Dutch Researchers Revolutionize Gynecological Care with Gentler Speculum Design
In a groundbreaking step toward patient-centered healthcare, two Dutch researchers from TU Delft have developed a modern alternative to the traditional gynecological speculum—one that prioritizes patient comfort, dignity, and innovation. The device, named Lilium, is inspired by the elegant shape of a flower and represents a long-overdue redesign of a tool that has remained virtually unchanged for over 150 years.
The traditional "duck-bill" speculum, while essential for gynecological exams, is widely known for causing discomfort, anxiety, and even trauma—particularly for survivors of sexual assault, individuals with chronic pain conditions like endometriosis, or patients navigating gender dysphoria. With the Lilium, researchers aim to make these vital exams not only more tolerable but also more respectful of patients' emotional and physical well-being.
Developed by design engineers Janina Dahinden and Lotte de Raadt as part of their studies at TU Delft in the Netherlands, the Lilium is made from biocompatible materials and features a sleek, petal-like structure. Unlike the traditional metal speculum, which opens with sharp, mechanical force, the Lilium blooms open gently, minimizing pressure and discomfort during insertion and examination.
The creators of the Lilium speculum undertook extensive user research and testing with real patients and healthcare professionals to refine the design. Their user-first approach aligns with a growing movement in medicine that demands more compassionate, inclusive tools—particularly for gynecological procedures where outdated equipment contributes to widespread fear and avoidance of care.
“We wanted to challenge the notion that discomfort is just something women have to put up with,” said Dahinden in an interview with TU Delft. “There is no reason why we shouldn't design medical tools with empathy at the core.”
The Lilium has garnered attention not only for its function but also for its symbolism—reimagining a medical device that has long evoked fear and vulnerability into something soft, gentle, and beautiful. Though still in development and awaiting widespread clinical adoption, Lilium is a promising leap toward improving the standard of care for millions.
For patients with endometriosis, where pelvic exams can be excruciating due to inflammation, nerve involvement, and tissue scarring, such innovation could be transformative. Tools like Lilium have the potential to encourage more patients to seek care earlier, helping reduce diagnostic delays and dismantle the stigma and trauma so often associated with pelvic health.
As the healthcare industry grapples with equity and patient-centered reform, the Lilium speculum is a symbol of what’s possible when design meets empathy.
ReferencesBrightVibes Media. (2025, June 25). Instagram post on Lilium Speculum. Retrieved from: https://www.instagram.com/brightvibesmediaTU Delft. (n.d.). Student project reimagines gynecological speculum. Retrieved from: https://www.tudelft.nlDahinden, J., & de Raadt, L. (2023). Lilium: Redesigning the speculum with empathy. TU Delft, Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering.Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. (2020). “Speculum Use and Discomfort in Gynecological Exams: A Patient-Centered Perspective.” JMIG, 27(6), 1281-1286.
