Patent ID: 8608652

Claim:
A speculum, comprising: a base defining an opening therethrough, the base comprising a first base portion and a second base portion pivotably coupled about a hinge to increase or decrease a size of the opening defined by the base; a first blade attached to the first base portion, the first blade extending transverse to the first base portion and comprising a first distal end; a second blade attached to the second base portion, the second blade extending transverse to the second base portion and comprising a second distal end, wherein the first blade and the second blade are movable with respect to each other about the hinge; and at least one locking assembly configured to releasably hold the first blade and the second blade relative to each other in at least one locked position, wherein, when the first blade and the second blade are in the at least one locked position, a shortest distance between the first distal end and a plane defined by the proximal surface is substantially equal to another shortest distance between the second distal end and the plane defined by the proximal surface, and wherein, when the first blade and the second blade are in the at least one locked position, the at least one locking assembly is structured to prevent the first blade from moving toward the second blade.