Medical speculum and procedure

Claim 2

An improved speculum comprising: a. first and second generally parallel, longitudinally extending members; b. means intercoupling said members for adjusting the relative spatial position therebetween and for restraining said members in fixed relative spatial positions; c. a disposable body positioned on at least one of said members; d. said body being nonreflective to radiant energy and adapted to dissipate impinging radiant energy when wetted; and, e. means for retaining said body on said member, whereby radiant energy projected between said members during a medical procedure and which impinges on said body is dissipated.

Claim 3

The speculum of claim 1 wherein each of said members extends transversely and is curved in a transverse direction.

Claim 4

The speculum of claim 1 wherein said first and second members are formed of a radiant energy reflective material.

Claim 5

The speculum of claim 1 wherein said disposable body has a configuration which provides for engagement between said body and said member for retaining said body on said member.

Claim 6

The speculum of claim 4 wherein said disposable body has a sleeve-shaped configuration and is adapted to be positioned about and to receive said member.

Claim 7

The speculum of claim 5 wherein said sleeve-shaped body is positioned on said first member and a second sleeve-shaped body is positioned on said second member.

Claim 8

The speculum of claim 6 wherein said second sleeve-shaped body includes a pocket segment for engaging a segment of said second member.

Claim 9

The speculum of claim 5 wherein said sleeve-shaped configuration is closed at one end thereof and open at a second opposite end thereof.

Claim 10

An improved speculum comprising: a. first and second generally, longitudinally extending members; b. means intercoupling said members for adjusting the relative spatial position therebetween and for restraining said members in fixed relative spatial positions; c. a disposable body positioned on at least one of said members; d. said disposable body having a sleeve shaped configuration which is adapted to be positioned about and to receive said member and thereby provide for engagement between said body and said member and retain said disposable body on said member; e. said body including a first liquid absorbent segment which is not reflective to radiant energy and is adapted to dissipate impinging radiant energy when wetted; f. said body including a second wettable segment which when wetted exhibits relatively low sliding friction in contact with body tissue; and g. means for retaining said body on said member, whereby radiant energy projected between said members during a medical procedure and which impinges on said body is dissipated.

Claim 11

An improved speculum comprising: a. first and second generally, longitudinally extending members; b. means intercoupling said members for adjusting the relative spatial position therebetween and for restraining said members in fixed relative spatial positions; c. a disposable body positioned on at least one of said members; d. said disposable body having a sleeve shaped configuration which is adapted to be positioned about and to receive said member and thereby provide for engagement between said body and said member and retain said disposable body on said member; e. said body including a first liquid absorbent segment which is not reflective to radiant energy and is adapted to dissipate impinging radiant energy when wetted; f. said body including a second wettable segment which when wetted exhibits relatively low sliding friction in contact with body tissue; and g. means for retaining said body on said member, whereby radiant energy projected between said members during a medical procedure and which impinges on said body is dissipated.

Claim 12

The speculum of claim 9 wherein said sleeve-shaped body includes a flap segment extending longitudinally from said first segment.

Claim 13

The speculum of claim 9 wherein said liquid absorbent segment comprises an absorbent paper.

Claim 14

The speculum of claim 9 wherein said liquid absorbent segment comprises cotton.

Claim 15

The speculum of claim 9 wherein said second segment is formed of a polymer plastic material.

Claim 16

The speculum of claim 13 wherein said second segment comprises nylon.

Claim 17

The speculum of claim 9 wherein said first segment includes a first surface facing toward said second member and a second surface facing toward patient body tissue, said first and second segments of said sleeve-shaped body are positioned respectively adjacent said first and said second surfaces of said member.

Claim 18

The speculum of claim 9 including a liquid permeable segment positioned adjacent said first liquid absorbent segment.

Claim 19

A disposable body for use with a speculum having first and second longitudinally extending members, said body having a segment which is not reflective to laser radiant energy and which dissipates impinging laser radiant energy when said body is wetted, said body having a sleeve-shaped configuration which is adapted to be positioned on and to receive one of said speculum members for retention of said dispoable body thereon, said sleeve-shaped configuration including a first segment formed or a liquid absorbent material and a second segment formed of a wettable material which exhibits low sliding firction in contact with body tissue.

Claim 20

A disposable body for use with a speculum having first and second longitudinally extending members, said body having a segment which is not reflective to laser radiant energy and which dissipates impinging laser radiant energy when said body is wetted, said body having a sleeve-shaped configuration which is adapted to be positioned on and to receive one of said speculum members for retention of said dispoable body thereon, said sleeve-shaped configuration including a first segment formed or a liquid absorbent material and a second segment formed of a wettable material which exhibits low sliding firction in contact with body tissue.

Claim 21

The disposable body of claim 12 wherein said body includes an extending flap segment.

Claim 22

The disposable body of claim 18 wherein said flap segment includes a pocket segment for engaging a member of said speculum.

Claim 23

The disposable body of claim 18 wherein said flap segment includes a tab segment for engaging a member of said speculum.

Claim 24

An improved surgical method comprising the steps of a. positioning a disposable sleeve-shaped body having a non-reflective, liquid absorbent segment and a wettable segment on a first member of a speculum having two longitudinally extending reflective members; b. wetting the body; c. positioning the speculum in a body cavity; d. adjusting the speculum members to establish a spatial relation there between; and, e. projecting a laser beam between the speculum members toward body tissue in the body cavity which is to be treated.

Claim 25

An improved surgical method comprising the steps of a. positioning a disposable sleeve-shaped body having a non-reflective, liquid absorbent segment and a wettable segment on a first member of a speculum having two longitudinally extending reflective members; b. wetting the body; c. positioning the speculum in a body cavity; d. adjusting the speculum members to establish a spatial relation there between; and, e. projecting a laser beam between the speculum members toward body tissue in the body cavity which is to be treated.

Claim 26

The method of claim 21 wherein said body is wetted by placing in a liquid.

Claim 27

The method of claim 21 including the step of removing the speculum from the body cavity after treatment and disposing of said sleeve-shaped body.