Patents by Inventor Theresa Spruill

Theresa Spruill has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5545122
    Abstract: A speculum comprises a pair of elongated blades having elongated hollow bills therein. Each bill is at least partly covered by a flexible expandable bladder. One or more ports communicate between the interior of each bill and the interior of the bladder. Gas lines are connected to each bill for supplying compressed gas to a valve to each bill to expand each bladder. A second valve can be activated for deflating each bladder. For use, the speculum blades are inserted into a body cavity and the bladders inflated to gently expand the body cavity. Blades can then be moved apart to perform an examination. When the examination is completed, the blades are moved toward each other and the bladders are deflated before the blades are withdrawn from the body cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Inventor: Theresa Spruill