benefiting the patient, physician and the entire surgical team during such procedures. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One object of the present invention may be to provide an improved cervical dilator. 
     Another object of the present invention may be to provide a cervical dilator that is custom fitted for each individual patient using flexible materials. 
     Still another object of the present invention may be to provide a cervical dilator that uses balloon technology along with a warm saline infusion to dilate the cervix. 
     Still another object of the present invention may be to provide an improved cervical dilator that has graduated and ratcheted inflation via one instrument inserted in the cervix as opposed to the prior art six instruments that were inserted twelve times to dilate the cervix to allow for proper viewing and surgery therein by the physician. 
     Still another object of the present invention may be to provide a cervical dilator that has the ability to measure the uterine length without inserting another instrument into the dilated uterus. 
     Yet another object of the present invention may be to provide a disposable cervix dilator that eliminates confusion and human error during cervical dilation. 
     Still another object of the present invention may be to provide a cervical dilator that decreases the risk of cervical damage and future cervical incompetence along with decreasing the risk of uterine perforation. 
     Still another object of the present invention may be to provide a cervical dilator that decreases the risk of damage to surrounding organs while also decreasing the risk of false track formation during the procedure. 
     Yet another object of the present invention may be to provide a cervical dilator that decreases the risk of vascular damage, bleeding and infection by making the cervical dilation a quicker procedure than that of the prior art. 
     Still another object of the present invention may be to provide a cervical dilator that creates a less complicated and time consuming procedure for the physician. 
     Still another object of the present invention may be to provide a cervical dilator that generally eliminates the risk of improperly packaged instruments and of improper sequencing and insertion of instruments into the cervix. 
     Still another object of the present invention may be to provide a cervical dilator that decreases the risk of contamination of the patient by the cervical dilation instruments. 
     According to the present invention, the foregoing and other objects and advantages are obtained by a novel design for a cervical dilator. The cervical dilator generally comprises a tube having a light weight hand grip arranged cm one end thereof. The cervical dilator also includes a syringe that has ratcheting arranged on an inner surface thereof, connected to the tube of the cervical dilator for introducing a warm saline solution into the tubular member. The cervical dilator also includes on one end of the tube a balloon. The balloon is arranged over the end of the tube that is inserted into the cervix of the patient. The balloon is inserted into die cervix in an uninflated state. Upon insertion into the cervix, the balloon may be inflated via the warm saline solution or any other type of inflation mechanism, such as air, or other liquids or gasses, thus dilating the cervix to the appropriate width as deemed necessary by the physician. The cervical dilator also includes a ring or collar arranged over the surface of the tube and the uninflated balloon before insertion into the cervix of the patient. The ring or collar is movable with relation to the end of the tube, thus creating an adjustable dilator depending on the measurement of the cervical canal by the physician during the procedure. It should be noted that all of the components of the cervical dilator are generally made of a sterilized plastic material that is hypoallergenic, thus decreasing the risk of reactions to the instrument by the patient. It should be noted that the tubular member of the cervical dilator is flexible thus allowing for a variety of different shaped cervices and uteri. 
     One advantage of the present invention may be that it provides for an improved cervical dilator. 
     A further advantage of the present invention may be that it provides for an improved cervical dilator that is made of sterilized plastic or metal components that creates a one time use instrument, thus ensuring sterilization of the cervical dilator. 
     Still a further advantage of the present invention may be that it provides for a cervical dilator that has custom fitting via the use of flexible materials. 
     Still a further advantage of the present invention may be that it provides for a cervical dilator that uses balloon technology and a warm saline infusion to dilate the cervix of the patient. 
     Still another advantage of the present invention may be that it provides for a cervical dilator that has graduated and ratcheted inflation capabilities, thus allowing only one instrument as opposed to the prior art six to dilate the cervix and uterus to the proper diameter. This also creates only one insertion by the physician as opposed to twelve via the prior art dilation methodology. 
     Still another advantage of the present invention may be that it provides for a cervical dilator that has the ability to measure the uterine length, thus avoiding a thirteenth insertion such as that done in prior art to determine such length. 
     Yet another advantage of the present invention may be that it provides for a cervical dilator that has a disposable feature, thus eliminating confusion and human error by the operators. 
     Still another advantage of the present invention may be that it provides for a cervical dilator that decreases the risk of cervical damage and future cervical incompetence while also decreasing the risk of uterine perforation 
     Still another advantage of the present invention may be that it provides for a cervical dilator that decreases the risk of damage to surrounding organs and false track formation. 
     Still another advantage of the present invention may be that it provides for a cervical dilator that decreases the risk of vascular damage, bleeding and infection by reducing the amount of time for the procedure, thus making a quicker procedure. 
     Still another advantage of the present Invention may he that it provides far a cervical dilator that creates a less complicated procedure and time consuming procedure for the physician, thus reducing the risk of any damage to the patient. 
     Still another advantage of the present invention may be that it provides for a cervical dilator that eliminates the risk of improperly packaged instruments and improper sequencing of instruments being placed into the cervix of the patient. 
     Still another advantage of the present invention may be that it provides for a cervical dilator that decreases the risk of contamination to the patient. 
     Yet a further advantage of the present invention may be that it provides for an improved cervical dilator that is a more cost effective instrument which streamlines the surgical procedure of dilating the uterine cervix, thus benefiting the patient, physician, and the entire surgical team. 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention may become apparent, from the subsequent description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings/ 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         FIG. 1  shows a cross sectional view of the female pelvic anatomy with a prior art cervical dilator inserted into the cervix. 
         FIG. 2  shows a side view of a set of prior art Hank dilators. 
         FIG. 3  shows a side view of an embodiment of a cervical dilator according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  shows a cross sectional view of an embodiment of a cervical dilator according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  shows a close up of a fully assembled lip of art embodiment of a cervical dilator 
       according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  shows a plan view of an alternate embodiment of a cervical dilator according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to the drawings, there is shown a cervical dilator  10  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The drawings also show an associated methodology for use in dilating a cervix of a patient with the cervical dilator  10  of the present invention.  FIG. 1  shows a cross section of a female pelvic anatomy having a prior art Hanks dilator  12  inserted into the cervix  14 . Generally, the female pelvic anatomy includes the labia  16 , which flanks the outside portion of a female vagina  18 . The female vagina  18  is located directly adjacent to the labia  16  in the female pelvic anatomy. A female&#39;s rectum  20  and bladder  22  are arranged directly adjacent to the vagina  18  of the female. The bladder  22 , urethra  24  and clitoris  26  are all arranged above the vagina  18  in a female, while the rectum  20  is arranged below the vagina  18  in the female pelvic anatomy. Arranged a variable distance within the vagina  18  is the cervix  14  and uterus  28 . The uterus&#39; front portion is commonly called the cervix  14 , while the rear portion of the uterus is commonly called the uterine fundus  28 . Arranged along a mid point thereof is the endometrial canal  30  into which an egg that has been fertilized by the sperm of a male is implanted during a pregnancy of the female. The endometrial canal  30  has a variable length and generally has a slightly curved shaped when viewed from a side as shown in  FIG. 1 . Directly connected to the uterus  28  and extending from each side thereof, are fallopian tubes  32  that are directly approximated to an ovary  34 . The ovary  34  holds the eggs of the female, which are passed through the fallopian tubes  32  to the uterus  28  on a monthly cycle. 
     Generally, cervical dilation is performed when a female presents to her physician with abnormal uterine bleeding. The physician generally is required to investigate the source of such bleeding and in order to accomplish this most physicians currently use Hanks dilators  12  to complete the dilation of the cervix  14  to investigate the cause of the uterine bleeding. This process of cervical dilation with the use of the Hanks dilators  12  requires the physician to handle six separate instruments having different size diameters on each end thereof in a predetermined twelve separate, step wise insertion of the end diameters in an increasingly larger pattern through the cervix  14  in order to gain access to the uterine cavity  30  in order to allow for determination of the abnormal uterine bleeding. The abnormal uterine bleeding may have many different etiologies including miscarriage, and a dilation and curettage (D&amp;C) or a uterine scraping must he performed by the physician. In such cases the physician may have to perform cervical dilation in order to accomplish the procedures thereon. The prior art methodology of performing the cervical dilation hence requires twelve insertions and twelve points of potential damage and infection to the patient in order to investigate the cause of abnormal bleeding from the uterus  28 . Thus, the current procedure using the Hanks dilators  12 , all six of them, requires twelve separate insertions and points of potential damage  15  to the cervix, uterus, bowel and bladder, major blood vessels increasing the risk of bleeding. Furthermore, the excessive number of passages, in this case twelve, increases the risk associated with infection and the creation of unintended false passages within the uterine fundus  28  or uterine cervix  14 . Thus, this prior art one size fits all approach does not customize itself to the individual patients cervical length and the multi step process also allows for potential contamination of the sterile equipment during the procedure and misuse of the equipment by the physician by using the Hanks dilators  12  in the wrong step manner. The twelve step process currently used to perform a cervical dilation introduces potential human error via the incorrect packaging of the instruments, and possible out of sequence insertions by the physician. 
     The improved cervical dilator  10  of the present invention overcomes these drawbacks of the prior art methodology and instruments in performing a cervical dilation. As shown in the figures the cervical dilator  10  of the present invention includes a tube member  36  generally made of a plastic material that is flexible, sterile and hypoallergenic. It should be noted that the tube  36  may be made of any known material that is capable of being sterilized and hypoallergenic, thus not causing any adverse reactions to a patient having cervical dilation performed thereon. It is also contemplated to use any other type of metal, ceramic, composite or natural material to form the tube  36  of the cervical dilator  10  according to the present invention. Arranged on one end of the tube  36  may be a hand grip  38  that may allow for the physician to insert the cervical dilator  10  in a comfortable and easy manner into the cervix  14  of the uterus  28  of the patient. In one contemplated embodiment the hand grip  38  may be a textured light weight hand grip  38  made of a plastic or other material, however any other type of material may be used for the hand grip  38 . The hand grip  38  may include texture as described above, or non texturing depending on the physician and the use therein. The tube  36  may have any known length and diameter. A generally cylindrical shaped port  40  extends from a surface of the tube member  36  of the cervical dilator  10 . This port  40  may have, a predetermined diameter and length and may allow for the insertion of a syringe  42  into an end of the port  40 . The inner diameter of the port  40  may generally match and be the same as the outer diameter of the syringe  42  nozzle that is arranged therein in order to create an airtight seal between the syringe  42  and the interior of the tube  36  of the cervical dilator  10 . It is also contemplated to maybe have a nipple or valve member arranged within the port  40  that may or may not be spring activated that may allow for insertion of a gas or liquid into the tube  36  of the cervical dilator  10  only upon compression of the valve within the port  40  of the cervical dilator  10 . Thus, upon removing the syringe  42  from the port  40  of the cervical dilator  10 , a spring may expand and thus close the port  40 , via the valve, to outside air creating an airtight cervical dilator  10 . It should be noted that the port  40  is generally made of the same material as the tube member  36  of the cervical dilator  10 . The end of the tube member opposite of the hand grip  38  may generally have a rounded end  44  with a predetermined diameter and orifice in the end thereof. In one contemplated embodiment the end  44  of the tube member  36  of the cervical dilator  10  may have a diameter of approximately two millimeters. However, it should be noted that the diameter of the end  44  of the cervical dilator  10  may be anywhere from one millimeter to ten millimeters, depending on the procedure with which the physician will use the dilator  10 . It should be noted the end  44  of the tube  36  may not have an orifice therethrough. It should be noted that the material the tube member  36  is made of is generally a flexible material that may allow for the cervical dilator  10  to be inserted into any shaped or sized endometrial canals  30 . 
     The cervical dilator  10  of the present invention also includes a syringe  42  which is generally arranged in the port  40  of the tube member  36  of the cervical dilator  10 . In one contemplated embodiment the syringe  42  may have ratcheting notches  46  arranged on an inner surface thereof. These notches  46  may ratchet the syringe  42  in predetermined intervals, thus controlling the flow of liquid or gas being pumped through the syringe  42  into the tube  36  of the cervical dilator  10 . In one contemplated embodiment the syringe  42  may contain a warm saline solution, which may be injected into the flexible tubular member  36  of the cervical dilator  10 . It should be noted that any other liquid or gas may be used to dilate the cervix  14  of the patient with the present application. It is contemplated to use a warm saline solution to make the comfort of the patient as high as possible. It should further be noted that any type of gas, such as air, may also be used to inflate the balloon  48  which is arranged at the end  44  of the flexible tube member  36  of the cervical dilator  10 . It should be noted that any type syringe  42  along with any sire syringe  42  may be used, ft is contemplated to use a plastic syringe, but any known metal, composite, or natural material syringe may also be used. 
     The cervical dilator  10  also includes a balloon  48  arranged over a predetermined length of the end of the flexible tube member  36  of the cervical dilator  10 . It should be noted that generally the flexible tube member  36  has a bore or cavity  60  arranged along the entire inner portion or center line thereof, hence the warm saline solution which is introduced into the flexible tube member  36  may be able to be released from the tube member  36  into the balloon  48  in a predetermined manner depending on the ratcheting system of the syringe  42 . The balloon  48  is generally arranged uninflated over the end  44  of the flexible tabular member  36 . This uninflated balloon  48  may be inserted into the cervix  14  and the endometrial canal  30  a predetermined distance as measured by the physician via markings arranged on the outer surface of the flexible tubular member  36 . This may allow for the physician to know the length of the cervical canal and endometrial canal  30  and how for the balloon  48  should be inserted into the endometrial canal  30  in order to allow for full dilation of the cervix  14 . The balloon  48  may be secured on both ends thereof to allow for an air tight balloon  48  to be inflated via either injected air or liquid by the syringe  42 . In one contemplated embodiment the balloon  48  is made of any known surgical plastic that is hypoallergenic and sterile to a patient&#39;s body. Such surgical balloons are well known in the art and have been used in surgical ports used in laparoscopic surgery and the like. It should be noted that in one contemplated embodiment a predetermined length of the end of the flexible tubular member  36  may have a plurality of orifices  50  arranged therein to allow for passage of the saline solution into the balloon member  48  in a uniform manner. However, it is also contemplated to have the saline solution or air exit from the just the very end of the flexible tubular member  36  to inflate the balloon  48  in a predetermined manner. The cervical dilator  10  also may include a ring or collar  52  arranged over the end of the flexible tubular member  36  a predetermined distance from the end  44  of the tubular member  36 . This ring or collar  52  generally may be made of a plastic material. However, it should be noted that any other rubber, ceramic, composite, metal or natural material may also be used for both the balloon  48  and the ring  52 . The ring  52  may be placed over one end of the uninflated balloon  48  to ensure correct placement of the balloon  48  during the dilation procedure of the cervix  14 . The ring  52  generally may have an inner diameter that is equal to or slightly less than the outer diameter of the end of the flexible tubular member  36  of the cervical dilator  10 . This may ensure an air tight seal for one end of the uninflated balloon  48  upon insertion into the cervical cavity  14  by the physician. Generally during the procedure, the ring  52  may be placed up against the outer portion of the cervix  14  of the uterus  28  before inflation of the balloon sleeve  48  via the saline solution. It should be noted that the inflated approximate range for the balloon diameter, with either air or saline solution, generally is five millimeters to twenty millimeters allowing for the physician to be able to see directly into the endometrial canal  30  and the uterus  28  of the patient. The balloon  48 , as discussed above, may be inflated by the physician by pressing the plunger of the syringe  42  into the barrel of the syringe  42  via the ratcheting and/or markings  46  of the syringe  42  at a predetermined manner to inflate the balloon  48  to one of its adjustable widths, i.e., between five millimeters and twenty millimeters depending upon the patient who is having the cervical dilation. The other or outer end of the balloon  48  may be sealed by either a tip or sleeve  54  which is arranged within an end of the flexible tubular member  36  or by the end of the balloon  48  itself. This may allow for the physician via one insertion of the flexible tube  36  of the cervical dilator  10  of the present invention to completely dilate and measure the cervix  14  and uterus  28  with one instrument and one insertion instead of the twelve insertions and thirteenth insertion for measurement as done in the prior art. The physician would then remove the air or liquid by pulling the plunger of the syringe  42  up with relation to the barrel thus retracting the liquid or air back into the syringe  42  and deflating the balloon  48  enough to allow for removal of the cervical dilator  10  from the cervix  14  of the patient and allowing for the physician to insert an instrument within the uterus  28  for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes as per usual procedure. 
     It is also contemplated to have an embodiment of the end of the cervical dilator  10  and specifically the flexible tubular member end  44  that may include a reduced diameter extension  56  extending from the end  44  of the flexible tubular member  36 . A sleeve  58  may then be arranged over the extension  56  with the balloon  48  arranged over both ends of the sleeve  58  thus allowing for the collapsed and uninflated balloon  48  to be secured with an air light seal between the end  44  of the flexible tubular member  36  of the cervical dilator  10  and an end of the sleeve  58 . Any known mechanical securing techniques may be used to secure the sleeve  58  over the extension  56  extending from the end  44  of the flexible tubular member  36 . A lip and notch system arranged on either of the extension  56  or the sleeve  58  may create such a connection that may seal one end of the balloon  48  with relation to the flexible tubular member  56 . 
     On the opposite end of the sleeve  58  may be inserted a tip  54  that may also create an air tight seal and hold the uninflated or collapsed balloon  48  with relation to the end of the flexible tubular member  36 . Any known mechanical connection may secure the tip  54  to the sleeve  58  on one end thereof. It should also be noted that the extension  56  extending from the end of the tubular member  36  may be integrated or formed or injection molded as a piece of the tube  36  or may be added as a separate piece after creation of the lobular member  36  of the cervical dilator  10 . Hence, any known mechanical connection may secure the sleeve  58  to the flexible tubular  36  member and the tip  54  to the other end of the sleeve  58 , thus securing the balloon  48  therebetween. It should be noted that any type of orifice as described above may be arranged within the extension  56  of the tubular member  36  of the cervical dilator  10  to allow for introduction of a warm saline solution or gas therein by the physician to inflate the balloon  48  to a predetermined diameter to create full cervical dilation. It should be noted that generally all of the parts described above are made of a sturdy plastic material, however any other ceramic, composite, metal, rubber or natural material may also be used for any of these parts described above. It also should be noted that any known mechanical securing technology may be used to secure the sleeve  58  to the tubular member  36  and the tip  54  to the sleeve  58  other than those described above. 
       FIG. 6  shows an embodiment of the cervical dilator of the present invention that includes a syringe  42  having a plunger  43  therein, like the syringes  42  described above. It should be noted that in one contemplated embodiment the syringe  42  may have a possible volume of between two and twenty cubic centimeters. The syringe  42  may be used to introduce a substance, such as a liquid or air into a flexible tube member  36  and then into a balloon  48  arranged on an end thereof. The alternate embodiment flexible tube member  36  has a first end and a second end. The first end of the flexible tube member  36  may have a port  37  like tapered end on the first end thereof. The tapered end  37  generally may taper in an outward direction, such that it increases the diameter of the first end of the flexible tube member  36  at a predetermined rate. This port  37  on the first end of the flexible tube member  36  may be used for receiving the nipple or tip end of the syringe  42  therein. It should be noted that any known securing technique between the syringe  42  and the first end  37  of the flexible tube  36  may be used, such as but not limited to a locking/snap feature, a press fit connection, a threaded connection, etc. It should be noted that generally the flexible tube  36  may be the same as those described above and have a predetermined length. In one contemplated embodiment the length may be anywhere between fifteen centimeters and forty centimeters depending on the application. In one specific embodiment, it may have the length of approximately twenty centimeters with a forty millimeter portion arranged at the second end. The second end of the flexible tube member  36  may be sealed from the outside environment, either via a plug, an insert, an end cap or by a manufacturing technique that creates a solid wall, etc., at the second end of the flexible tube member  36 . The flexible tube member  36  may be the same as that described above, i.e., made of a generally plastic material that is hypoallergenic and capable of being used in a surgery environment. As shown in  FIG. 7  a balloon  48  may be arranged and secured over or near the second end of the flexible tube member  36 . The balloon  48  may have any predetermined length and may be capable of expanding to any predetermined diameter. In one contemplated embodiment the balloon  48  may have any length of between twenty and sixty millimeters and a diameter between two and twenty millimeters. In one specific embodiment, the balloon  48  may have an approximate length of forty millimeters and may be capable of expanding to a fully expanded diameter of approximately fifteen millimeters. As described above, the balloon  48  may be secured on each end thereof to the outer surface of the flexible tube member  38  over or near the second end, i.e., a predetermined distance from the second end of the tube  36 . The balloon  48  may be secured via any known mechanical or chemical securing methodology, such as but not limited to rubber bands, a pin and groove, a chemical fastening technique, such as glue, or welding, etc. Any known technique may be used to secure the balloon  48  on each end thereof to the outer surface of the flexible tube member  36 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7  at least one orifice  50  is arranged through the surface of the flexible tube member  36  such that the orifice  50  is arranged within the inner cavity of the balloon  48  arranged thereover. in the embodiment shown a first and second orifice  50  may be arranged in the tube member  36  within the balloon  48 . The first and second orifices  50  are arranged a predetermined distance from the second end and from each other through the surface of the flexible tube member  36 . Hence, as described above and hereafter, after a liquid, such as a warm saline solution, is introduced via the syringe  42  into the tube  36  the warm saline solution may pass through the orifices  50  arranged near the second sealed end of the flexible tube member  36  and Inflate the balloon  48  to a predetermined diameter, thus dilating the cervix of the woman to allow for the physician to see through into the uterus and discover the source of any potential problems therein. When the physician has completed the dilation as described above, the physician may pull back on the plunger  43  thus removing the liquid from inside the balloon  48 , via the orifices  50  in the flexible tube member  36 , back into the syringe  42  thus deflating the balloon  48  and allowing for the physician to remove the cervical dilator  10  and insert any other instrument needed to perform the procedures on the uterus therein. It should be noted that in one contemplated embodiment the flexible tube  36  may have a diameter of approximately two millimeters, however any other diameter ranging from one half millimeter up to twenty millimeters may also be used. 
     Therefore, during the process of using the improved cervical dilator  10  of the present invention the physician may introduce the flexible tubular member  36  having an uninflated balloon  48  secured over the end thereof into the endometrial canal  30  of the patient via the cervix  14 . The physician may measure the length of the uterus  28  via markings arranged on an outer surface of rise tubular member  36  of the cervical dilator  10  and may position an adjustable ring  52  to help secure the balloon  48  on one end in one contemplated embodiment thereof. In another contemplated embodiment thereof the physician may insert a multi piece end and balloon and will not have to use a ring or collar to secure the end of the balloon  48  to ensure an air tight seal for the balloon  48 . The physician may be able to measure the length of the uterus via demarcations or markings on the outer surface of the flexible tubular member  36 . Once the balloon  48  of the flexible tubular member  36  is inserted into the endometrial canal  30  of the patient, the physician via the syringe  42  or any other member capable of passing air or any liquid into the flexible tubular member  36  of the cervical dilator  10 , depresses the plunger of the syringe  42  thus inserting in one contemplated embodiment a warm saline solution into the balloon  48  and inflating the balloon  48  at predetermined increments and at predetermined times to dilate the cervix  14  to the appropriate size in order for the physician to look through the cervical canal  14  to either perform a procedure or identify the source of bleeding from the uterus  28 . Upon complete dilation of the cervix  14  to the diameter sufficient for the examination to occur, the physician may pull back on the plunger of the syringe  42  thus removing the air or liquid from inside the balloon  48  back into the syringe  48  thus allowing for removal of the cervical dilator  10  and insertion of other instruments to perform the procedure or examination of the now visible uterus  28 . It should he noted that the use of the single insertion and balloon  48  to dilate the cervix  14  may reduce the risk of perforations, contaminations and also reduce the time of the procedure for the patient thus making the patient more comfortable and lessen the risk of damage to all surrounding organs and vessels of the patient. It should be noted that the balloon diameter may be capable of expanding anywhere from one to twenty millimeters depending on the patient and the procedure being performed. 
     The present invention has been described in an illustrative manner. It is to be understood that the terminology, which has been used, is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than that of limitation. 
     Marry modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.