Abstract:
A vaginal speculum comprising a supporting base oriented generally vertically. A blade extends from the base and the angle between the blade and the base is adjustable. A locking system has an unlocked position allowing the blade to be angularly moved with respect to the base and a locked position retaining the blade at that desired angle. The vaginal speculum may also have two blades, a posterior blade having the angular adjustment and an anterior blade adjustably affixed to the base such that the space between the blades may be selectively adjusted by the physician. One or both of the blades may have a plastic sleeves slidably affixed thereto. Preferably, there is a plurality of sleeves of different lengths and/or widths that can be selected and attached to the blades depending on the particular patient. That selection can be made from a kit readily available to the physician.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a speculum for carrying out vaginal surgery, and, more particularly, to a vaginal speculum that has an angular adjustment of the blade angle as well as an adjustable blade length. 
         [0002]    The performance of any vaginal surgery, such as dilation and curettage, hysterectomy, colporrhaphy etc require the use of a vaginal speculum. At the present, the usual vaginal specula are weighted to be self-retaining and have a fixed blade at a fixed angle. 
         [0003]    There are two basic designs with different shapes, with some variation in length and shape of the fixed blade, however, no one speculum design fits all patients and the surgeon may ask for several different specula until one is found suitable for a specific patient, which may simply not always be possible. 
         [0004]    The process imposes a delay to the operation where the surgeon or staff are searching for the proper speculum and often results in choosing a speculum where the weight is often too large and rests against the operating table, causing the speculum to retract poorly and slip out of the patient and fall off the patient 
         [0005]    It would therefore be advantageous to have a vaginal speculum that was adjustable within certain parameters, that is, a vaginal speculum where the length of the blade could be selectively adjusted and where the angle of that blade was adjustable by the surgeon so that the same vaginal speculum could be used on a variety of patients. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    Accordingly, the present invention relates to a vaginal speculum that can be adjusted, both angularly as well as length-wise, in order to give the physician flexibility in operating on a patient quickly and without the need for a plurality of different specula on hand. 
         [0007]    With the present vaginal speculum, there is a base that is oriented generally vertically and which has a blade that extends outwardly therefrom in generally a horizontal orientation. A plurality of sleeves are available that, in one exemplary embodiment, have slots such that each of the sleeves can be attached to the blade by simply inserting the blade into a slot in a sleeve. In this manner, any one of the plurality of sleeves can be selected by the physician and affixed to the blade. 
         [0008]    Different sleeves are available having different lengths and widths such that the physician can physically examine the particular patient and then select and install the sleeve having the length and/or width that is best suited to that particular patient. 
         [0009]    As a further feature of the present invention, the blade is angularly adjustable with respect to the base such that the physician can set the blade to a specific desired angle extending from the base and lock the blade into that angular orientation. 
         [0010]    In a further embodiment, the vaginal speculum may have two blades, that is, there is a posterior blade and an anterior blade, both extending outwardly and generally aligned with and spaced apart from each other. In the exemplary embodiment, the anterior blade may be adjustable affixed by a sliding manner to the base to vary the space between the posterior and anterior blades and be completely detachable from the base. As such, the user can slide the anterior blade along the base to the desired location and lock the anterior blade to the base at that position, thereby establishing the desired spacing between the anterior and posterior blades. 
         [0011]    The anterior blade may be affixed to the base by means of a mechanical linkage that includes an intermediate section having a loop, such as a C-shape loop, to form an open interior area to allow an instrument to pass through that open area for use on the patient. The vaginal speculum can be used with only the posterior blade, or with both anterior and posterior blades as needed. The sleeves can be interchangeable so as to be slipped onto both the anterior and posterior blades and have different lengths and/or widths and can be comprised of a plastic that is readily disposable. 
         [0012]    These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent during the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a top view of the vaginal speculum of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a rear view of the long, vertical weighted base of the vaginal speculum of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the vaginal speculum of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a sleeve of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the sleeve of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a vaginal speculum incorporating the present invention and having a posterior blade and an anterior blade; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a rear view of the embodiment of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is an end view illustrating an alternate embodiment of a sleeve usable with the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIGS. 10A and 10B  are end views of a still further alternative embodiment illustrating a sleeve and blade, respectively, usable with the present invention; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is a schematic view of a kit containing a plurality of sleeves useable with a vaginal speculum of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0024]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is shown, a top view of the vaginal speculum  10  of the present invention and a rear view of the base  12  of the vaginal speculum  10 . As can be seen, the base  12  of the vaginal speculum  10  has a bottom surface  14  that is that is adapted to be positioned on a generally planar surface or hanging free. The base  12  is comprised of a base portion  16  and a generally rectangular upper portion  18 . The base portion  16  is preferably heavier at its bottom such that the base portion  16  can taper outwardly toward the bottom surface  14 , that is, the lateral cross section increases in the direction toward the bottom surface  14  of the base portion  16  such that the base portion  16  is weighted at the bottom for stability. 
         [0025]    In an exemplary embodiment, the base portion  16  may be triangular in shape or may be another geometrical configuration, such as square or rectangular in horizontal cross section and a groove  19  may be provided that extends through the upper portion  18  and the base portion  16  to allow for drainage of fluids. 
         [0026]    The base  12  is weighted so as to add stability to the vaginal speculum  10  and may be comprised of a metal, such as stainless steel, however, other materials are suitable for construction of the base  12 , including, but not limited to, a high density plastic. As can be seen, specifically in  FIG. 2 , the longitudinal axis I of the base  12  is generally vertical when the vaginal speculum  10  is being used in connection with a patient. 
         [0027]    Extending outwardly from the base  12  is a blade  20  that is rotatably affixed to the base  12 . By that rotational affixation, the blade  20  can be moved from a position where it extends outwardly at about a right angle from the longitudinal axis I of the base  10 , that is, the blade  20  can have a longitudinal axis II that is about 90 degrees from the longitudinal axis I of the base  12 . 
         [0028]    As can be seen, particularly in  FIG. 1 , the blade  20  is rotatable affixed to the base  12  such that the blade  20  can be rotated with respect to the base  12  to assume an angle from the base  12  that is desired by the physician using the vaginal speculum  10 . In particular, the mode of affixing the blade  20  to the base  12  can be through the use of a hinge  22  with the blade  20  having a hub  24  that is sandwiched between ears  26  formed on the base  12  such that the blade  20  can be rotatable with respect to the base  12 . 
         [0029]    A locking mechanism  28  can be present in order to control the movement of the blade  12 , that is, one locking mechanism that is illustrated in the exemplary embodiment is by means of a screw  30  that passes through the ears  26  and hub  24  with a threaded device, such as a wing nut  32  threadedly engaged to the free end of the screw  30 . 
         [0030]    As such the locking mechanism can have a locked position wherein the wing nut  32  is forcefully tightened along the screw  30  to pinch the hub  24  between the ears  26  to prevent the movement of the blade  20  and an unlocked position where the wing nut  32  is loosened so as to allow the blade  20  to rotate with respect to the base  12 . 
         [0031]    Accordingly, with the locking mechanism, the physician can move the locking mechanism to the unlocked position, freely move the blade  20  to the desired angular orientation based on the position and anatomy of the patient, and then lock the blade  20  in that position by moving the locking mechanism to its locked position. 
         [0032]    Turning then to  FIG. 3 , taken along with  FIG. 1 , there is a side view of the vaginal speculum  10  of the present invention and there can be seen a sleeve  34  that is affixed to the blade  20 . The sleeve  34  can be comprised of a plastic material and have a slot  36  that corresponds to the dimensions of the blade  20  such that the sleeve  34  can simply be affixed to the blade  20  by sliding the blade  20  into the slot  36 , thereby affixing the sleeve  34  to the blade  20 . 
         [0033]    Further in  FIG. 3 , there can be seen a locking mechanism wherein there is a sliding lock  38  positioned intermediate the base  12  and the blade  20  that, again can be a tightened by means of a screw  30  and wing nut  32 . In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 3 , there may be grooves acting as teeth to further prevent the movement of the blade  20  when the locking mechanism is in its locked position 
         [0034]    As can be seen, there are grooves serving as base teeth  40  and blade teeth  42  that mesh together when the blade  20  is located in the desired angular orientation such that any relative movement between the base  12  and the blade  20  is prevented in a positive manner. 
         [0035]    Turning then to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , there is a perspective view and a side view, respectively, of a sleeve  34  constructed in accordance with the present invention. As can be seen, the sleeve  34  is an elongated configuration having a proximal end  44  and a distal end  46 . The slot  36  can be seen that extends from the proximal end  44  into the sleeve  34  where it ends at a wall  48 . 
         [0036]    The length of the slot  34  is, of course, determined by the length of the blade  20  ( FIG. 1 ) and the internal dimensions of the slot  34  are predetermined so as to fit tightly over the blade  20  while still being removable therefrom In an exemplary embodiment, the overall width of the sleeve  34  is from about 2 cm to about 4 cm with the lengths from about 4 cm to about 15 cm in separate sizes, that is, 2 cm×4 cm, 3 cm×6 cm, to 5 cm to 15 cm in various sizes 
         [0037]    The lateral edges  50 ,  52  of the sleeve  34  are upwardly curved and the distal end  46  is also lightly curved upwardly to facilitate the use of the sleeve  34  in carrying out a procedure on the patient. 
         [0038]    Turning then to  FIG. 6 , taken along with  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is a side view of an alternative, exemplary embodiment of the vaginal speculum  54  constructed in accordance with the present invention. As can be seen, the vaginal speculum  54  has two blades, that is, there is a posterior blade  56  and an anterior blade  58 . Taking first, the posterior blade  56 , the mounting and function of the posterior blade  56  is basically the same as is shown and described in  FIG. 1  and the same identification numbers have been used as in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0039]    In brief, there is a base  12  of the vaginal speculum  54  having a bottom surface  14  positioned on a generally planar surface or hanging free and includes a base portion  16  and a generally rectangular upper portion  18 . 
         [0040]    Extending outwardly from the base  12  is the posterior blade  56  that is rotatable affixed to the base  12  in the manner described with respect to the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3 . Again, the angular orientation of the posterior blade  56  with respect to the base  12  is determined and controlled by use of a hinge  22  with the blade  56  having a hub  24  that is sandwiched between ears  26  formed on the base  12  such that the blade  56  can be rotatable with respect to the base  12 . 
         [0041]    A locking mechanism  28  controls the movement of the blade  12  and may be means of a screw  30  that passes through the ears  26  and hub  24  with a threaded device, such as a wing nut  32  threadedly engaged to the free end of the screw  30 . 
         [0042]    Accordingly, by the construction of the hinge  22  and locking mechanism, the physician can move the posterior blade  56  to a desired angular position with respect to the base  12  and simply lock the blade  56  in that position 
         [0043]    As to the anterior blade  58 , it too is affixed to the base  12  and, in the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 6 , there is a mechanical linkage  60  that affixes the anterior blade  58  to the base  12 . The mechanical linkage  60  will be further later explained , however, the mechanical linkage  60  is used to mount the anterior blade  58  to the base  12  and includes a lower flange section  62  that slides vertically along the base  12 . The lower flange section  62  has an elongated slot  64  formed therein and a screw  66  having a large head  68  can pass through the elongated slot  64  to be screwed into a threaded opening  70  in the base  12 . 
         [0044]    As such, the location of the lower flange section  62 , and thus the location of the anterior blade  58  can be adjusted with respect to the base  12  by loosening the screw  66 , vertically moving the lower flange section  62  to the desired location and then tightening the screw  66  in the threaded opening  70  to firmly press the screw head  68  against the lower flange section  62  to affix the lower flange section  62  at the desired location. As can be seen, by adjusting the location of the lower flange section  62  with respect to the base  12 , the space between the poosterior blade  56  and the anterior blade  58  can be adjusted according to the desire of the user. 
         [0045]    Turning to  FIG. 7 , taken along with  FIG. 6 , the mechanical linkage  60  can be seen more clearly and includes the lower flange section  62 , an upper arm  72  and an intermediate section  74 . The anterior blade  58  extends outwardly from the upper arm  72  and the main body  76  of the intermediate section  74  is designed to be displaced outwardly from the centerline CL of the lower flange section  62  As such there is an open area  78  that is created between the lower flange section  62  and the upper arm  72  that allows the physician to insert and manipulate an instrument on the patient without interference from the mechanical linkage  60 . 
         [0046]    In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 7 , it can be seen that the intermediate section  74  is a generally C-shaped curved configuration; however, the intermediate section  74  may be other shapes providing there remains the open area  78  to facilitate the introduction of a medical instrument as previously described. In addition, in the illustration of  FIG. 7 , the open area  78  is open to the right, as viewed in that Figure which accommodates a right handed physician, however, the open area  78  may also extend to the left to accommodate a left handed physician. 
         [0047]    A sleeve  80  is slipped over the distal end of the anterior blade  58  and the sleeve  80  is held to the anterior blade  58  by a friction fit to the anterior blade  58  in a manner similar to or the same as the sleeve  34  that is affixed to the posterior blade  56 . Both sleeves may the same material and construction and preferable both sleeves are constructed of a plastic material so as to be disposable after a single use. 
         [0048]    Again, with the anterior blade  58  and posterior blade  56 , the sleeves  34  and  80  can be selected from a plurality of sleeves having different lengths and/or widths so that the physician can select and use the appropriate sleeve for the particular patient. For efficiency, the sleeves  34  and  80  may be interchangeable. 
         [0049]    Turning then to  FIG. 8 , there is shown a top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 6  illustrating the sleeve  80  slipped onto the anterior blade  58 . As described, the sleeve  80  has a slot that is formed therein so the as the sleeve  80  is slipped onto the anterior blade  58  such that the anterior blade  58  enters the slot in a friction fit to allow the sleeve  80  to be affixed to the anterior blade  58 . 
         [0050]    In  FIG. 9 , there is shown an alternative sleeve  82  that is usable with the present invention. In particular, it can be seen that the sleeve  82  has a pair of downwardly directed edges  84  so as to form lateral slots  86  that are dimensioned so as to allow the sleeve  82  to be slid onto a blade by sandwiching the blade between the slots  86  to slidingly securing the sleeve  82  to a blade. With this embodiment, it can be seen that the blade does not need to have a slot formed therein. 
         [0051]    In addition, in  FIG. 10A and 10B , there is shown a still further alternative exemplary embodiment of the present invention wherein a sleeve  88  is slipped onto a blade  90 . In  FIG. 10B , the blade  90  has a projection  92  extending outwardly therefrom that interfits into a corresponding longitudinal slot  94  formed in the slot  89  of sleeve  88 . With this embodiment, the interfitting of the projection  92  of the blade  90  provides lateral stability to the affixation of the blade  90  to the sleeve  88 . While only one projection  92  is shown interfitting into one longitudinal slot  94 , it can be seen that there may be a plurality of projections of differing sizes and shapes that interfit onto a corresponding slot or slots in the sleeve. 
         [0052]    With the present vaginal speculum  10 , therefore, the physician can have a plurality of sleeves  34  ( FIG. 1 ) having different lengths and widths and select the one prior to the operation that best suits the anatomy of the patient after an on site examination of the patient. In particular, the sleeves may be provided in lengths of from 5 cm to about 15 cm in 1 cm increments. 
         [0053]    With a plurality of sleeves available to the physician, there can be a kit  96  shown in  FIG. 11  that is located near the physician so that the physician can select the most appropriate sleeve  98  having the desired length or width for each patient such that the vaginal speculum is adaptable to different patients without the need to delay an operation in order to locate a vaginal speculum of the correct length. 
         [0054]    As such, each kit  96  would contain different sleeves  98  of varying lengths and/or widths for selection by the physician after an initial examination of the patient and such kit  96  would be readily accessible to the physician so that the physician could select and attach the desired sleeve  98  to a blade depending on the particular patient. 
         [0055]    Also as a variant of the sleeves  98 , the proximal ends of the sleeves  98  may be open so as to receive a blade therein or may be closed such as where a affixation of the sleeves to a blade is in accordance with  FIG. 9  where there is no need for a slot in a sleeve. 
         [0056]    Those skilled in the art will readily recognize numerous adaptations and modifications which can be made to the vaginal speculum of the present invention which will result in an vaginal speculum and method of using the vaginal speculum, yet all of which will fall within the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined in the following claims Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only by the following claims and their equivalents.