Vaginal Speculum Apparatus

• US 20080269565A1
• Filed: 04/03/2006
• Published: 10/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Welch Allyn Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Welch Allyn Incorporated
• Inventors: Salvati, Jon R., McMahon, Michael T., Vivenzio, Robert L., Danna, Dominick, Krauter, Allan I., Saddlemire, Dale C., Burnett, Stephen W., Briggs, Daniel C., Spanfelner, Scott G.
• Granted Patent: US 8,821,395 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/203
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00105 characterised by modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00114 Electrical cables in or with an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/06 with illuminating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0669 at proximal end of an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0684 using light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/303 for the vagina, i.e. vaginoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/32 Devices for opening or enlarging the visual field, e.g. of a tube of the body dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A vaginal speculum apparatus includes a disposable speculum and a releasably attachable illumination assembly. A handle portion of the disposable speculum includes a receiving cavity that is adapted to interchangeably receive either a first or a second illumination assembly.

Claims

1. A vaginal speculum apparatus comprising:

a vaginal speculum including an upper blade member and a lower blade member having a handle portion, said handle portion including a receiving cavity;

a first illumination assembly including a housing containing a light source, said housing being connected to an external non-portable power supply; and

a second illumination assembly including a housing that contains a light source, said second illumination assembly further including means for receiving at least one portable power supply for powering the light source, each of said first and second illumination assemblies being interchangeably engageable with the receiving cavity of said speculum handle for illuminating a target.

2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said first illumination assembly includes an incandescent lamp as a light source.

3. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said first illumination assembly includes at least one LED as a light source.

4. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said second illumination assembly includes an incandescent lamp as a light source.

5. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said second illumination assembly includes at least one LED as a light source.

6. An apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein said at least one LED is a white LED.

7. An apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein said at least one LED is a white LED.

8. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second illumination assemblies includes a switch mechanism.

9. An apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein said switch mechanism enables said light source to be energized automatically when said illumination assembly is inserted at least a predetermined distance into said receiving cavity.

10. An apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said switch mechanism is enabled for manual and automatic operation.

11. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said portable power supply includes at least one battery.

12. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said at least one battery is rechargeable.

13. An apparatus as recited in claim 12, including a docking station having recharging circuitry for recharging said at least one battery.

14. An apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein said docking station includes a plurality of ports to enable a plurality of illumination assemblies to be recharged simultaneously.

15. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said second illumination assembly includes a low-battery power indicator.

16. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said at least one battery is housed within said housing of said second illumination assembly.

17. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said second illumination assembly is configured with said at least one battery having the ability to operate continuously so as to enable a user to operate said apparatus for at least two consecutive examinations.

18. An apparatus as recited in claim 17, wherein said at least one battery can operate continuously for at least 20 minutes.

19. An apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein said docking station includes at least one charge level indicator.

20. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said receiving cavity includes at least one retention feature for retaining at least one of said first and second illumination assemblies.

21. An apparatus as recited in claim 20, wherein said at least one retention feature is used for aligning a said illumination assembly relative to said receiving cavity.

22. An apparatus is recited in claim 21, wherein said handle portion is a wholly enclosed portion except for a bottom open end and in which said receiving cavity is defined by a substantially uniform rectangular cross section.

23. An apparatus as recited in claim 22, wherein said at least one retention features includes a pair of grooves disposed on opposing internal sidewalls of said receiving cavity.

24. An apparatus as recited in claim 21, wherein at least one of said first and second illumination assemblies can be disposed at multiple rotational orientations about a primary axis thereof within said receiving cavity.

25. An apparatus as recited in claim 24, wherein said at least one of said first and second illumination assemblies includes a switch mechanism enabling said light source to be automatically energized when said at least one illumination assembly is inserted at least a predetermined distance into said receiving cavity and in which the rotational orientation of said at least one illumination assembly does not affect automatic operation of said switch mechanism.

26. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, including a light pipe formed in an upper end of said handle portion, said light pipe being optically couplable to each of first or second illumination assemblies.

27. An apparatus as recited in claim 26, wherein said light pipe includes a proximal end that is optically couplable to each of said first and second illumination assemblies and a collecting lens that is part of said proximal end.

28. An apparatus as recited in claim 27, wherein said collecting lens is supported on a pedestal section formed as part of said proximal end.

29. An apparatus as recited in claim 26, wherein said light pipe includes a distal end that is arranged within the lower blade member through which light from a coupled illumination assembly is emitted towards a target, said distal end being contoured.

30. An apparatus as recited in claim 29, wherein said distal end is formed with a curvi-linear surface.

31. An apparatus as recited in claim 29, wherein said distal end is formed with an angled surface.

32. An apparatus as recited in claim 27, including a guide disposed at the upper end of said receiving cavity for aligning at least one of said first and second illumination assemblies relative to the proximal end of said light pipe.

33. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, including means for controlling quality of the illumination spot generated by said at least one of said first and second illumination assemblies.

34. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, including means for controlling the output of illumination from at least one of said first and second illumination assemblies.

35. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, including means for dissipating heat developed by said light source.

36. An apparatus as recited in claim 35, wherein said heat dissipating means includes a heat sink disposed in at least one of said first and second illumination assemblies.

37. An apparatus as recited in claim 35, wherein said heat dissipating means includes at least one air gap disposed in said receiving cavity.

38. An apparatus as recited in claim 37, wherein said speculum includes at least one retention feature for retaining at least one of said first and said second illumination assemblies, said at least one retention feature including a pair of grooves defining said at least one air gap.

39. An apparatus as recited in claim 35, wherein at least a portion of a housing of said at least one of said first and second illumination assemblies contains a phase change material.

40. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, including means for adjusting the color temperature of a light source of at least one of said first and second illumination assemblies.

41. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said second illumination assembly includes an upper portion that is sized to fit entirely within said receiving cavity to provide substantially close contact with said interior walls of said receiving cavity.

42. An apparatus as recited in claim 41, wherein said second illumination assembly includes a base portion that extends partially from said handle portion wherein said apparatus is defined by a working length, as measured between a bottom surface of said extending base portion and the most proximal bottom portion of the lower blade member that contacts the patient, in the range of approximately 3 inches to 6 inches.

43. An apparatus as recited in claim 41, wherein said handle portion is defined by a substantially uniform rectangular cross section, said handle portion having a width to depth aspect ratio in the range of approximately 1.25:

1 to 3;

1.

44. An apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein said switch mechanism includes an exterior switch member, a portion of said switch member being provided on said housing.

45. An apparatus as recited in claim 44, wherein said second illumination assembly can be used as a separate examination light.

46. An apparatus as recited in claim 45, including means for selectively locking the switch member in a predetermined position.

47. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, including a speculum adapter attachable to at least one of said first and second illumination assemblies, said speculum adapter including an external envelope that is similar to one of said illumination assemblies and an internal envelope that is sized to receive the other of said illumination assemblies, thereby simplifying mechanical attachment to said receiving cavity.

48. An apparatus as recited in claim 47, wherein the exterior envelope is substantially similar to that of said second illumination assembly and the interior envelope is adapted to receive said first illumination assembly.

49. An apparatus as recited in claim 48, wherein the exterior envelope of said speculum adapter is sized to provide a substantially close contacting fit with the interior of said receiving cavity.

50. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, including a power adapter attachable to said second illumination assembly, said power adapter including means for retaining said portable power source.

51. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, including a power adapter attachable to said second illumination assembly, said power adapter including an auxiliary power supply to be used in lieu of said at least one battery.

52. An apparatus as recited in claim 51, wherein said auxiliary power supply is at least one other battery.

53. An apparatus as recited in claim 51, wherein said auxiliary power supply is a non-portable power supply.

54. An apparatus as recited in claim 51, wherein said power adapter is tethered to said housing.

55. An apparatus as recited in claim 51, wherein said power adapter includes a body, said body being mechanically and electrically coupled at one end to an end of said housing.

56. An apparatus as recited in claim 50, wherein said power adapter includes a body which is mechanically and electrically coupled at one end thereof to an end of said housing.

57. An apparatus as recited in claim 50, wherein said power adapter is tethered to said housing.

58. An apparatus as recited in claim 42, including a disposable sheath member attachable to said extending base portion of said second illumination assembly.

59. An apparatus as recited in claim 58, wherein said disposable sheath member includes a frangible tear strip.

60. An apparatus as recited in claim 44, wherein said exterior switch member is biased in an off position.

61. An apparatus as recited in claim 60, including means for locking said switch member in a predetermined position.

62. An apparatus as recited in claim 61, wherein said switch mechanism is enabled for automatic operation when said housing is inserted at least a predetermined distance into said receiving cavity and in which locking said switch member disables automatic operation.

63. An apparatus as recited in claim 37, wherein said receiving cavity of said handle portion is sized to provide said at least one air gap based on size differences between said first and said second illumination assemblies.

64. An apparatus as recited in claim 34, wherein said illumination output controlling means includes at least one optical element disposed at a distal end of at least one of said first and second illumination assemblies.

65. An apparatus as recited in claim 64, wherein said at least one optical element includes a prismatic element for directing illumination from said light source towards a target along said lower blade member, said illumination assembly being axially movable within said receiving cavity to provide control of the output.

66. An apparatus as recited in claim 34, wherein said illumination output controlling means includes a rheostat.

67. A vaginal speculum apparatus comprising:

a vaginal speculum including a handle portion having a receiving cavity; and

an illumination assembly including a housing containing a light source and means for receiving at least one battery for powering the light source, said illumination assembly being engageable with the receiving cavity of said handle portion for illuminating a target.

68. An apparatus as recited in claim 67, wherein said light source includes at least one LED.

69. An apparatus as recited in claim 68, wherein said at least one LED includes at least one white LED.

70. An apparatus as recited in claim 67, wherein said light source includes at least one incandescent lamp.

71. An apparatus as recited in claim 67, wherein said at least one battery is rechargeable.

72. An apparatus as recited in claim 71, including a docking station, said docking station having recharging circuitry for recharging said at least one battery.

73. An apparatus as recited in claim 72, wherein said docking station includes at least one charge level indicator.

74. An apparatus as recited in claim 67, wherein said illumination assembly includes a low-battery power indicator.

75. An apparatus as recited in claim 67, wherein said illumination assembly includes means for controlling the illumination output of said light source.

76. An apparatus as recited in claim 75, wherein said illumination output controlling means includes a rheostat.

77. An apparatus as recited in claim 67, including means for controlling the quality of the illumination spot produced by said speculum.

78. An apparatus as recited in claim 75, wherein said illumination output controlling means includes at least one optical element disposed at a distal end of said illumination assembly.

79. An apparatus as recited in claim 78, wherein said at least one optical element includes a prismatic element for directing illumination from said light source towards a target along said lower blade member, said illumination assembly being axially movable within said receiving cavity.

80. An apparatus as recited in claim 67, including means for adjusting the color of light emitted by said light source.

81. An apparatus as recited in claim 72, wherein said docking station includes a plurality of ports to enable a plurality of illumination assemblies to be recharged simultaneously.

82. An apparatus as recited in claim 67, wherein said illumination assembly includes means for dissipating heat developed by said assembly away from said speculum.

83. An apparatus as recited in claim 67, wherein said illumination assembly includes a heat sink.

84. An apparatus as recited in claim 67, wherein said receiving cavity defines at least one air gap for channeling heat away from said illumination assembly.

85. An apparatus as recited in claim 82, wherein at least a portion of said housing contains a phase change material.

86. An apparatus as recited in claim 84, wherein said receiving cavity includes at least one retention feature for retaining said illumination assembly, said retention feature including said at least one air gap.

87. An apparatus as recited in claim 67, including a speculum adapter attachable to said illumination housing, said speculum adapter having an external envelope that is sized to provide a close contacting fit with the interior of said receiving cavity and having an internal envelope that is sized to receive said housing.

88. An apparatus as recited in claim 67, wherein said at least one battery is retained within said housing.

89. An apparatus as recited in claim 67, including a power adapter attachable to said illumination assembly, said adapter including said at least one battery.

90. An apparatus as recited in claim 88, wherein said power adapter includes an auxiliary power supply.

91. An apparatus as recited in claim 90, wherein said auxiliary power supply is at least one other battery.

92. An apparatus as recited in claim 90, wherein said auxiliary power supply is an AC power supply.

93. An apparatus as recited in claim 88, including a power adapter attachable to said illumination assembly,

94. An apparatus as recited in claim 88, wherein said power adapter includes a body, said body having an end mechanically and electrically attachable to an end of said housing.

95. An apparatus as recited in claim 88, wherein said power adapter is tethered to said housing by an electrical cable.

96. An apparatus as recited in claim 67, wherein said handle portion is hollow, said receiving cavity being defined by the hollow interior of said handle portion.

97. An apparatus as recited in claim 67, wherein said illumination assembly includes a switch mechanism.

98. An apparatus as recited in claim 97, wherein said switch mechanism enables said light source to be automatically energized when said illumination assembly is inserted at least a predetermined distance into said receiving cavity.

99. An apparatus as recited in claim 98, wherein said switch mechanism is enabled for manual and automatic operation.

100. An apparatus as recited in claim 98, wherein said switch mechanism includes a switch member, at least a portion of said switch member being provided on the exterior of said housing.

101. An apparatus as recited in claim 99, wherein said switch mechanism includes a switch member, at least a portion said switch member being provided on the exterior of the housing, said switch member being movable to energize said contained light source when said housing is inserted at least a predetermined distance into said receiving cavity.

102. An apparatus as recited in claim 101, wherein said switch member is movable to a locked position such that automatic operation of said switch mechanism is disabled.

103. An apparatus as recited in claim 100, wherein said switch member is biased in an off position.

104. An apparatus as recited in claim 100, wherein said illumination assembly can be used as a separate examination light.

105. An apparatus as recited in claim 104, including means for locking the switch member in a predetermined position.

106. An apparatus as recited in claim 67, including a light pipe formed in an upper end of said receiving cavity, said light pipe being optically couplable to said illumination assembly.

107. An apparatus as recited in claim 106, wherein said light pipe includes a proximal end that is optically couplable to said illumination assembly and a collecting lens that is a portion of said proximal end.

108. An apparatus as recited in claim 107, wherein said collecting lens is supported on a pedestal section formed as part of said proximal end.

109. An apparatus as recited in claim 106, wherein said light pipe includes a distal end that is arranged within the lower blade member through which light from said coupled illumination assembly is emitted towards a target, said distal end being contoured.

110. An apparatus as recited in claim 109, wherein said distal end is formed with a curvilinear surface.

111. An apparatus as recited in claim 109, wherein said distal end is formed with an angled surface.

112. An apparatus as recited in claim 67, wherein said receiving cavity includes at least one retention feature for retaining said illumination assembly therein.

113. An apparatus as recited in claim 112, wherein said at least one retaining feature is used for aligning said illumination assembly relative to said receiving cavity.

114. An apparatus as recited in claim 113, wherein said receiving cavity of said handle portion is wholly enclosed, except at an open bottom end.

115. An apparatus as recited in claim 114, wherein said at least one retention feature includes a pair of grooves disposed on opposing internal sidewalls of said receiving cavity.

116. An apparatus as recited in claim 113, wherein said illumination assembly can be disposed in one or more rotational orientations about a primary axis thereof within said receiving cavity.

117. An apparatus as recited in claim 116, wherein said illumination assembly can be disposed in a first rotational orientation and a second rotational orientation about a primary axis of said illumination assembly, said second rotational orientation being 180 degrees spaced from the first rotational orientation.

118. An apparatus as recited in claim 114, wherein said illumination housing includes an upper portion and a base portion, said upper portion being sized to fit entirely within said receiving cavity and in substantial close contacting engagement with the interior of said receiving cavity and in which said base portion extends therefrom.

119. An apparatus as recited in claim 118, including a disposable sheath member sized to be fitted onto said extending base portion.

120. An apparatus as recited in claim 119, wherein said disposable sheath member includes a frangible tear strip to enable release of said sheath member.

121. An apparatus as recited in claim 118, wherein said apparatus is defined by a working length, as measured between a bottom surface of said extending base portion and the most proximal bottom portion of the lower blade member that contacts the patient, in the range of approximately 3 inches to 6 inches.

122. An apparatus as recited in claim 67, wherein said handle portion is defined by a substantially uniform rectangular cross section, said handle portion having a width to depth aspect ratio in the range of approximately 1.25:

1 to 3;

1.

123. A vaginal speculum apparatus comprising:

an upper blade member;

a lower blade member including a handle portion having a receiving cavity; and

an illumination assembly attached to said speculum through said receiving cavity, said illumination assembly including a housing and a contained light source that includes at least one LED.

124. An apparatus as recited in claim 123, wherein said illumination assembly is tethered to a non-portable power supply.

125. An apparatus as recited in claim 124, wherein said non-portable power supply is an AC power supply.

126. An apparatus as recited in claim 123, wherein said illumination assembly includes means for receiving at least one battery as a power supply for said at least one LED.

127. An apparatus as recited in claim 123, wherein said at least one LED is a white LED.

128. An apparatus as recited in claim 123, wherein said illumination assembly includes a switch mechanism for selectively energizing said at least one LED.

129. An apparatus as recited in claim 128, wherein said switch mechanism includes a switch member, at least a portion of said switch member being disposed on an exterior portion of said housing.

130. An apparatus as recited in claim 129, wherein said illumination assembly includes at least one battery contained in said housing for powering said at least one LED and in which said illumination assembly can be used separately as an examination light.

131. An apparatus as recited in claim 130, including means for selectively moving said switch member to a locked position.

132. An apparatus as recited in claim 129, wherein said switch mechanism automatically energizes said at least one LED when said illumination assembly is inserted at least a predetermined distance into said receiving cavity.

133. An apparatus as recited in claim 132, wherein said switch mechanism enables automatic and manual operation of said at least one LED.

134. An apparatus as recited in claim 133, including means for moving said switch member to a locked position, said locked position disabling automatic operation.

135. An apparatus as recited in claim 123, wherein said receiving cavity includes at least one retention feature for retaining said illumination assembly.

136. An apparatus as recited in claim 135 wherein said at least one retention feature coacts with said switch mechanism to automatically energize said at least one LED when said illumination assembly is inserted at least a predetermined distance into said receiving cavity.

137. An apparatus as recited in claim 136, wherein said at least one retention feature permits alignment of said illumination assembly within said receiving cavity.

138. An apparatus as recited in claim 137, wherein said illumination assembly can be aligned in at least one or more rotational orientations about a primary axis of said illumination assembly.

139. An apparatus as recited in claim 126, wherein said at least one battery is retained within said housing.

140. An apparatus as recited in claim 123, including means for attaching said illumination assembly to an auxiliary power supply.

141. An apparatus as recited in claim 126, wherein said at least one battery is retained within a power adapter attached to said housing.

142. An apparatus as recited in claim 140, wherein said auxiliary power supply is contained in a power adapter attachable to said housing.

143. An apparatus as recited in claim 141, wherein said power adapter is tethered to said assembly housing.

144. An apparatus as recited in claim 141, wherein said power adapter includes a body having an end that is directly mounted to an end of said housing.

145. An apparatus as recited in claim 123, including a speculum adapter attachable to said illumination assembly, said speculum adapter including an external envelope that provides a substantial close contacting fit with the interior of said receiving cavity and an internal envelope that is sized to receive said illumination assembly, thereby simplifying mechanical attachment of said illumination assembly to said receiving cavity.

146. An apparatus as recited in claim 123, including a light pipe disposed in an upper end of said receiving cavity, said at least one LED being optically couplable to a proximal end of said light pipe.

147. An apparatus as recited in claim 146, including a collecting lens that is formed as part of the proximal end of said light pipe.

148. An apparatus as recited in claim 147, wherein said collecting lens is supported on a pedestal section formed as part of said proximal end.

149. An apparatus as recited in claim 146, wherein said light pipe includes a distal end that is arranged within the lower blade member through which light from a coupled illumination assembly is emitted towards a target, said distal end being contoured.

150. An apparatus as recited in claim 149, wherein said distal end is formed with a curvilinear surface.

151. An apparatus as recited in claim 149, wherein said distal end is formed with an angled surface.

152. An apparatus as recited in claim 123, wherein a portion of the housing of said illumination assembly is fitted in substantial close contacting engagement with the interior of said receiving cavity, said illumination assembly including a base portion that extends outwardly from said handle portion when installed in said receiving cavity.

153. An apparatus as recited in claim 152, wherein the working length of the apparatus, as measured between a bottom surface of said extending base portion and the most proximal bottom portion of the lower blade member that contacts the patient, is in the range of approximately 3 inches to 6 inches.

154. An apparatus as recited in claim 152, including a disposable sheath member sized to be fitted onto said base portion.

155. An apparatus as recited in claim 154, wherein said disposable sheath member includes a frangible tear strip to enable release of said sheath member.

156. An apparatus as recited in claim 139, wherein said at least one battery is rechargeable.

157. An apparatus as recited in claim 156, including a docking station having recharging circuitry for charging said at least one battery.

158. An apparatus as recited in claim 157, wherein said illumination assembly includes a low-power battery indicator.

159. An apparatus as recited in claim 123, wherein said handle portion is defined by a substantially uniform rectangular cross section, said handle portion having a width to depth aspect ratio in the range of approximately 1.25:

1 to 3;

1.