Vaginal speculum with a measurement ruler

Abstract

A vaginal speculum consisting of two blades pivotally interconnected through a fork-like member so that the blades can be expanded and fixed in an expanded state in order to dilate the vagina for observing the condition of the vaginal cavity. The device is characterized by having a removable ruler, which slides in guides formed on the inner surface of at least one of the blades and can be withdrawn partially or completely or shifted forward beyond the limits of the distal end of the blade. The ruler has a scale applied onto its surface. The blade is made from metal or a transparent plastic and also may have a scale for use separately or in combination with the scale of the ruler. The vaginal speculum with a removable ruler can be used for measuring severity and positions of vaginal prolapses or for other measurements associated with urological or gynecological procedures without the use of additional instruments.

1 . A vaginal speculum comprising: 
 a first blade having a proximal end and a distal end, said first blade having an elongated configuration and is insertable into a women's vagina from said distal end;    a second blade having a proximal end and a distal end, said second blade having an elongated configuration and is insertable into a women's vagina from said distal end;    a transverse sliding member moveable together with said first blade with respect to said second blade in a direction transverse to said elongated configuration and having means for fixing said transverse sliding member to said second blade in a selected position with respect thereto, said transverse sliding member having means for pivotally supporting said first blade with respect to said second blade for expanding said speculum from a closed state in which said first blade and said second blade are in contact with each other and have a closed cross-sectional configuration and an expanded state in which said first blade and said second blade are moved apart in said direction transverse to said elongated configuration;    at least one of said first and said second blades having a sliding member slidingly and removably inserted therein with possibility of extending forward in the direction of said elongated configuration beyond said distal part thereof.    
     
     
         2 . The vaginal speculum of  claim 1 , wherein said sliding member is a measurement ruler having a measurement scale.  
     
     
         3 . The vaginal speculum of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of said first and said second blades has a measurement scale, said measurement ruler having a proximal end and a distal end.  
     
     
         4 . The vaginal speculum of  claim 3 , wherein said measurement scale of said at least one of said first and said second blades and said measurement scale of said measurement ruler have divisions with a reference points and numbers.  
     
     
         5 . The vaginal speculum of  claim 1 , wherein on said measurement scale of said measurement ruler said numbers increasing in a direction from said distal end towards said proximal end of said measurement ruler.  
     
     
         6 . The vaginal speculum of  claim 5 , wherein on said at least one of said first and said second blades said numbers increasing in a direction selected from a direction from said distal end to said proximal end and in a direction from said proximal end to said distal end of said at least one of said first and said second blades.  
     
     
         7 . The vaginal speculum of  claim 1 , wherein said closed cross-sectional configuration is smooth and wherein said sliding member has an outer surface which forms a part of said closed cross-sectional configuration.  
     
     
         8 . The vaginal speculum of  claim 7 , wherein said closed cross-sectional configuration is selected from a substantially circular and a substantially oval cross-sectional configuration.  
     
     
         9 . The vaginal speculum of  claim 6 , wherein said closed cross-sectional configuration is smooth and wherein said sliding member has an outer surface which forms a part of said closed cross-sectional configuration.  
     
     
         10 . The vaginal speculum of  claim 9 , wherein said closed cross-sectional configuration is selected from a substantially circular and a substantially oval cross-sectional configuration.