improvements in Rectar Specula for Treatment of Hemorrhoids.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application; 11th Jan:; 1887:
Specification Accepted, 22nd Feb., 1887.
improvements in Rectar Specula for Treatment of Hemorrhoids.
I, RACHEL S. PACKSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Emporia, in the
County of Lyon, and State of Kansas, U.S.A., Physician, do, hereby declare the
nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be perfornied, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
In the accompanying drawings-
Figure 1 is a view of the instrument with the slides in place.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal section.
Figure 3 is a view of the instrument with the end swung out and the slidės
withdrawn.
Figure 4 is a view of one of the slides detached.
My invention consists in improvements upon specula, of the class in which the
inner ends are closed and a slide is employed to be drawn out more or less to uncover
the diseased part on the side of the instrument to be treated.
My improvements, stated in general terms, consist-
a
1. In providing a skeleton frame for a speculum, composed of rings and ribs, and
in providing any desired number of longitudinal slides fitted to this frame in such
manner as to form a practically continuous exterior tubular surface when the slides
are in place in the instrument, and a suitable support or distender when the slides are
withdrawn.
2. In providing a separate end part applied at an incline with reference to the axis
of the speculum, as illustrated in the drawings, so as to ordinarily close the inner end
of the instrument, but hinged to the inner end, as shown, so that the inner end may
be opened at will."
Referring to the letters upon the drawings, in aid of a description in detail of my
improved speculum, A indicates a skeleton frame, provided, as shown, with ribs B,
and rings or supports C: but these inay be varied in form and number at pleasure;
as also the instrument may of course be varied in size at pleasure. It is preferably
slightly tapered in the usual manner.
The slides are held to the frame in ways of any ordinary or desired construction,
such for example as shown, or any other that are suitable.

page_text: It will be desirable generally to make the ribs and rings as small and light as
practicable, so that they will form in some sense a sort of cage or net work to sustain
the parts in place and in view, even when the slides are drawn out altogether. For
example, some of the rings or supports may be made heavier than others, and between
them may be a fine coil or series of small rings, or reticulated fabric, or any other
ordinary appliance to hold the parts distended, and sufficiently exposed to view for
practical treatment-in fact, any form of skeleton or open frame, formed of ribs and
rings, adapted to receive slides and to hold the parts distended and in view when the
slides are withdrawn, may be employed.
D indicates a flange or rim of ordinary character and having the usual function in
this class of specula.
E indicates a handle for applying and adjusting the instrument.
F indicates the end part hinged to the main body of the instrument, as shown.
G indicates a reflector, which may be attached to or made pari. of the hinged
end part.
H indicates a lug or projection through which the pivot. I passes to form the hinge.
Connected with this lug or projection is a slide K, provided with a handle L, and
working in suitable ways in the skeleton frame. By pushing it inward the hinged
end portion is swung or opened more or less, as indicated in Fig. 3, and by drawing
it out it is closed, as shown in Fig. 2. The advantages of this swinging end
portion are―
1. That it enables the reflector to be adjusted at any desired angle, so as to throw
the light with more intensity upon any desired portion of the instrument.
2. When thrown back it enables the physician to see and treat a diseased portion
beyond what can be reached by the openings in the side of the instrument. At the
same time it has the advantages practically of instruments with closed ends in pre-
venting the ingress of feces into the instrument.
Each slide is provided in the usual manner with projecting handles M for drawing
them out, or adjusting them to place as desired.
I do not confine my invention to the particular form of embodiment I have here
illustrated, because without departing from its essential principles, which are the
provision of the skeleton frame, and of the hinged end part, it can be used with
material advantage over any other speculum not provided with these features. Nor
do I confine the use of my speculum to rectal purposes, as the essential features of my
invention might readily be embodied in specula for some other uses.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is-
1. A skeleton frame for a speculum, consisting of ribs, and supports or rings,
combined with two or more slides, substantially as set forth.
2. In combination with a speculum, a hinged end part, provided with a reflector,
and means for operating the hinged part, substantially as set forth.