Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 13th May, 1897--Accepted, 3rd July, 1897.
I, EDWARD JOSEPH BRADY, of 78 Manor Street, in the City and County of Dublin,
L. & L.M.R.C.P.I. do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to pelvimeters, that is to say surgical instruments intended
for measuring the female pelvis, and comprises the improvements hereinafter set
forth.
As hitherto constructed pelvimeters have been both complicated and inefficient,
but according to my invention, I provide an instrument of this kind or class which
is not only extremely simple in construction but also very easy to use, and which,
moreover, enables accurate results to be obtained.
In the accompanying drawing
Figure is a view showing my improved instrument, and
Figure 2 is a view showing the said instrument in position upon the fingers of
the operator as in the act of measuring.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts in both Figures.
, are two thimbles, stalls, or caps formed of steel or other suitable rigid
material, the one a being adapted to fit upon the index finger and the other
upon the middle finger of the operator, as shown in Figure 2. Each of these
thimbles, stalls, or caps is provided with a loop or eye a², and a steel or other wire,
or a cord b, or its equivalent, of any suitable material is attached to the loop a²
on the thimble, stall, or cap a which is adapted to fit upon the middle finger, and
passes through the loop a upon the thimble, stall, or cap a adapted to fit upon the
index finger of the operator, the free end of the said wire or cord b, or its equivalent,
passing to within reach of the other hand of the said operator.
To use the instrument, the fingers upon which the said thimbles, stalls, or caps
have been placed as shown in Figure 2 are inserted in an extended and parallel
position into the vagina of the female. When in a proper position therein the
fingers are separated, so as to assume approximately the position indicated in
Figure 2, until the bulb of the middle finger and nail of the index finger are felt
to come in contact with the sacral promontory and symphisis pubis in the antro
posterior diametre or any other diametre of the pelvic wall, the free end of the
wire or cord b, or its equivalent, being at the same time pulled tight and retained
in position by the other hand of the operator against the thumb or other con-
venient part of that hand carrying the thimbles, stalls, or caps until the
measurements are ascertained. The fingers are then returned to their normal or
first position and withdrawn, and the exact dimension of the pelvic opening can
be readily ascertained by again separating them to the extent allowed by the wire,
or cord b, or its equivalent, and measuring the extent of the said separation upon a
rule.
In order to ensure accurate results it is necessary to keep the measuring fingers
igid, and to prevent any flexing or bending of the middle finger, which it is most
lifficult to keep straight, the thimble, stall, or cap a' for the said middle finger is

page_text: preferably made, as shown, of sufficient length to cover the first and second joints
of that finger practically as the finger of a glove does. The thimble, stall, or
cap a for the index finger may be also so constructed if desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. An improved pelvimeter comprising two thimbles, stalls, or caps adapted to
fit upon the fingers of the operator, and a wire, or cord, or its equivalent, secured
to one of the said thimbles or caps and passing freely through a loop, eye, or the
like upon the other, substantially as set forth.
2. The improved pelvimeter constructed substantially as described and as
illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
A. F. SPOONER,
323 High Holborn, London, Agent for the Applicant.
Con mar sin narr
A. F. SPOONER,
323 High Holborn, London, Agent for the Applicant.