Speculum with smoke evacuation channel
US5499964A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 16, 1994 |
| Grant date | Mar 19, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 16, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B1/0669
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An improved vaginal speculum includes a lower blade member having a straight segment, a curved portion, and a hollow leg portion. The speculum also includes a slide member, an upper blade member rotatably and slidably movable relative to lower blade member, and a light pipe extending from the hollow leg toward the straight segment of the lower blade. The light pipe is adapted to direct light from a light source positionable within the leg, into a region under examination. The upper blade is provided with a smoke evacuation passage formed by a U-shaped channel member positioned adjacent a contoured interior surface of the upper blade member. The U-shaped channel member is provided with a forward end, a rearward end, a bottom surface, and a pair of opposed side walls each having a top edge shaped to fit snugly against the contours of the interior surface or retaining walls formed thereon. The U-shaped channel member quickly snap fits into the upper blade which has a conventional configuration that is easily formed by injection molding.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.