Reimagined Tenaculum

Abstract

The tenaculum is a tool used in gynecological procedures, such as IUD insertion and biopsies, to stabilize the cervix. The current tenaculum, modeled after a Civil War-era device used to extract bullets from bodies, is often associated with significant pain, tissue damage, and bleeding. Salura Health’s project aims to eliminate discomfort and tissue trauma while maintaining proper device functions, prioritizing a design that is both affordable and easily integrated into healthcare systems. The redesigned tenaculum introduces an approach that emphasizes safety, comfort, and usability. The system features looped handles for easier clinician grip, a central pivot joint, a force-limiting spring, atraumatic-tip clamp arms, and optional lidocaine-eluting pads to further improve patient comfort.

Unlike the traditional, sharp tips, the reimagined design incorporates a flat, pad-like interface that distributes pressure on the cervix more uniformly, reducing tissue penetration and pain. The device is stabilized by the locking mechanism seen on the current tenaculum, allowing consistent grip without excess force. Optional lidocaine-eluting pads can be attached to the tips to numb the cervical tissue, providing additional pain relief at the patient’s request. By retaining structure and operation similar to the traditional tenaculum, the device minimizes the need for extensive additional clinician training and easier adoption within existing clinical workflows. Additionally, maintaining a structure similar to the traditional tenaculum keeps manufacturing scalable and cost-effective while avoiding complex regulatory barriers for the novel device. As a
result, the device is expected to remain comparable in price to current tenacula (approximately $50).

Constructed from durable, reusable materials, the design maintains affordability and aligns with sustainability in medical practices. By focusing on patient-centered innovation, the reimagined tenaculum aims to modernize a historically painful device, improving patient comfort and overall experience in gynecological care.

The device is currently still in the testing and ideation iteration phase.

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