3D printed speculum

Project data
Type
Authors Nick Plahn
Status
Years 2019
Made Yes
Replicated No
Cost USD 0.65

3D printed parts are able to be rapidly produced at low cost making them ideal for disposable medical equipment. In areas where advanced medical equipment or lack of space for sanitizing existing equipment the 3D printer is the next best option. The speculum designed can be used for several different applications in the human anatomy all based on the scale and infill printed at. This speculum takes a different design that current production models to eliminate the need for pivot hardware or large joints. The open jaw design allows for greater operating and inspection area.

Bill of Materials

  • PLA plastic- $0.40
  • Electricity- $0.25
  • Total cost- $0.65 depending on size

Speculum files and code

Tools needed

  1. MOST Delta RepRap or similar RepRap 3-D printer

Skills and knowledge needed

  • Basic assembly skills required. All slip fit joints.

Technical Specifications and Assembly Instructions

  • Print time estimate of 4 hours
  • Assembly time estimate of 1 minute
  • Print all 4 parts pictured below

  • Slide square connector onto bottom of both LH and RH legs

  • Slide square connector up to the base of LH and RH cylindrical base

  • Insert pivot cylinder into rounded inside edges shown

  • Slide square connector between ridges over center of pivot cylinder as shown

  • Completed assembly

Common Problems and Solutions

  • Tolerance on printer is important as parts are slip fit

Cost savings

  • 75% cost savings compared to $2.66

commercial variant

Benefited Internet Communities

BMJ Open source medical harware Openrms Opensource Health Awesome Healthcare GIThub

References

Speculum reference material

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Page data
Authors Nick Plahn
License CC-BY-SA-3.0
Organizations MTU, Michigan_Tech's_Open_Sustainability_Technology_Lab, MY4777
Cite as Nick Plahn (2019–2025). "3D printed speculum". Appropedia. Retrieved November 28, 2025.