Development of a Speculum-Free Liquid Applicator for At-Home Cervical Cancer Screening

Erica Skerrett1, Mercy Asiedu, Megan Richards2, John Schmitt, Nimmi Ramanujam

  • 1Duke University
  • 2Duke Center for Global Women's Health Technologies

Details

12:15 - 14:15 | Wed 20 Nov | Upper Foyer Balcony | A1P-E.10

Session: Poster Session - Early Detection of Disease or Toxicity 1

Abstract

To address barriers to cervical cancer screening and discomfort caused by the speculum, we previously developed the Callascope—a speculum-free vaginal inserter and camera for comfortable, at-home cervical cancer imaging. However, the inserter’s small channel, designed for comfort, has prevented easy application of contrast solutions that may elucidate lesions, which clinicians regularly apply to the cervix using a large cotton swab through the speculum. Therefore, to expand the diagnostic capabilities of the Callascope, we designed a compatible liquid atomizer that stains the entire cervical epithelium without the use of a speculum.