Sleeve for speculum and use thereof

Abstract

An accessory sleeve and a method for use is provided. The accessory sleeve includes a cylindrical sleeve body. The cylindrical sleeve body includes an outer surface, an inner surface, the inner surface defining a hollow sleeve channel, and at least one open end. The sleeve body is configured to receive an insertion portion of a medical speculum in the hollow sleeve channel, and the sleeve body is further configured to expand from a first state to a second state.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sleeve accessory for use with a medical speculum, comprising:
 a cylindrical sleeve body comprising an outer surface, an inner surface, the inner surface defining a hollow sleeve channel, and at least one open end;   wherein the sleeve body is configured to receive an insertion portion of a medical speculum in the hollow sleeve channel; and   wherein the sleeve body is configured to expand from a first state to a second state.   
     
     
         2 . The sleeve accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve body has a uniform diameter from a distal end to a proximal end when in the first state. 
     
     
         3 . The sleeve accessory of  claim 2 , wherein the uniform diameter of the sleeve body is between 0.5 and 2.0 inches when in the first state. 
     
     
         4 . The sleeve accessory of  claim 1  wherein the insertion portion comprises an upper bill and a lower bill and wherein the sleeve body is configured to expand to the second state as a space between the upper bill and the lower bill is increased. 
     
     
         5 . The sleeve accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve body is disposable. 
     
     
         6 . The sleeve accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve body comprises one or more of the following to assist with adherence of the sleeve to the insertion portion: gripping elements positioned on the inner surface of the sleeve body, ribbed details, and a texture difference on the inner surface. 
     
     
         7 . The sleeve accessory of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more petals, for conforming the sleeve to the speculum, positioned on an open end of the sleeve body. 
     
     
         8 . The sleeve accessory of  claim 1 , further comprising a pocket configured to secure the sleeve to the speculum by tucking the pocket over a top edge of the speculum. 
     
     
         9 . The sleeve accessory of  claim 8 , wherein a perforated edge is situated on a body of one of the petals, and wherein the pocket is formed by breaking the perforated edge. 
     
     
         10 . The sleeve accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve body has a length of at least 50% of a total length of the insertion portion. 
     
     
         11 . The sleeve accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve body is made of a rubber or a plastic material. 
     
     
         12 . The sleeve accessory of  claim 11 , wherein the rubber or plastic material is one of a polyisoprene, a polyurethane, a thermoplastic polyurethane, a styrene copolymer, and a thermoplastic elastomer. 
     
     
         13 . The sleeve accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve body is coated with at least one of a lubricant, a powder, a surface texture, a bioactive agent, and a therapeutic agent. 
     
     
         14 . The sleeve accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one open end is edged with a ridged finish. 
     
     
         15 . The sleeve accessory of  claim 14 , wherein the ridged finish is formed from one of a rolled bead edge, a ring rolled into the sleeve body and cured, a dip in a material of the sleeve body, and a dip in a secondary material attached to the sleeve body. 
     
     
         16 . The sleeve accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve body is made of a transparent material to allow visibility through the sleeve body. 
     
     
         17 . The sleeve accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve body comprises an open proximal end and a closed distal end. 
     
     
         18 . The sleeve accessory of  claim 17 , wherein the closed distal end further comprises an aperture. 
     
     
         19 . The sleeve accessory of  claim 1 , wherein a delivery cartridge is configured to contain the sleeve body for application to the medical speculum and cover at least a portion of the outer surface of the sleeve body when in the first state. 
     
     
         20 . The sleeve accessory of  claim 19 , wherein the delivery cartridge is made of a rubber, plastic, or cardboard material. 
     
     
         21 . The sleeve accessory of  claim 19 , wherein the delivery cartridge contains a plurality of sleeves. 
     
     
         22 . The sleeve accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve accessory is packaged in a single-product package. 
     
     
         23 . The sleeve accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve accessory is packaged in a compressed form. 
     
     
         24 . A kit comprising:
 a speculum comprising a handle and an insertion portion, the insertion portion comprising an upper bill and a lower bill coupled to the handle; and   a sleeve accessory comprising:
 a cylindrical sleeve body comprising an outer surface, an inner surface, the inner surface defining a hollow sleeve channel, and at least one open end; 
 wherein the sleeve body is configured to receive the insertion portion of the speculum in the hollow sleeve channel; and 
 wherein the sleeve body is configured to expand from a first state to a second state. 
   
     
     
         25 . The kit of  claim 24 , further comprising a plurality of speculums, varying in length, width, and expansion capabilities. 
     
     
         26 . The kit of  claim 24 , further comprising a plurality of sleeve accessories, varying in length and width. 
     
     
         27 . A method of preparing a speculum for a medical procedure, the method comprising:
 providing a sleeve accessory, the sleeve accessory comprising
 a cylindrical sleeve body comprising an outer surface, an inner surface, the inner surface defining a hollow sleeve channel, and at least one open end, 
 wherein the sleeve body is configured to receive a pair of bills of a medical speculum in the hollow sleeve channel, and 
 wherein the sleeve body is configured to expand from a first state to a second state; and 
   positioning the sleeve body over the pair of bills of the speculum.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising:
 providing a delivery cartridge configured to contain the sleeve body for application to the speculum;   wherein positioning the sleeve body comprises positioning the delivery cartridge containing the sleeve body over the pair of bills of the speculum; and   removing the delivery cartridge from the pair of bills, leaving the sleeve body over the pair of bills.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the sleeve accessory is provided in a compressed form, and wherein positioning the sleeve body comprises uncoiling the compressed sleeve accessory. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the sleeve accessory comprises a pocket positioned at one open end, and wherein positioning the sleeve body comprises sliding the pocket over a portion of the speculum to secure the sleeve accessory on the speculum. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the pocket is formed by breaking a perforated edge situated on a body of a petal positioned on the one open end. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising:
 inserting the speculum into the vaginal cavity of a female patient;   separating the pair of bills to dilate the vaginal cavity, wherein separating the pair of bills causes the sleeve body surrounding the bills to expand to the second state around the pair of separated bills; and   performing a gynecology procedure on the female patient.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , further comprising:
 closing the pair of bills;   removing the speculum from the vaginal cavity; and   removing the sleeve body from the pair of bills.   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the gynecology procedure is one from a group consisting of: a pelvic examination, Pap smear, an IUD insertion or removal, an insemination, an STI testing, a tissue collection, and a biopsy. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the gynecology procedure is an electrosurgery, and wherein the sleeve is configured to provide insulation to protect vaginal walls of the patient during the electrosurgery. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the sleeve body is made of a transparent material to allow visibility during the procedure. 
     
     
         37 . A method of performing a vaginal examination or medical procedure on a patient, comprising, providing a speculum device comprising a sleeve; inserting the speculum with the sleeve into the vagina of the patient; and performing the examination or medical procedure. 
     
     
         38 . A method of minimizing side wall encroachment or pinching in a vaginal examination or procedure, comprising, providing a speculum device comprising a sleeve according to one or more of the embodiments in the specification; inserting the speculum with the sleeve into the vagina of the patient such that side wall encroachment is minimized, reduced or avoided, or such that pinching of sidewall tissue is reduced, minimized or avoided during use of the speculum device for an examination or medical procedure.