US2485939A - Rectal dilator - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 25, 1949.

A. c. T EDFORD RECTAL DILATOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 2, 1948 Fig.8. $799,

Addingfan C. Tedford INVENTOR,

Oct. 25, 1949.

A. .c. TEDFORD RECTAL DILATOR Filed Feb. 2, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 m m m m Patented Oct. 25, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

This invention comprises novel and useful improvements in a rectal dilator and more specifically constitutes an improvement over the construction set forth in my prior application Serial No. 598,851, filed June 11, 1945, and now Patent No. 2,443,207.

The principal object of this invention is to provide an improved rectal dilator.

An important feature of the invention resides in the provision of a medical instrument which shall be of compact and durable construction, easily adjusted and manipulated in its intended functioning, which may be readily disassembled for cleaning its various components; and is with all highly eflicient for the purpose intended.

These, together with various ancillary objects and features of the invention which will later become apparent as the following description proceeds, are attained by this device, a preferred embodiment of which has been illustrated by way of example only in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective View showing the device in its closed position;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure l but showing the device in its open or dilated position;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view showing the device in its closed position;

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially upon the vertical plane of the section line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of one of the dilator arms of the device;

Figure 6 is an end elevational view of a spring forming an element of the invention;

Figure 7 is a side elevational view of the spring of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is an end elevational view of an actuating cam for spreading the arms of the dilator;

Figure 9 is a vertical transverse sectional view through the cam of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a rear end elevational view of the device as shown in Figure 1; and

Figure 11 is a front elevational view of the invention as shown in Figure 1.

Referring now more specifically to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, it will be seen by particular reference to Figures 1, 2, 4 and 10, that the dilator includes a body portion having a central hub portion l0 which is axially and longitudinally bored as at l2, and which is provided with a plurality, in the embodiment shown three sets of radially disposed lugs l4 integrally extending from the hub l0.

The sets of bifurcated lugs [4 are connected at their front ends with the hub portion ID by integral webs it which are sector-shaped. Pivotally mounted within the bifurcated portion of each of the radially extending lugs l4, as by means of pins it are the rear terminal portions 20 of the dilator arms indicated generally 22. The front ends of these arms are tapered to a point as indicated at 24 and adjacent the rear ends are smoothly curved to merge into the terminal portions 28 as shown in Figures 4 and 5. The outer surfaces of the arms 22 are so curved that in the closed position of the device as shown in Figures 1 and 11, an elongated body is provided which may be readily inserted into body cavities for expanding the same as set forth hereinafter.

It will be particularly noted that the rear ends of each of the arms 22 are provided on their inner surfaces with an inclined frame surface 26 which is inclined with respect to the longitudinal aXis of the device, and which terminates in a shouldered portion 28. The inclined surfaces 26 provide means which are engageable by a cam as so set forth hereinafter, for positively urging the arms to their open position.

As will be seen by reference next to Figure 4, a spring means is provided for normally urging the arms to their closed position. This spring means, whose construction is shown in Figures 6 and 7, consists of an annular central portion 30, provided with integral, angularly, outwardly and radially extending arms 32, one such arm being provided for each of the terminal portions 20 of the members 22. As will be seen, a central portion 3|], provided with an axial opening 34 for a purpose to be later set forth, is disposed in abutting engagement with the inner end of the hub portion ill, with the spring fingers or arms 32 positioned between the hub l0 and the inner surface of the extensions or terminals 20 of the members 22. The end portions of the spring members 32 are positioned as shown in Figure 4, outwardly of the pivot point It of these members, whereby the spring tension resiliently urges each of these members into its closed position. An adjusting screw consisting of a shank 36 slidably received in the bore I2 0f the hub IE], is provided with a finger grip portion or knob 38 for rotating the screw. The inner end of the screw is provided with a screw threaded portion 48 receivable with.. in the cavity between the surface 26, which screw threaded portion engages a screw threaded bore 42 formed axially in a triangularly shaped cam member 44 which cam member as shown in Figures 7 and 8 is provided with bevelled cam edges 46, for engagement with the corresponding cam surfaces 26. It will thus be seen that as the finger grip portion 30 is caused to rotate the shaft 36, the threaded portion 40 causes an inward movement of the cam nut 44, whose bevelled surfaces 46 engage the surfaces 26 and upon longitudinal movement of this cam causes spreading or distending of the member 22 against the opposition of the spring fingers 32.

It should be here noted that the threaded portion 40 of the stem 36 is of greater diameter than the latter, as well as of greater diameter than the aperture 34 in the spring seat 30 through which the shaft 36 extends, and also a greater diameter than the bore l2. Consequently, the shaft 36 is prevented from being rearwiardly withdrawn or forced through the bore l2 during rotation of the screw actuator.

The device may readiy be assembled by in serting the shank 36 through the bore 34! of the n seat 30 and then through the bore l2 of the core E0, whereupon the finger grip portion 38 is then applied thus securing the screw rotatably but nonreciprocatingly in the core. The cam nut M is then engaged upon the screw threaded portion 40, the extension 20 of the members 22 are then placed between the bifurcated lugs H3 and secured thereto by insertion of the pins 18, whereupon the device is ready for use.

From the foregoing, it is believed that the manner of constructing and operating the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary.

However, since numerous modifications and equivalents will readily occur to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the principles of the invention as set forth in the foregoing specification and accompanying drawings, it is not intended to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described; but all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A dilator for cavities of the human body comprising a hub, a plurality of radial slotted lugs thereon, webs connecting the outer portion of the inner ends of said lugs and said hub, a plurality of dilator arms having smoothly curved exterior surfaces and pivoted at their rear ends in said slots, a single spring engaging said hub and each of said rear ends and resiliently urging said arms to their contracted position and a cam engaging inclined surfaces on said arms for causing opening of the dilator arms.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said spring comprises a base seated on the webs' of said hub and positioned between the rear ends of said arms, radially and angularly inclined resilient fingers on said base, said fingers engaging said rear ends of said arms.

3. The combination of claim 2 including a screw journalled in said hub and extending through and positioning said base, said cam comprising a nut rotatable on said screw and cam surfaces on said nut engaging inclined surfaces.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein the threaded portion of said screw is of greater diameter than the aperture of said spring base to prevent withdrawal of said screw therethrough.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said nut is polygon with as many sides as there are dilator arms, each of said sides having a beveled edge forming an actuating cam for each dilator arm.

ADDINGTON C. TEDFORD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 237,032 Mayer Jan. 25, 1881 765,879 Campbell July 26, 1904 997,907 Dewees July 11, 1911 1,342,025 Mallove June 1, 1920

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