Personal
On Disobedience
Scene
I paint first and think afterwards
Moment Behind
Work
Vaginal Speculum
CAD of Cystoscope
F1-Tenth
SimCLR Development
Algea Bloom Monitoring Based on ML
Bio
What is It?
The vaginal speculum is a common medical tool used in gynecological exams. Its main purpose is to gently open the vaginal canal so doctors can check the vagina, cervix, and uterus, enabling smoother procedures like check-ups, sample collection (such as Pap smears), and minor surgeries. Speculums are typically made of metal and have two or three "bills" that open inside the body. Some popular styles include the Graves, Collin, Pederson, Avard, and Cusco.
Most speculums on the market are made of stainless steel or plastic. However, many of them are complex in design and expensive to manufacture.
In the medical device field, stainless steel is an excellent material choice. However, its metallic shine and texture can be uncomfortable and invasive, which may cause anxiety in patients.
This new design focused on three main needs:
1) a non-scary look.
2) single-hand operation.
3) easy to disassemble for cleaning and sterilization.
The mood board draws inspiration from rounded table corners, the adjustable settings on a hairdryer, and ratchet mechanisms.
Sketch
The sketch started with a simple locking structure, using a ratchet-like mechanism to secure the opening angle of the speculum, with a sliding control for locking and release.
CAD Model
Draft Analysis
Here’s the draft design, where most parts have passed a draft analysis to keep manufacturing costs low and production stable.
FEA Analysis
In the FEA test, I anchored the base of the main section and applied a downward force of 10 pounds on the far end, showing a minimum safety factor of 3.14, which meets safety standards.
Mitral Valve Ring