Hegenberger Speculum
An innovative device made to improve post-partum suturing.
Designed by a midwife, this tool assists clinicians in performing post-partum operations, providing both better ergonomic working conditions for the clinicians and less pain for the new mother. It’s somewhat mind-boggling to learn that this problem has not been addressed from a design perspective for over a century and half! The impact of the solution touches both the health and social dimensions for the mother, and enables the medical staff to do better work. The new design replaces the harsh metal speculum with smooth silicone, alleviating pain for the patient and increasing the visibility while suturing, allowing the clinician to work with both hands free instead of needing one hand to create view of the tear and suture area. Given how many operations are performed, this is an important solution that could have a high level of positive impact.