For an updated project description, click on the following link for the Project Readiness Package.

Currently, the design of the speculum is a source of fear and nervousness for patients who need to receive a vaginal exam. The common speculum used by OBGYN's is the duckbill metal speculum . Cold and intrusive, the device causes the patients to tense up, making the procedure difficult for the examiner and the experience more stressful for the patient.

Our client Dr. Jaeger proposes a solution which will alleviate the processs for the examiner and minimize anxiety for the patient. The new solution uses an endoscope to examine the vagina, with the help of a redesigned tampon-sized speculum. This shortens exam time, decreases intrusiveness for the patient, and improves the overall patient/ examiner experience.

Some of the problems to resolve with this device is the unnecessary distention of the pelvic floor musculature and associated discomfort and sense of intrusion. The new speculum is innovative in that it requires endoscopy for routine pelvic examinations and also includes the option of colposcopy. It also allows for better exposure of the vaginal fornices.

The goal for the MSD team is to design and prototype a new speculum device which addresses the above needs which alleviate patient anxiety and concerns, under the guidance of Customer Dr. John Jaeger.

Project Name

Innovative Speculum Redesign

Project Number

P20051

Project Family

Biomedical and Assistive Devices

Start Term

Fall 2019

End Term

Spring 2020

Faculty Guide

Sarah Brownell, sabeie@rit.edu

Primary Customer

Dr. John Jaeger

Sponsor (financial support)

Rochester Regional Health System

Planning & Execution

Project Photos and Videos

Imagine RIT

Gate Reviews

Problem Definition

Systems Design

Preliminary Detailed Design

Detailed Design

Build & Test Prep

Subsystem Build & Test

Integrated System Build & Test

Customer Handoff & Final Project Documentation (Verification & Validation)

PRP

Requirements

Schedule

Cost

Risk Management

Problem Management

Communication & Minutes

Use Cases

Benchmarking

Functional Decomposition

Morphological Chart

Pugh Concept Selection

BOM

Mechanical Drawings

Electrical Schematics

Software Diagrams

Facility Layout

Manuals

Mockups

Test Fixtures

Prototyping

Test Plans

Analysis Results

Simulations

Test Results

Design Review Documents

Technical Paper

Poster

Imagine RIT Exhibit