Redesigning the Vaginal Speculum
(2020-2021)
Our team is focusing on redesigning the vaginal speculum, with the intention of making a product that improves patient comfort during pelvic exams. Speculums are tools used by gynecologists to widen the vaginal opening during pelvic exams and assist doctors in performing exams such as pap smears and cervical cancer screenings.
Speculums were not designed with patient comfort in mind -- the design originates from the 1840s and was initially tested on slave women, and there have not been substantial updates to the design in the years since. In addition, the materials currently used for speculums cause varying degrees of discomfort for patients during exams. At the moment, speculums are either made of metal or disposable plastic. Among other issues, patients frequently express that metal speculums cause discomfort because they are cold when they enter the vagina, which is an uncomfortable sensation. In addition, many plastic speculums make a loud ratcheting noise when inserted into the vagina, which is off-putting for patients. There are also multiple sizes of speculums in existence, and doctors must qualitatively determine which size to use on an individual patient, which can sometimes lead to discomfort if the chosen speculum is too large.
We intend to create an improved design for the speculum that eliminates these issues. Our speculum would be made of an alternate material and would be adaptable to different sized vaginas through gradual automated expansion, eliminating the qualitative judgment required by doctors. Ideally, this would also improve patient comfort as it would widen the vaginal walls more slowly, making the experience less daunting.
Speculums were not designed with patient comfort in mind -- the design originates from the 1840s and was initially tested on slave women, and there have not been substantial updates to the design in the years since. In addition, the materials currently used for speculums cause varying degrees of discomfort for patients during exams. At the moment, speculums are either made of metal or disposable plastic. Among other issues, patients frequently express that metal speculums cause discomfort because they are cold when they enter the vagina, which is an uncomfortable sensation. In addition, many plastic speculums make a loud ratcheting noise when inserted into the vagina, which is off-putting for patients. There are also multiple sizes of speculums in existence, and doctors must qualitatively determine which size to use on an individual patient, which can sometimes lead to discomfort if the chosen speculum is too large.
We intend to create an improved design for the speculum that eliminates these issues. Our speculum would be made of an alternate material and would be adaptable to different sized vaginas through gradual automated expansion, eliminating the qualitative judgment required by doctors. Ideally, this would also improve patient comfort as it would widen the vaginal walls more slowly, making the experience less daunting.
Team Member Bios
Rachel Brockman is a Junior studying biomedical engineering with a mechanical emphasis and a minor in computer programming. She is very passionate about improving equity healthcare and raising awareness for women’s health. She hopes to pursue a career in medical device development.
Kelly Wong is a Sophomore studying global health and is aiming to further women’s health with this project. She hopes to pursue a career as a physician. In her free time, Kelly loves baking and rewatching comedy shows.
Victoria Lawton is a Freshman studying biomedical engineering with a mechanical emphasis, and she wants to pursue a career in the medical device industry. Outside of academics, she enjoys baking, hiking, and yoga!
Kelly Wong is a Sophomore studying global health and is aiming to further women’s health with this project. She hopes to pursue a career as a physician. In her free time, Kelly loves baking and rewatching comedy shows.
Victoria Lawton is a Freshman studying biomedical engineering with a mechanical emphasis, and she wants to pursue a career in the medical device industry. Outside of academics, she enjoys baking, hiking, and yoga!