| CPC A61B 1/303 (2013.01) [A61B 1/00066 (2013.01); A61B 1/07 (2013.01); A61B 1/32 (2013.01); A61M 29/00 (2013.01); A61B 17/0293 (2013.01)] | 6 Claims |
|
1. A method of dilating a vagina for viewing a cervix during a pelvic exam comprising:
placing a first end of a flute of a speculum in a distal position inside the vagina with the speculum in a collapsed configuration,
moving a plurality of circular spines into an expanded configuration with the plurality of circular spines transverse to the flute of the speculum via an expander until a grip of the expander is circumferentially spaced relative to a grip of the flute, and
further expanding the speculum to a fully expanded configuration wherein the plurality of circular spines are spaced apart along the flute between the distal position and a proximal position near an opening of the vagina, the plurality of circular spines including at least a first circular spine spaced from a second circular spine and parallel to the second circular spine in the fully expanded configuration,
wherein the plurality of circular spines, the flute, and the expander counteract a compressive force of a vaginal wall of the vagina to retain the speculum in the fully expanded configuration, and
wherein the fully expanded configuration of the speculum allows viewing of the cervix while the plurality of circular spines are supported by the flute and the expander and while the compressive force of the vaginal wall of the vagina is being counteracted; and
moving the plurality of circular spines to the collapsed configuration to remove the speculum from the vagina,
wherein the plurality of circular spines are coaxial relative to each other in the collapsed configuration and in the expanded configuration.
|