1. An apparatus for insertion into a port in a speculum, comprising:
(a) a male insertion member that:
(i) is elongated, having a proximal end and a distal end,
(ii) is sized to fit within a port in a speculum, and
(iii) has at least one sloped element on its outer surface which slopes upwardly from the distal end of the male insertion member toward its proximal end; and
(b) attachment means coupled to the male insertion member for at least one of accepting or attaching to a surgical tool,
wherein the sloped element creates a secure fit with the inner surface of the port when the male insertion member is inserted into the port.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the attachment means comprises a tube-like structure for inserting a surgical tool.
3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the male insertion member functions as a guide member for guiding at least one of: light, airflow, fluid or a surgical instrument.
4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the guide member is for guiding light.
5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a distal end of the guide member from which the light emerges is cut at an angle so as to bend the light toward the center of the speculum.
6. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the guide member comprises a hollow tube.
7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the male insertion member is comprised of plastic.
8. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the male insertion member functions as a guiding means for guiding at least one of: light, airflow, fluid or a surgical instrument.
9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the guiding means is for guiding light.
10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a distal end of the guiding means from which the light emerges is cut at an angle so as to bend the light toward the center of the speculum.
11. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the guiding means comprises a hollow tube.
12. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the male insertion member has a non-circular cross section that matches the non-circular cross section of the port of the speculum, thereby preventing inadvertent rotation of the male insertion member in the port.
13. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the male insertion member has at least two sloped elements on its outer surface, each sloping upwardly from the distal end of the male insertion member toward its proximal end.
14. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the at least two sloped elements are distributed at least approximately uniformly around the circumference of the male insertion member.
15. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sloped element slopes significantly more gradually from the distal end of the male insertion member than from its proximal end.
16. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the secure fit created by the at least one sloped element is a friction fit.
17. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the secure fit created by the at least one sloped element is a snap fit.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. An apparatus for using a handheld device comprising: a body configured to conform to only one digit of a user; and a member connected and substantially perpendicular to the body adjacent to the digit, wherein said member is movable along a circumferential track to be oriented over a number of different angles with respect to the body by moving said member along a curved surface of said body; wherein bringing said member into contact with the handheld device transfers force from the digit to the handheld device.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the member can be used to perform on the handheld device a gesture, typing, tapping, pressing, writing, drawing, painting, switching, sliding, texting, selecting, inputting, holding, or combinations thereof.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said member is removable or replaceable.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said member is relocatable.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said member is rotatable or pivotable.
6. An apparatus for aiding in the use of a hand-held device where the hand-held device includes responsive activation areas comprising:
a body, said body including a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end including an aperture means for receiving only a portion of a digit of a user and where said body also includes an inner surface and an outer surface;
at least one activation member, said activation member being disposed on said outer surface of said body and extending away therefrom, said at least one activation member shaped and adapted to transfer force to a responsive portion of a hand-held device including having a cross sectional size of =<0.5 mm;
said body inner surface being adapted to conform to at least one digit of a users’ hand, said body including a slot adapted to receive said at least one activation member such that said at least one activation member is movable from a first position to a second position:
whereby
said body is placed over at least one digit of a users’ hand conforming to the at least one digit and said activation member is used to activate responsive activation areas on the hand-held device.
7. The apparatus according to claim 6 at least one digit is selected from the group of thumb, index finger; middle finger, ring finger and pinky finger.
8. The apparatus according to claim 6 where said body is composed of a flexible material.