Is called Lilium And it will be the new ally of women in terms of gynecological visits. It is one Speculum Innovative that will allow you to face specific less painful tests (invented by two women …).
It was time, considering that most of us have an intimate and stressful experience with the traditional vaginal speculum (for almost 200 years), the infernal metal or plastic gadget used to analyze the vaginal canal and cervix of a woman. A devices so intrusive that it ends up that, often, many women refer necessary exams.
Although the pelvic tests are fundamental for the health of women, in fact, the tools used for them have not evolved much: the vaginal speculum – often described as “duck beak” – has remained more or less the same since 1840.
To remedy this, Ariadna Izcara Gualgraduated from Tu Delft, and the researcher Tamara Hoveling They designed Lilium, who promises to be the turning point for patients, health workers and also for the environment.
I hope that this design is reasons to undergo a health control, says Ariadna. The project is now looking for partners to carry out innovation.
Where Lilium is born, a flower and not a “duck beak”
According to data, about 30-35% of women feel shame, fear or pain related to the exams of the uterine cervix. This in turn leads to postpone or even avoid regular checks. One of the causes is the Speculum itself, confirms Ariadna Izcara Gual in its degree projects at the TU DELFT, Faculty of Engineering of the industrial design:
The women I interviewed indicate to try pain in the insertion and even removal of the device, of that ‘pistol’ shape, of the feeling of cold and discomfort.
That’s why Ariadna, together with the rapporteur Tamara Hoveling, designed this new vaginal speculum, with another material and another form.
Lilium is in fact made in TPV rubber semifleable for medical usewhich gives him the mechanical resistance to resist the pressure of the vaginal walls and the flexibility of opening the blades, or “petals” (Liulium, in fact, has the shape of a flower). It consists of two main parts: a three -shaped three petals and a delicate tube mechanism to separate the petals for the exam.
The form of the flower serves to promote patient psychological comfort, it is a well -known form.
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The preliminary tests speak of unanimous preference for Lilium compared to the traditional model. Eight patients and seven health workers (including five nurses and two doctors) have tried it and the verdict was a better visibility of the cervix – especially in obese patients with a folding wall where traditional duck beak tools labor – and a much more comfortable experience overall.
Lilium is also more ecological than existing tools. With only two parts (compared to nine of many standard speculums), it is easier to clean, sterilize and reuse.
Finally, Lilium offers patients two insertion options: self -limbedas if it were a swab, or the insertion by a health professional.
The first option can make patients feel safer, Ariadna says.
The project has already received the Young Medical Delta Thesis Award and is now looking for partners to carry on.
