Improvements in Instruments for use in Examining Cavities of the Body.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Mar., 1892-Accepted, 25th June, 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Instruments for use in Examining Cavities of the
Body.
We, JOHN WESLEY DAILY, Inventor, of Salina, in the County of Westmore-
land and State of Kansas, JOSEPH JAMES CRIPPEN, Gentleman, of Denver, in the
County of Arapahoe and State of Colorado, MARION J. WELLSLAGER, Gentleman,
of Salina, in the County of Westmoreland, and State of Kansas, and FREEDOM
KIRTLAND GROVES, Gentleman, of La Crosse, in the County of Rush and State of
Kansas, all in the United States of America, 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:-
Our invention relates to improvements in endoscopic instruments or those
designed for use in examining or viewing the cavities of the body. The object of
the improvement is the better illumination of these cavities during examinations or
operations. This object we accomplish by attaching to the instrument a small
incandescent electric lamp, and the improvement consists in the peculiar manner of
making this attachment whereby the lamp is entirely concealed or buried within the
jaw of the instrument, the light passing therefrom through an opening covered by a
transparent plate.
The invention will be fully understood by reference to the accompanying drawing
in which is illustrated the embodiment thereof. In the drawing,
Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 show a rectal speculum provided with our improvement,
while in
Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 is illustrated the manner of applying the improve-
ment to a vaginal speculum.
Of these views Fig. 5 is a cross-section taken on the linea, Fig. 4, while
Figs. 9, 11 and 12 are sections taken on the lines a a, Fig. 7, x, and X X, Figs. 8
and 9 respectively.
20
As illustrated in the drawing the improvement is shown as applied to speculums
which are considered the best type of instruments with which the improvement
would be useful. It must be understood, however, that we do not wish to limit
ourselves to the use of the invention with speculums as it may with equal advantage
be applied to all instruments of a similar class, as those for examining the throat,
ear, nostrils, etc.
In the construction of the instruments with this improvement one jaw thereof
being made sufficiently thick, a recess is formed therein opening on the inside of the
jaw. The bottom of this recess is then lined with a thin layer of asbestos wool or
other suitable non-conductor of heat, to prevent the possibility of unduly heating
the surrounding parts.
A small electric lamp is placed within the recess resting upon the asbestos wool
which forms a cushion therefor. A transparent plate composed of suitable material,
preferably mica, is then placed above the lamp covering the recess and resting upon
the surrounding metal.
A metal plate provided with a suitable aperture is then placed above the trans-
parent plate and secured to the jaw of the instrument in any suitable manner,
preferably by the use of screws so as to be readily removable, when for instance it
is desired to remove a burnt-out lamp and substitute a new one. The covering for
the lamp recess should be sufficiently tight to allow the cleaning of the instrument
without permitting the entrance of liquids to this recess.
Hence the removable
metal plate and the transparent plate may be sealed together before being placed
in position on the instrument. The removable plate being preferably of considerable

page_text: extent it is then quite easy to secure the plate in such a manner as to prevent the
entrance of liquids to the lamp while cleaning the instrument.
In Figs.
to 5 inclusive we have shown the improvement in connection with a
speculum provided with overlapping jaws on one side, said construction being
protected by Letters Patent of the United States, No. 458,708 issued to John
W. Daily and bearing date September 1, 1891. 'In Fig. 1 the overlapping part 2
of this instrument is,made,removable, and is secured by means of screws. Hence in
the construction of this instrument with our present improvement we form the
recess 3 within the lower thickened part 4 of one of the jaws. Within this recess
we place the asbestos cushion 5, above this cushion the lamp 6, above the lamp the
transparent plate 7 and then the removable metal plate 2. In Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5
the overlapping part 2 is formed integral with the jaw and a small plate 2b having
a suitable aperture is connected to part 2 and forms in combination with the
transparent plate a sealed covering for the lamp recess. Plate 2b is preferably
sealed to part 2 by the use of jewelers' cement, so that it may be unsealed by the use
of hot water when it is necessary to replace a lamp.
From the lamp recess 'lead grooves 9 in which are located the leading-in wires 10
and 12 for the lamp.
In the vaginal speculum shown in Figs. 6 to 12 inclusive, one jaw 13 is provided
with an enlargement 14 increasing the thickness of the metal sufficiently to permit
the forming in this jaw of a recess 3* for the lamp 6. The removable plate 2* in this
case, preferably covers the entire inner face of the jaw. From the lamp recess lead
the grooves for the leading-in wires which are located beneath the removable
plate 2, passing out through suitable openings in said jaw and along the outside of
the handles 15 to the binding posts 18 and 19 respectively.
The incandescent lamp employed should of course be as small as consistent with
furnishing sufficient light for the purpose. Lamps having a capacity of from
one-half to one candle power are found amply sufficient for the purpose. An
ordinary battery of two or four cells will furnish the required current to run the
lamp.
It will thus be seen that this application of electric light.to.endoscopic instruments
is thoroughly practicable and therefore a most valuable attachment, the lamp being
entirely below the inner surface of the jaw and consequently removed from all
danger of being broken during use or while cleansing the instrument.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. An endoscopic instrument provided with an incandescent electric lamp.com-
cealed within the wall of the part to be inserted in the cavity, substantially as
described.
2. An endoscopic instrument having a recess formed therein, an incandescent
electric lamp located therein and a removable fenestrated plate secured to the
instrument in such a manner as to permit the light, to illuminate the cavity during
use, substantially as described.
3. An endoscopic instrument having a recess formed on the inner surface of
its jaw, an incandescent electric lamp located therein, a cushion beneath the
lamp, and a fenestrated plate secured to the jaw of the instrument and permitting
the light from the lamp to illuminate the cavity during use, substantially as
described.
4. An endoscopic instrument having a recessed jaw, an incandescent lamp.located
within the recess, a, transparent plate covering the recess.and an outer plate securing
the transparent plate in place and provided with an opening above the recess and
so located as to permit the light from the lamp to.illuminate the cavity during use,
substantially as described.
5. An endoscopic instrument having a. recessed jaw, an incandescent lamp located
within the recess, an asbestos cushion located beneath the lamp, a transparent

page_text: plate covering the recess and an outer plate securing the transparent plate in
place and provided with an opening above the recess and so located as to
permit the light from the lamp to illuminate the cavity during use, substantially as
described.
Dated this 15th dow of Man 1000
F. W. BARKER,
Applicant's Agent.