US424140A - Anal speculum - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.) 4

' A. SHUFORD.

. ANAL SPBGULUM.'

Patented Mar. 25,

N. Pneus. Phewmmgmpm. wn-hangw". n, c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

QUINCY ADAMS SHUFORD, OF TYLER, TEXAS.

ANAL SPECULUM.

.SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 424,140, dated March 25, 1890.

Application filed Iannary 23,1890. Serial-No. 337,869. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern/.-

Be it known that I, QUINCY ADAMS SHU- FORD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Tyler, in the county of Smith and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Anal Speculums; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear,

. and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention has relation to anal speculums; and it consists in the construction and novel arrangement of parts, as hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the appended claims.

The objects of my invention are, iirst, to so construct the several parts that there will be no rough or raised edges to interfere with its insertion in the anal passage; secondly, to so construct my improved speculum that it may be readily used as a bi-valve or dilator; thirdly, to form a locking-joint on the meeting edges of the shells forming the speculum, whereby the sections are prevented from overlapping` each other to avoid pinching or injury to the Vwalls of the anal passage Vwhile the instrument is being inserted; fourthly, to provide a plug for my improved speculum, whereby the contour of the outer surface of the speculum is maintained.

In the drawings, Figure l is a top view of my improved speculum; Fig. 2, a top "view showing the instrument as a loi-valve or dilator; Fig. 3, a side viewof my improved speculum; Fig. 4f, a detail view of the plug; Fig. a transverse section on the line x x of Fig. 2; Fig. 6,a transverse section of a slight modification of my improved speculum.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals indicate corresponding parts in all the figures, l and 2 designate tapering semi-cylindrical shells out away on their upper edges for about two-thirds of their length to form an elongated fenestra 3, terminating at its outer end in an elliptical form somewhat wider than the fenestra. At the bases of the shells are formed flangesll and 5, which, while serving as a strengthening-brace to hold the shells, which arc `constructed of thin metal, to their proper curve, serves also as a guard or shield to prevent the hair from interfering with the operator.

6 indicates a handle U-shaped in form, the legs '7 of which are made integral with or secured in any desired manner to the flanges. This handle, which is constructed of material having considerable spring, serves to hold the shells, as shown in Fig. l.

In order that my speculum may be readily used as a bi-valve or dilater, I employ a thumbscrew S, which passes through a threaded opening in a lug 9 on one leg of the handle and has its opposite end reduced in diameter,

and passes through an opening l() in alug ll on the opposite leg of Ithe handle.

As my improved speculum is made in two sections, and as there would be liability of the edges of the shells lapping one another and injuring or pinching the walls of the anal passage during its insertion, I form alock on the .meeting edges of the shells, as follows: At the junction of the iiange 4 with the shell l, at the top and bottom thereof, dowels l2 and 13 are placed, designed to enter suitable registering openings la in the flange 5.

To allow the speculum to be painlessly inserted in the anal passage, the apices of the shells l and 2 are given a slight curve upward, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

In order that the fenestra may be closed and a uniformexterior surface be presented to my speculum, I'employ a tapering plug l5 of the contour of the interior of the speculum, the forward end of which is chamfered oif to correspond with the elliptical opening at the end of Athe fenestra. The plug is provided with a suitable handle l6,by means of which it may be readily withdrawn from the speculum when the latter has been inserted in the anal passage. The meeting edges of the shells are slightly rounded, as well asthe edges of the fenestra and elliptical opening, whereby all danger of cutting the walls of the anal passage is overcome.

In Fig. 6 I have shown a transverse section of a modified form of constructing the lock, which is as follows: The edges of the shells from the fenestra to the flanges are made a little thicker, and on one shell is formed a IOO tongue designed to enter a the opposite shell.

The operation of my improved specnlum, which can be readily used as a bi-valve or dilater, taken in connection with above description,will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

Harin thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

l. The tapering' senii-cylindrical shells cut away at their upper edges to form a fenestra, the forward part of which is elliptical in shape, and provided at their base with a flange and connected by a U -shaped handle, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with the tapering semicylindrical shells eut away at their upper edges to forni a fenestra, and provided at their base with a flange united bya U-shapedhangroove formed in dle,of a lock formed on the meeting edges of the shells, substantially as described.

3.- In a combined spcculum and bi-valvc or dilater, the combination, with the tapering semi-cylindrical shells cutaway attheir upper edges to forni a fencstra, el. a lock formed on the meetingl edges of the shells, said shells having their apices bent upward and provided at their base with a iiauge and united by a U-shaped handle, the thumb-screw passing` through a threaded opening in a lug formed on one leg of the handle and havinga bearing' in a perforated lug on the opposite leg of the handle, substantially as described.

In testimonywhereof I aiiixmysignaturein 35 presence of two Witnesses.

QUINCY ADAMS SIIUFORD, Witnesses:

L. M. II. WALKER, N. C. HARRIS..

Images