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WO2010076555A1 - Instrument pour dilater une cavité - Google Patents

Instrument pour dilater une cavité Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2010076555A1
WO2010076555A1 PCT/GB2009/002957 GB2009002957W WO2010076555A1 WO 2010076555 A1 WO2010076555 A1 WO 2010076555A1 GB 2009002957 W GB2009002957 W GB 2009002957W WO 2010076555 A1 WO2010076555 A1 WO 2010076555A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
blades
instrument
base
instrument according
actuator
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/GB2009/002957
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Stephen Thornton
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire Nhs Trust
Original Assignee
University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire Nhs Trust
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire Nhs Trust filed Critical University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire Nhs Trust
Publication of WO2010076555A1 publication Critical patent/WO2010076555A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/32—Devices for opening or enlarging the visual field, e.g. of a tube of the body
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/227—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor for ears, i.e. otoscopes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/233—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor for the nose, i.e. nasoscopes, e.g. testing of patency of Eustachian tubes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/303—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor for the vagina, i.e. vaginoscopes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/31—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor for the rectum, e.g. proctoscopes, sigmoidoscopes, colonoscopes

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an instrument, such as a speculum, for dilating a cavity.
  • a cavity such as a body cavity of an animal, including the vagina, rectum, ear, nose, throat or a blood vessel. It could also be a cavity associated with natural sciences (such as a cavity between rocks or earth) or man made cavities (such as a pipeline).
  • the instrument may be used for both human and non-human use, for example in both the medical and veterinarian fields.
  • a speculum is an instrument for dilating an orifice or body cavity. Speculum are used, for example, to open the vagina to allow access to the cervix for obtaining samples for PAP- smears. However, they are also used for other procedures requiring an un-obscured view of the cervix or womb.
  • vaginal specula use a "duckbill-shaped" instrument. Such specula use an upper and a lower blade which are hinged and are openable by means of a pair of handles which, when squeezed together, cause the blades to open up. Such specula are often uncomfortable. Furthermore, tissue may obstruct the view through the specula by entering the gaps between the upper and lower blades to the sides of the speculum.
  • a number of inventors have manufactured devices comprising two pairs of blades and complicated operating mechanisms. That is, a pair of upper and lower blades and a pair of side blades.
  • US 6,416,467 discloses the use of two pairs. The two pairs of blades require separate adjustments using separate mechanisms.
  • US 6,024,696 discloses upper and lower blades, the upper blade being movable upwards. Additionally, it comprises a separate set of independently movable hinged side-all blades.
  • US 6,048,308 also discloses upper and lower blades with a pair of lateral retracting bills. Once again, a separate mechanism is used to open the lateral bills.
  • US 5,377,667 discloses a speculum comprising a number of arms which are pivotally attached to a proximal base. Distal to the base is an actuator, the actuator and the base being perpendicularly movable relative to each other. The arms extend through apertures in the actuator so that when the actuator is moved away from the base-plate towards the patient, it forces the arms apart to dilate the body cavity.
  • the document also shows a mechanism based on the use of an iris diaphragm to control the opening and closing of the arms.
  • the inventors have identified a simple mechanism for using with an instrument such as a speculum. When adapted and used with the instrument it allows the instrument to be easily manufactured, with reduced cost and allows the instrument to be readily adapted to a variety of different uses.
  • the first aspect of the invention provides an instrument, such as a speculum, for dilating a cavity, the speculum comprising:
  • each blade having a proximal end and a distal end and being hingedly mounted on the base so that each blade is movable between a closed position and an open position so that the body cavity can be opened, each blade additionally comprising proximally to the hinge a radially extending tail;
  • an actuator the actuator and base movable relative to one another along the blades, wherein the actuator comprises an engagement portion capable of engaging the radially extending tails to cause the blades to move between the closed position to an open position.
  • the distal end of the blades is the end of the blades that would usually be inserted into the cavity, with the proximal end closest to the operator of the instrument.
  • the cavity may be animal or non-animal. It is preferably a body cavity of an animal. It may also be used for non-animal use.
  • the term "radially extending" is intended to mean that when the instrument is in a closed position the tails extend away from the axis (are not parallel to the axis) of the instrument.
  • the tail may simply be a substantially straight continuation of the blade. However, preferably the tail is cranked outwardly from the main portion of the blade.
  • a portion of the proximal end of the blade is bent outwardly at an angle of preferably between 5° and 45°, most preferably between 15° and 25° compared to the main portion of the blade.
  • the angle of each blade may be the same or different, for example to ensure that the blades open smoothly.
  • the blades are evenly spaced around the base-member.
  • the blades are preferably substantially identical to each other, especially the portion of the blades extending from the base-member towards the distal end of the blades.
  • the extending tails may differ from blade to blade, for example in the angle at which they radially extend, to allow the actuator to smoothly engage the radially extending tails and ensure substantially equally movement of each of the blades.
  • the blades may taper from the proximal end to the distal end of the blade.
  • the blades have a convex outer surface to assist in the insertion of the blades.
  • a substantially conical-shaped instrument such as a speculum
  • the tip of the blades together may form an aperture to assist in the release of any air or fluid trapped within the cavity upon insertion of the speculum. This is especially useful where the cavity is an animal cavity, such as a vagina.
  • the distal tip of each blade is bent inwardly to produce, when in use, a generally rounded tip, optionally with an aperture in the middle of the tip.
  • the tip may comprise a cutout portion to form the aperture.
  • the instrument may additionally comprise a resilient return means to bias the blades towards the closed position.
  • a resilient return means to bias the blades towards the closed position.
  • This may be provided by one or more springs, or alternatively a resilient material.
  • the resilient return-means comprises a band of resilient material, such as a rubber or elasticated washer or band around the circumference of the blades.
  • such resilient material is adjacent to the base. Two or more bands of material may be provided.
  • the resilient return-means may be mounted on or attached to the blades.
  • the base may be provided with a resilient material.
  • the resilient material may extend proximally to the hinge and in use the material biases the blades towards a closed position.
  • the resilient material may itself provide the hinge and may be flexible.
  • the blades may be attached to the resilient material, for example, by welding or gluing.
  • the base and the actuator each comprise cut away portions defining an aperture forming a window substantially through the axis of the instrument to allow the user to see through the actuator and the base into the cavity.
  • the aperture may also allow access to the body cavity to obtain samples of material, such as for PAP smears or alternatively the insertion of e.g. catheters.
  • the base may comprise an annular portion on which the blades are mounted.
  • the blades may be mounted by pinning the blades onto the base to form a hinge.
  • the blade may be hingedly mounted by passing through an aperture formed within a wall of the ring. That is, they are mounted within arcuate apertures within the annulus itself, not within the aperture formed by the inner radius of the ring.
  • One or more notches may be provided in the blades to engage an inner portion of the base defining each aperture and form the hinge.
  • the blades may be attached to a flexible resilient material, such as a plastics material, mounted on the base, the resilient material forming the hinge.
  • the blade may be attached by, for example, glue or welding.
  • the resilient material may also be integrally moulded with the blade and the resilient material mounted on the base by, for example, glue or welding.
  • he flexible material may be resilient and/or have shape memory to bias the blades towards the closed position. This assists in allowing the blades to close.
  • the blades may also be provided with one or more axles which engage with mountings on the base to form the hinge.
  • a separate flange of resilient material on the blade may engage with the base to bias the blade towards a closed position.
  • the actuator may comprise an annular portion around the circumference of a proximal portion of the blades.
  • the base and/or actuator may comprise a handle. That is, the base and/or actuator may be mounted on a handle or integrally moulded with the handle.
  • the base handle and the actuator handle are preferably hingedly attached so that moving the handles together at an end away from the blades causes the actuator and base to move apart and open the blades of the instrument.
  • the hinge for the handles may be mounted on a flange extending away from one of the handles to keep the handles apart at that point. In such a system, the base and actuator become slightly angled relative to each other. The angle of the tail of each blade may be different to ensure that the blades open smoothly and substantially equally.
  • the base and actuator are substantially adjacent to each other.
  • a portion of at least one of the handles extends substantially perpendicular to the axis of the instrument and additionally a portion of one or each of the handles is then angled, or cranked away, from the distal ends of the blades.
  • the handles diverge away from each other. That is, for example, the handle of the actuator is angled away from the distal end of the handle at a greater angle than the handle attached to the base, so that there is an acute angle between the two handles. The pivot between the two handles may then be substantially at the point where the two handles begin to diverge.
  • the instrument may comprise a stop to restrict the movement of the handles together.
  • This may be in the form of a stop provided on one of the handles or, alternatively, may be in the form of an adjustable stop such as a screw to prevent the handles opening the instrument too far.
  • Means to maintain the instrument in an open position may be provided. This may, for example, be a clamp to maintain the handles in a fixed position together. Alternatively, a threaded screw may extend from one handle through the second handle and an adjustable nut may be provided to allow the handles to be maintained in a closed position with the instrument open.
  • a ratchet, attached at a first end to a first handle, and which releasably engages with the second handle to hold the two handles together, may also be provided. The ratchet may be released by pressing a lever at the second end to disengage the ratchet from the second handle. The ratchet may be attached to the first handle via a hinge.
  • One or more of the blades may additionally comprise a radially extended flange or abutment at its proximal end to restrict movement of the actuator beyond the flange. This simply ensures that the actuator is not overly extended beyond the extent of the blades. It also assists in ensuring the blades open and close proportionally.
  • each blade is moveable from the base and the actuator.
  • each blade may be manufactured from a different material to the base and actuator.
  • each blade may be manufactured from a disposable plastics material and the base and actuator may be made of a resterilisable material, such as stainless steel. This reduced the risk of cross-infection with the device and reduces costs.
  • the simple mechanism provided by the claimed device means that the device is easily manufactured and is easily constructed.
  • the instrument may also be used with a flexible sheath that may be placed along the length of the blades from the distal end of the blades towards the base.
  • This flexible material may be made of, for example, latex in a similar manner to an open- ended condom, and may be elastic so that it expands with the extension of the blades apart on opening the instrument. This assists in reducing the possibility of cross-infection from the repeated use of the instrument.
  • the sheath may be used in addition to, or instead of, the resilient return-means, with the resiliency of the sheath ensuring that the blades return together to allow withdrawal of the instrument.
  • Methods for opening a cavity such as a body cavity of an animal, such as a vagina, rectum, ear, nose, throat or blood vessel, comprising inserting as instrument according to the invention, into the body cavity in a closed state, causing the actuator to move away from the base, the actuator engaging the radially extending tails and moving tails inwardly towards the axis of the instrument, causing the blades of the instrument to open outwardly to open the body cavity. That is, in use, the actuator is moved away from the base. This causes the actuator to slide along the tail of the base, causing the blade to pivot about the hinge on the body. This causes the blade to open outwardly, thus opening the body cavity.
  • the cavity may also be a non-animal cavity.
  • the base defines a plurality of apertures in the base through which the blades are inserted.
  • each aperture comprises a larger arcuate portion and a smaller inner arcuate portion of a reduced radius. This allows the blades to be inserted through the larger portion until the notch on the blades is reached. The notch on the blades then allows the blade to drop into the portion of the notch with the reduced radius, thus maintaining the blade in position with the notch interacting with the side of the reduced portion of the aperture to restrict further movement of the blade through the aperture.
  • the whole instrument may be made of resterilisable material.
  • the blades may be disposed of and the handle resterilised.
  • the instrument may be provided with a light pipe to illuminate the cavity.
  • Light pipes are generally known in the art. They may for example be a bundle of optic fibres which carry light from a light source, such as a light bulb or LED, to a portion of the instrument. Alternatively or additionally, one or more blades may be made out of a transparent material, such as a transparent plastics material. This may then act as a light guide if connected to a light source, such as a bulb or LED.
  • Figure 1 shows an example of the instrument from one side, with the blades closed.
  • Figure 2 shows an example of the instrument with the blades open from one side.
  • Figure 3 shows an example of the instrument, looking at the distal end of the instrument with the instrument closed.
  • Figure 4 shows a view of the instrument, looking at the distal end of the instrument with the blades open.
  • Figure 5 shows a view of the instrument, looking at the proximal end with the blades open.
  • Figure 6 shows an example of a blade showing the inside of a blade.
  • Figure 7 shows the blade from one side.
  • Figure 8 shows the base and actuator mechanism from one side.
  • Figure 9 shows the base and actuator mechanism without the blades, looking from the distal end of the instrument.
  • Figure 10 shows a detail of an alternative embodiment using an alternative hinge arrangement.
  • Figure 11 shows the main components of the alternative embodiment.
  • Figure 12 shows a blade for use in the alternative embodiment from one side.
  • Figure 13 shows the base and actuator from the distal end of the alternative embodiment, without the blades in position.
  • Figure 14 shows an alternative blade for an alternative hinge arrangement.
  • Figure 15 shows the alternative blade mounted on a base.
  • Figure 16 shows a ratchet arrangement for holding the two handles apart.
  • the figures show an instrument (10), with a base (12), blades (14) (by way of example, four blades in this case) and actuator (16).
  • the base (12) comprises a circumferential ring (18) through which the blades (14) are hingedly mounted.
  • Actuator (16) comprises an annular ring (20) mounted proximal to the base (12) around the circumference of the blades (14).
  • the proximal end of the blades comprises a radially extending tail (22) extending outwardly from the axis of the instrument (10).
  • the base (12), in addition to the base ring (18), comprises a handle (24). This is also shown in detail in Figures 8 and 9.
  • the actuator also comprises, in addition to the actuator ring (20), an actuator handle (26).
  • the handles initially extend perpendicular to the axis of the instrument. The handles then angle away from, for example in a cranked manner, the distal end of the instrument (10). As shown in the figures, the handles diverge away from each other.
  • the handles (24, 26) are attached together via a hinge (28) on a flange (30) extending from the base handle (24) towards the point where the handles begin to diverge away from each other.
  • the blades (14) in the closed position shown in Figure 1 form substantially a conical shape. This is also shown from one end in Figure 3.
  • the blades (14) each converge from the proximal end to the distal end of each blade. They comprise a convex outer surface (32) and a convex inner surface (34). This improves the insertion of the instrument into the body cavity whilst maximising the view through a window (36) formed by apertures through each of the base ring (18) and actuator ring (20).
  • the distal end of each blade preferably tapers further and is bent inwardly to produce a substantially rounded end to the instrument when in the closed state.
  • the end of each blade may be cut away to allow the formation of a hole in the end of the instrument (40), as shown in more detail in Figure 3.
  • the distal end of the instrument (38) is inserted into the body cavity.
  • Base handle (24) and actuator handle (26) are closed together. This causes the actuator ring (20) to move away from the base ring (18) and engage the blade tails (22). This forces the tails of the blades together, thus causing the distal ends of the blades to diverge away from each other.
  • a stop, in the form of a screw (42) may be provided to restrict movement of the handles together.
  • the handles may be maintained together by means of, for example, a screw extending from one handle through the other handle with a nut (44) attached to it.
  • the blades (14) are biased towards a closed position by, for example, elastic washers or elastic bands (46). These allow the instrument blades to return to a closed position once the nut (44) is released.
  • FIGS. 6 and 7 show the blades in more detail.
  • the blade (14) is shown to comprise a tail (22) which in use extends radially from the instrument.
  • the blade tail (22) preferably is cranked outwardly from the main body of the blade (14) to reduce the amount of movement required by the actuator (20) to open the blades (14).
  • the angle between the main body of the blade (48) and tail (22) is preferably between 5° and 45°, especially around 20°.
  • the blade comprises a notch (50) which interacts with the portions of base ring (18) defining an aperture to form a hinge.
  • Figure 9 shows the arrangement of apertures (52) through which the blades are inserted.
  • the apertures comprise two parts: a first outer portion through which the blade may freely slide with a wider portion (56).
  • the blade (14) may be freely inserted and moved when pushed through the outer part of the aperture. Once the notched part of the blade (50) is reached, then the blade may be pushed inwardly so that the notched portion sits within the second, narrower inner part of the aperture. The blade, in this position, cannot move axially because the notch on the blade retains the blade in position and helps to form a hinge.
  • FIGS 10 to 13 show an alternative embodiment of a speculum according to the invention in which the blades (64) are hingedly fixed to base (62) in a different manner to the first example.
  • the figures show an instrument (60) with a base (62), blades (64) and actuator (66).
  • the base comprises a circumferential ring (68) through which the blades (64) are mounted.
  • the actuator comprises an annular ring (70) around the circumference of the blades (64).
  • the proximal end of the blades (64) comprises a radially extending tail (72) extending outwardly of the instrument (60).
  • Handles (74 and 76) are provided in a similar manner and arrangement to the first embodiment attached via a hinge (77).
  • the alternative embodiment differs from the first example shown in Figures 1 to 9, principally by the arrangement of the hinge and biasing means.
  • the base (62) is provided with a flange of flexible resilient material (78) extending axially towards the actuator (66).
  • the blades (64) are preferably welded to the resilient material (78).
  • the handles (74 and 76) are pressed together. This causes the actuator ring (70) to move away from the base ring (68) causing the distal end of the blade tails (72) to engage with the ring (70) and diverge away from each other.
  • the blades (64) attached to the resilient material (78) move apart at the proximal end by bending the resilient material (78) which acts as a hinge.
  • the resilient material (78) biases the blades (64) towards a closed position.
  • the blades (64) may close after pressure exerted to open the blades (64), via the handles (74 and 76) is released.
  • the advantage of this arrangement is that the construction of the blade (64) is simpler without a notch.
  • the base ring (68) lacks the apertures (52) of the first example.
  • Figure 14 shows a blade 80, with tail 82.
  • the blade comprises two axles 86, which, when mounted on a base allow the blade 14 to pivot.
  • Figure 15 shows the blade 14 mounted on a base 88.
  • the axles 84, 86 click fit into a mounting 90, 92 on the base.
  • Two blades are shown. However, in this embodiment two additional blades would normally be attached for use.
  • Figure 14 also shows a resilient flange 94, which engages with the base (88 - Figure 15), to biase the blades towards a closed position.
  • Figure 16 shows an alternative embodiment for holding the two handles (shown in cross section) 74, 76 apart.
  • One handle 74 has a ratchet 96 hingedly attached to it at one end 97.
  • the ratchet extends through the second handle 70 and has teeth 98 which releasably engage with the handle 76 to hold the handles 74, 76 open.
  • a lever 100 is provided to allow the teeth to be disengaged and close the handle.
  • the components of the instrument may be made of any suitable material, such as stainless steel or a plastics material.
  • the base and blades are made of stainless steel, which may be reused by sterilising in, for example, an autoclave.
  • the blades may also be resterilisable or, alternatively, may be made of a disposable material, such as a plastics material.
  • a sheath may be placed around the blades of the instrument.
  • the sheath should be of an elastic material, such as latex or other similar material of the type used to make condoms. The material can then flex with the blades as they open and close. The sheath itself may replace the use of the elastic bands to close the blades of the instrument.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Surgery (AREA)
  • Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
  • Biophysics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Medical Informatics (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Prostheses (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un instrument pour dilater une cavité, l'instrument comprenant: (a) une base; (b) une pluralité de lames allongées qui s'étendent essentiellement axialement le long de l'instrument, chaque lame présentant une extrémité proximale et une extrémité distale et étant attachée à une matière élastique flexible montée sur la base, la matière élastique formant une charnière de telle sorte que chaque lame soit mobile entre une position fermée et une position ouverte, et que la cavité de corps puisse être ouverte, chaque lame comprenant en outre à proximité de la charnière une queue s'étendant radialement; et (c) un actionneur, l'actionneur et la base étant mobiles l'un par rapport à l'autre le long des lames. L'actionneur comprend une partie de coopération qui est capable de coopérer avec les queues s'étendant radialement pour amener les lames à se déplacer entre la position fermée et la position ouverte.
PCT/GB2009/002957 2008-12-29 2009-12-24 Instrument pour dilater une cavité Ceased WO2010076555A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0823616.8 2008-12-29
GB0823616A GB0823616D0 (en) 2008-12-29 2008-12-29 Instrument

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2010076555A1 true WO2010076555A1 (fr) 2010-07-08

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PCT/GB2009/002957 Ceased WO2010076555A1 (fr) 2008-12-29 2009-12-24 Instrument pour dilater une cavité

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Country Link
GB (1) GB0823616D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO2010076555A1 (fr)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2525676A (en) * 2014-05-02 2015-11-04 Girish Ganesha Babu Access tool
US9492197B2 (en) 2009-10-13 2016-11-15 Materna Medical, Inc. Methods and apparatus for preventing vaginal lacerations during childbirth
US10828476B2 (en) 2015-07-10 2020-11-10 Materna Medical, Inc. Systems and methods for the treatment and prevention of female pelvic dysfunction
US20220400939A1 (en) * 2021-06-18 2022-12-22 Kasra Rastani Variable/self-securing ear speculum
EP3998930B1 (fr) * 2019-07-17 2025-09-10 Tusker Medical, Inc. Système permettant la visualisation pendant des actes médicaux

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5377667A (en) * 1992-12-03 1995-01-03 Michael T. Patton Speculum for dilating a body cavity
WO1998011818A1 (fr) * 1996-09-18 1998-03-26 Meditech International Pty. Ltd. Speculum
WO1998033431A1 (fr) * 1997-02-03 1998-08-06 James Richard Smith Speculum medical
WO1999012466A1 (fr) * 1997-09-09 1999-03-18 Mca Medical Products Pty. Ltd. Speculum
WO2001041627A2 (fr) * 1999-12-02 2001-06-14 Scott Resnick Speculum

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5377667A (en) * 1992-12-03 1995-01-03 Michael T. Patton Speculum for dilating a body cavity
WO1998011818A1 (fr) * 1996-09-18 1998-03-26 Meditech International Pty. Ltd. Speculum
WO1998033431A1 (fr) * 1997-02-03 1998-08-06 James Richard Smith Speculum medical
WO1999012466A1 (fr) * 1997-09-09 1999-03-18 Mca Medical Products Pty. Ltd. Speculum
WO2001041627A2 (fr) * 1999-12-02 2001-06-14 Scott Resnick Speculum

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9492197B2 (en) 2009-10-13 2016-11-15 Materna Medical, Inc. Methods and apparatus for preventing vaginal lacerations during childbirth
US11806047B2 (en) 2009-10-13 2023-11-07 Materna Medical, Inc Methods and apparatus for preventing vaginal lacerations during childbirth
GB2525676A (en) * 2014-05-02 2015-11-04 Girish Ganesha Babu Access tool
US10828476B2 (en) 2015-07-10 2020-11-10 Materna Medical, Inc. Systems and methods for the treatment and prevention of female pelvic dysfunction
US11712547B2 (en) 2015-07-10 2023-08-01 Materna Medical, Inc. Systems and methods for the treatment and prevention of female pelvic dysfunction
EP3998930B1 (fr) * 2019-07-17 2025-09-10 Tusker Medical, Inc. Système permettant la visualisation pendant des actes médicaux
US20220400939A1 (en) * 2021-06-18 2022-12-22 Kasra Rastani Variable/self-securing ear speculum

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