Frick Specula — Pattern and Clinical Use
A cow will crush a tube between its molars, and a hand placed in the mouth is at real risk. The Frick speculum is a smooth stainless tube inserted over the tongue to the back of the mouth, through which a stomach tube or bolus can pass safely. It protects both the tube and the operator, which is why it is standard equipment for treating bloat and administering oral medication.
Both ends must be fully rounded and polished, since the speculum is passed blind over the tongue and against the pharynx. Any edge causes trauma at exactly the point the operator cannot see.
Frick Specula Variants and Specifications
Standard Frick speculum patterns.
| Variant | Specification / use |
|---|---|
| Adult cattle, ~45 cm | Standard herd use |
| Calf pattern, shorter | Scaled bore and length |
| Wide bore | Passage of larger stomach tubes |
| Rolled and polished ends | Atraumatic blind passage |
| 316L construction | Corrosion resistance and easy cleaning |
| Bore sized for balling guns | Bolus administration |
Material, Finish and Quality Control
We forge Frick specula from 316L austenitic stainless. Both ends are rolled, polished and inspected, because the speculum is passed blind over the tongue and against the pharynx. Each batch passes Rockwell hardness testing, dimensional checks on end rolling and polish, and visual inspection under our ISO 13485 system before passivation and final finishing. Mirror and satin finishes are both available — satin is usually specified where glare under operating lights is a concern.
Who Sources Frick Specula From Surgical Star
Frick specula sell to cattle veterinary distributors and dairy and beef producers, and are a long-life item usually bought alongside stomach tubes and balling guns.
OEM, Certification and Ordering
Every Frick specula can be produced as a private-label line: your logo laser-marked on the tube, your catalog numbers, and your own printed packaging, manufactured from your drawings or a reference sample. Production runs inside a documented ISO 13485 quality system, with CE marking under EU MDR 2017/745 and US FDA establishment registration behind it. Your shipment carries a certificate of conformity plus the ASTM F899 material certificate for the grade actually used.
Minimums stay deliberately low so a new brand can launch without a heavy first order, and pricing is quoted direct from the factory on volume tiers. Bulk production usually takes four to six weeks from sample approval, shipped DDP with export paperwork and HS codes handled. See how OEM & private label works →
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Frick speculum for?
It is passed into a cow’s mouth so a stomach tube or bolus can be delivered without the animal crushing the tube or injuring the operator’s hand.
Why must the ends be rolled?
It is passed blind over the tongue toward the pharynx. Any sharp edge causes trauma exactly where the operator cannot see.
Is there a calf size?
Yes, shorter with a smaller bore, scaled for calves rather than adult cattle.
Can you manufacture these under our own brand?
Yes — full OEM and private label. We laser-mark your logo and catalog numbers, pack in your branded boxes, and work from your drawings, tech pack or a reference sample, with a pre-production sample approved before any bulk run.
Send your pattern list, drawing or a reference sample and we’ll quote MOQ, pricing and lead time — standard catalog or fully private-label.
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