Abstract: In apparatus for detecting first and second conditions in the vagina or urethra, the combination comprising an elongated carrier insertible endwise into the vagina; first structure at a first location on the carrier for use in detecting the first condition, and second structure at a second location on the carrier for use in detecting the second condition, portions of first and second structures being inserted into the vagina or urethra, by manipulation of the carrier, and to be subsequently withdrawn, for use in detecting conditions.

Abstract: The method of detecting pathogenic bacteria, which includes providing a moisture receiver, onto which moisture containing an amine or amines is receivable, the amine or amines associated with the presence of pathogenic bacteria; providing a reactant which changes color upon contact with the amine or amines, and contacting the reactant with moisture at the receiver, whereby a change in color at the receiver indicates the presence of pathogenic bacteria in moisture.

Abstract: In the method for detecting pH of vaginal or urethral moisture, the steps that include providing an elongated first carrier; providing a pH detector on the carrier at an end portion thereof; manipulating the carrier to effect exposure of the detector to vaginal or urethral moisture, thereby to cause the detector to exhibit a color change; and providing a pH correlating color comparison measurement means, in sufficiently close association with the carrier and with the detector to allow visual comparison of the changed color exhibited by the detector with a pH correlated color provided by the measurement means.

Abstract: In the method of determining need for human estrogen replacement therapy or estrogen or estradiol dose change, the steps include determining local acidity proximate a moist wall surface of the vagina, or urethra, as differing from desired threshold level (pH 4.5), and administering sufficient estrogen or estradiol to result in change in acidity toward such level.

Abstract: In the method of detecting pathogenic bacteria in the vagina, the steps that include providing an elongated assembly including an elongated carrier and a flexible outer container supported on the carrier; providing a vaginal moisture absorbing or porous material swab at one end of the assembly to communicate with the interior of the outer container; providing a frangible inner container protectively located within the outer container, and providing a flowable aqueous alkaline fluid reactant within the inner container, bending or exerting pressure on the outer container sufficient to rupture the inner container; thereby releasing reactant into the interior of the outer container to enable reactant fluid flow to the swab or porous material, for reaction with bacteria containing vaginal moisture absorbed into the swab or porous material, whereby a gaseous product of the reaction may be detected, by characteristic odor.

Abstract: In the method of applying screening or treatment fluid to the cervix, vagina, or other genital tissues, the steps include providing an elongated assembly including an elongated carrier and a flexible outer container supported on the carrier; providing a fluid applicator at one end of the assembly to communicate with the interior of the outer container; providing a frangible inner container protectively located within the outer container, and providing screening or treatment fluid within the inner container, exerting pressure on the outer container sufficient to rupture the inner container, thereby releasing the screening or treatment fluid into the interior of the outer container, enabling fluid migration to the applicator, and manipulating said assembly to cause the applicator to apply screening or treatment fluid to the cervix, vagina, or other genital tissues.

Abstract: In the method of determining need for human estrogen or estradiol level change, the steps include determining local acidity proximate a moist wall surface of the vagina, as differing from desired threshold level, and administering sufficient estrogen or estradiol to result in change in acidity toward such level.

Abstract: In the method for detecting pH of vaginal moisture, the steps that include providing an elongated first carrier; providing a pH detector on the carrier at an end portion thereof; manipulating the carrier to effect exposure of the detector to vaginal moisture, thereby to cause the detector to exhibit a color change; and providing a pH correlating color comparison measurement means, in sufficiently close association with the carrier and with the detector to allow visual comparison of the changed color exhibited by the detector with a pH correlated color provided by the measurement means.

Abstract: In the method of determining need for human estrogen replacement therapy or estrogen or estradiol dose change, the steps include determining local acidity proximate a moist wall surface of the vagina, as differing from desired threshold level (pH 4.5), and administering sufficient estrogen or estradiol to result in change in acidity toward such level.

Abstract: The method of measuring pH of vaginal moisture, which includes providing a pH indication, color comparison measurement, and swabbing structure on a carrier stick; manipulating the stick between its opposite ends, to obtain pH indication of vaginal moisture at one end of the stick; visually interpreting that indication to also obtain pH measurement of such moisture near that one end of the stick; again manipulating the stick between its opposite ends, including endwise reversing it, to swab the vaginal cavity in the area from which pH indication was obtained; and disposing of the stick, whereby disposition of the pH indication, measurement and swabbing structure is thereby obtained in one disposal step; including providing pH indication means in the form of a strip on the one end of the stick; and providing a smooth surface protective tip facing endwise at one end of the stick.

Abstract: A control syringe is provided for fine needle aspiration of biopsy tissue. An aperture through the barrel of the syringe is located at a rearward position of the barrel. A low pressure created in the barrel by withdrawing the plunger is broken by withdrawing the plunger past the aperture. Thereafter, the plunger may be pushed forward of the aperture so that collected tissue may be discharged by moving the plunger forward. A detent attached to the plunger holds the plunger in its rearward position until released. The detent comprises a plastic member with an outwardly biased shoulder for engaging the rearward end of the barrel. Such a detent is released by pressing it towards the plunger.

Abstract: In the method of detecting pH of vaginal moisture, the steps that include providing a pH detection structure on a carrier stick; providing a protective porous layer adjacent the pH detection structure; manipulating the stick to obtain pH detection of vaginal moisture; and including allowing vaginal moisture to penetrate the porous layer for contact with the pH detection structure, and visually observing the detection structure.

Abstract: A uterus maneuvering apparatus comprising a lengthwise elongated boom, and a strut carried at one end of the boom to be pivoted relative to the boom, the strut and boom adapted to be inserted via the vaginal canal to locate the strut to project in the uterine cavity; actuator structure associated with the boom and strut for effecting controlled pivoting of the strut and worm gear mechanism through which drive to effect said pivoting is effected. Control structure may be provided for controlling the actuator structure, and including a servo system having an extra-corporeal manual control structure, for coupling between the manual control structure and actuator structure, the coupling including electrical signal transmission structure.

Abstract: A uterus maneuvering method involving the use of a lengthwise elongated boom, and a strut carried at one end of the boom to be pivoted relative to the boom, the strut and boom adapted to be inserted via the vaginal canal to locate the strut to project in the uterine cavity; actuator structure associated with the boom and strut, manipulable for effecting controlled pivoting of the strut; and control structure manipulable for controlling the actuator structure, and including a servo system having an extra-corporeal manual control structure, for coupling between the manual control structure and actuator structure, the coupling including electrical signal transmission structure.

Abstract: The method of measuring pH of vaginal moisture, which includes providing a pH indication, color comparison measurement, and swabbing structure on a carrier stick; manipulating the stick between its opposite ends, to obtain pH indication of vaginal moisture at one end of the stick; visually interpreting that indication to also obtain pH measurement of such moisture near that one end of the stick; again manipulating the stick between its opposite ends, including endwise reversing it, to swab the vaginal cavity in the area from which pH indication was obtained; and disposing of the stick, whereby disposition of the pH indication, measurement and swabbing structure is thereby obtained in one disposal step.

Abstract: A flow-controlling tampon, comprising a generally upright elongated sheath structure having an open upper end and a closed lower end, the upper end sized to fit about the cervix an inner, elongated, flow-control tube extending generally upright within the sheath, the tube having an upper open end to receive flow via the upper open end of the sheath, and the flow-control tube having lower opening structure to pass flow from the tube into the lower interior of the sheath to gradually collect upwardly from the lower interior of the sheath, and about the control tube.

Abstract: A control syringe is provided for fine needle aspiration of biopsy tissue. An aperture through the barrel of the syringe is temporarily covered with a flexible impervious pressure sensitive adhesive tape. A low pressure created in the barrel by withdrawing the plunger is broken by peeling the tape from the barrel. Thereafter, the tape may be replaced over the aperture so that collected tissue may be discharged by moving the plunger forward. A ratchet and pawl arrangement on the syringe holds the plunger in its rearward position until released. One ratchet and pawl comprises a plurality of ratchet teeth along at least one rib of an X-shaped cross section of the plunger and a pawl on the rearward end of the barrel for engaging the ratchet teeth. Such a ratchet is released by rotating the plunger.