An Innovative Design for the Vaginal Speculum.

INTRODUCTION

The main objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a newly designed vaginal speculum, the , in-vitro. The setting of this study was at Florida International University and involved four senior students in the Department of Biomedical Engineering.

METHODS

A phantom vaginal model was used to test three variables of the (Visibility, Pressure and Gynecologic Tools tests). As this was bench-lab testing with simulated models, no human participants were involved in this study.

RESULTS

The results of this in-vitro study are as follows: The demonstrated statistically better visualization of the cervix and the cervical os (sampling area for pap tests) with the over the existing 2-bladed speculum at all intrapelvic pressures; The demonstrated an equal radial distribution of force, without breakage, across the ; The demonstrated that the is compatible with the existing speculum and standard gynecologic tools in terms of retrieving samples and accessing the cervical os and entire cervix during gynecologic procedures and screening.

CONCLUSION

The gynecologic screening and procedural value of this innovative change in the design of the vaginal speculum could save hundreds of thousands of lives every year, provide a more comfortable exam for the patient, and result in a more efficient and user-friendly provider experience.