US6432048B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lateral wall retractor vaginal speculum
Assignee: University of South Florida St. Petersburg
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Filing: 1999-06-24
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Granted: 2002-08-13
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Expires: 2019-06-24
Abstract
Abstract A vaginal speculum for retaining loose vaginal tissue in a lateral direction includes a pair of blades that are moveable between an open position and a closed position. The blades in the closed position are adapted for insertion into a vagina and in the open position are adapted for dilating the vagina for providing access to a cervix. The speculum also includes a flexible membrane structure, such as a pair of membranes that extend between the blades, The membranes are adapted to retain the lateral walls of the vagina in spaced relation from a midline of the vagina when the blades are in the open position. The membranes are configured to remain in a generally collapsed configuration when the blades are in the closed position to avoid interfering with insertion or withdrawal of the speculum.
Inventors
- 👤 M. Rony Francois
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 13:26
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/303; A61B1/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A vaginal speculum comprising: a pair of blades, movable between an open position and a closed position, the blades in the closed position adapted for insertion into a vagina and in the open position adapted for dilating the vagina for providing access to a cervix; a flexible membrane structure affixed to and extending between lateral edges of the blades, the membrane structure adapted to unfold in a substantially lateral plane responsive to the blades moving to the open position whereby the lateral walls of the vagina are retained in spaced relation from a midline of the vagina and the membrane structure inwardly collapsing responsive to the blades moving to the closed position whereby the membrane structure does not project outward from the lateral edges of the blades and thus will not interfere with insertion or withdrawal of the pair of blades.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
A vaginal speculum comprising: a pair of blades, movable between an open position and a closed position, the blades in the closed position adapted for insertion into a vagina and in the open position adapted for dilating the vagina for providing access to a cervix; a flexible membrane structure affixed to and extending between lateral edges of the blades, the membrane structure adapted to unfold in a substantially lateral plane responsive to the blades moving to the open position whereby the lateral walls of the vagina are retained in spaced relation from a midline of the vagina and the membrane structure inwardly collapsing responsive to the blades moving to the closed position whereby the membrane structure does not project outward from the lateral edges of the blades and thus will not interfere with insertion or withdrawal of the pair of blades.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
96 words
The speculum recited in claim 1 , wherein the membrane structure comprises a pair of membranes affixed to and extending in substantially parallel fashion between the lateral edges of each blade, the membrane structures adapted to unfold in substantially planar orientations responsive to the blades moving to the open position whereby the lateral walls of the vagina are retained in spaced relation and the pair of membranes inwardly collapsing responsive to the blades moving to the closed position whereby the pair of membranes will not interfere with the insertion or withdrawal of the pair of blades.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The speculum recited in claim 2 , wherein at least one of the membranes has at least one laterally oriented fenestration therein for providing access to a lateral wall of the vagina.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The speculum recited in claim 1 , wherein the membrane structure comprises a tubular member having a pair of distal pockets integral therewith, each pocket dimensioned to receive a distal end of one of the blades.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The speculum recited in claim 1 , further comprising a pair of downwardly depending handle members, one handle member affixed to each of the blades, the handle members operable in cooperation to move the blades between the open and the closed position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The speculum recited in claim 5 , wherein the handle members are relatively lockable for maintaining a desired position therebetween.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The speculum recited in claim 1 , wherein the speculum is disposable.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The speculum recited in claim 1 , wherein the membrane structure comprises a transparent material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
120 words
A sheath for a vagina speculum comprising: a flexible membrane tubular member for covering opposed blades of a speculum, the tubular membrane adapted to unfold in a substantially lateral plane responsive to the blades moving to an open position to retain lateral walls of a vagina in spaced relation from a midline of the vagina, the tubular member inwardly collapsing responsive to the blades moving to a closed position whereby the tubular member does not project outward from lateral edges of the blades and thus will not interfere with insertion or withdrawal of the pair of blades; and a pair of distal pockets integral with the tubular member, each pocket dimensioned to receive a distal end of a speculum blade.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
120 words
A sheath for a vagina speculum comprising: a flexible membrane tubular member for covering opposed blades of a speculum, the tubular membrane adapted to unfold in a substantially lateral plane responsive to the blades moving to an open position to retain lateral walls of a vagina in spaced relation from a midline of the vagina, the tubular member inwardly collapsing responsive to the blades moving to a closed position whereby the tubular member does not project outward from lateral edges of the blades and thus will not interfere with insertion or withdrawal of the pair of blades; and a pair of distal pockets integral with the tubular member, each pocket dimensioned to receive a distal end of a speculum blade.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The sheath recited in claim 9 , wherein the sheath is disposable.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
94 words
The sheath recited in claim 9 wherein the membrane comprises a pair of membranes affixed to and extending in substantially parallel fashion between the lateral edges of each blade, the membrane structures adapted to unfold in substantially planar orientations responsive to the blades moving to the open position whereby the lateral walls of the vagina are retained in spaced relation and the pair of membranes inwardly collapsing responsive to the blades moving to the closed position whereby the pair of membranes will not interfere wit the insertion or withdrawal of the pair of blades.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The sheath recited in claim 11 , wherein the pair of membranes comprise transparent material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The sheath recited in claim 11 , wherein at least one of the pair of membranes has at least one laterally oriented fenestration therein for providing access to a lateral wall of the vagina.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-08-12 | 2006-02-11 | 2006-08-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-08-12 | 2010-02-11 | 2010-08-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-08-12 | 2014-02-11 | 2014-08-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |