Abstract: A method of collecting participant replies into a database residing on computing devices. The participant replies provide information of particular interest about the participant. The replies are provided in response to questions selected by an overseer. The questions are grouped into question sets; each question set addressing a particular aspect of information being sought. The question sets are further grouped into lists of the question sets determined by an overseer in accordance with the participant replies, wherein each participant is assigned a list. The invention establishes data paths over communication networks for communicating the questions and replies. For each participant a next question in the list is determined based on the participant's previous replies. The determined next question is communicated to the participant via the data path and the replies are communicated back from the participant via the data path.

Abstract: An improved vaginal speculum includes a lower blade member having a straight segment, a curved portion, and a hollow leg portion. The speculum also includes a slide member, an upper blade member rotatably and slidably movable relative to lower blade member, and a light pipe extending from the hollow leg toward the straight segment of the lower blade. The light pipe is adapted to direct light from a light source positionable within the leg, into a region under examination. The upper blade is provided with a smoke evacuation passage formed by a U-shaped channel member positioned adjacent a contoured interior surface of the upper blade member. The U-shaped channel member is provided with a forward end, a rearward end, a bottom surface, and a pair of opposed side walls each having a top edge shaped to fit snugly against the contours of the interior surface or retaining walls formed thereon.