JPS6040048A - Improved sanitary napkin - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to tampon-type sanitary napkins inserted into the vaginal cavity during the menstrual period and other types of tampons used in surgical procedures on other parts of the body. The tampon of the present invention suppresses or reduces the tendency of pathogenic microorganisms to cause toxin shock syndrome and dysmenorrhea.

Recently, the medical community has focused its attention on toxicity issues associated with tampon use. Generally, the problem is caused by Staphylococcus aureus infections in the vagina of menstruating women who use tampons.

Medical experts suggest many ways to treat the problem. These include discontinuing the use of tampons, discontinuing the use of tampons inserted using syringe-type mechanical devices, and/or alternating the use of insertable tampons. It will be done.

Vaginal infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus result in a condition known as toxin shock syndrome.

As a result of research to develop preservatives and related drugs, the inventors discovered that toxin shock syndrome is a common and harmless toxin produced by staphylococci that affects approximately 10% of the female population. It was concluded that this is caused by. These staphylococci can be found in the vagina, at the site of an injury to the nose or throat, or on the skin. Even if they are not present in the vagina itself, staph and other microorganisms can enter the vagina if the tampon becomes contaminated by the user at the onset of menstruation. The term tampon, as used herein, refers to an absorbent body that is used in any body cavity, such as the vagina, a lesion, or the like.

Furthermore, the inventors have determined that dysmenorrhea is associated with intravaginal and intrauterine infections, and that toxin shock syndrome and dysmenorrhea in many cases are both caused by the tampons of the present invention (all ranges that kill infection-causing bacteria), as described below. I learned that it can be prevented or reduced by taking in certain substances.

Blood, exfoliated tissue, and other materials present in the vagina during the menstrual period are an ideal medium for Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus commensal microorganisms. Tampons will encourage the growth of staph infections. As the infection progresses, toxins are produced, which are quickly absorbed into the small abrasions and other places where they can enter the vagina. These toxins will be absorbed into the vagina as well as the cervix and endometrium. The resulting condition is a toxin-induced shock syndrome.

According to the present invention, a reliable method for combating toxin shock syndrome is provided. The reliable method is achieved by adding additional methods such as vaginal douching, alternating the use of different types of feminine napkins or similar methods without changing the user's usual practice. In particular, a method of protection by including an anti-staphylococcal agent on the surface of the prior art tampon is integrated into the prior art tampon. If a mechanical device integrated with the tampon prior to use is used to insert the tampon, a preservative agent may also be applied to the mechanical device.

Referring to FIG. 1 of the present invention, a tampon 10, including a cylindrical tampon insert 12, is made from a layered or compressed absorbent fibrous fabric material 14.

The cylindrical insert itself has a domed end 16 of absorbent material and longitudinal ridges 18 in the fibrous material on the circumferential surface of the insert. Please refer to FIG. 2(a). These profiles increase the exposed surface area of the fibrous material, which in turn increases the absorbency of the cylindrical insert. A thread 20 several inches long is attached to or protrudes from one end of the cylindrical insert. This thread must be able to retain its strength when wet, since it will be subjected to pressure during use after it has been wetted.

The cylindrical insert is placed within a hollow cylinder 22 of larger diameter and length. The unthreaded end 24 of the cylindrical insert is close to one of the open ends of the hollow cylinder 22 when it is in place. The threaded end of the cylindrical insert is then necessarily placed at a position within the hollow cylinder without approaching the other end of the hollow cylinder. The hollow cylinder itself is made of a non-absorbable material, such as plastic, and the plunger 26, which fits snugly within the hollow cylinder, is also made of the same material.

The plunger insert is mounted within the end of the hollow cylinder not proximate the end of the cylindrical insert. Pusher 26 has a groove 27 which allows thread 20 to be pulled out of tampon 10. In its retracted position (as shown in Figure 1), the plunger insert is mounted with one end thereof proximate the distal end of a cylindrical insert placed in position within the hollow cylinder. In this position, the length of the plunger ends with the opposite end of the plunger protruding from the opening of the hollow cylinder not close to the distal end of the cylindrical insert.

The end of the plunger, which in its fully extended position (Fig. 2) was outside the end of the hollow cylinder, is brought closer to the end which, in the retracted state, projects from the end of the hollow cylinder. . The end of the plunger, which was placed in the hollow cylinder in the retracted state, is brought close to the other end of the hollow/linder.

The outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical insert, the inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the hollow cylinder, and the exposed surface of the plunger are all coated with a povidone-iodine formulation. Its PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidone) formulation is polyvinylpyrrolidone (
PVP) powder and approximately 10 grams of dry powdered iodine. PVP is of interest only as a holding medium for dry iodine. Other substances capable of retaining iodine are therefore also used. Furthermore, other elements that are more or less similar to iodine can be substituted.

This formulation, or other formulations like it, can be in powder form and can be added to the suspending medium of water or pond. It may be cloudy. When suspended in water, a suitable solution is made using about 10% by weight of the formulation. Furthermore, the formulation is used in gelatinous form. One way to obtain such gelatin is to use one of the commercially available gelatins or coatings and incorporate nitrofurazone.

PVP of various molecular weights can be used to provide preservative formulations of varying preservative activity. The gelatinous form of this formulation is of particular value in the present invention because the gelatin is an effective vehicle for retaining the formulation on the surface of the cylindrical tampon insert.

When the formulation is used in liquid or gelatinous form,
Preferably, the article of the invention is hermetically sealed in a packaging container containing an excess of formulation. If the formulation is used in powder form, hermetically sealed packaging is not required. In the case of powdered formulations, it is sufficient to tightly wrap the product in cellophane packaging.

In manufacturing, the fibrous material is tightly compressed into a cylindrical shape. The material is compacted by dense rolling, weaving, or by applying other forms of pressure to the material.

PVP formulations or other similar formulations are applied to plunger inserts, cylindrical inserts, and hollow cylinders prior to or during assembly. Whether the formulation is in powder, liquid, or gelatinous form, it is applied to hollow cylinders, plunger inserts, and cylindrical inserts by several methods. P V I) The formulations may be sprayed or painted onto these parts, and the parts may also be rolled or dipped into the formulation. In either of these methods, excess formulation is used to compensate for losses due to unwrapping and handling immediately prior to use.

In the case of a powdered formulation, the tampon insert 12 creates a core 2 of absorbent fibers free of the formulation and extends from the fibrous body throughout which the formulation is well distributed to the circumferential portion of the tampon. 80 units are manufactured and assembled. In this way, the formulation is retained on the surface of the tampon.

With reference to FIG. 3, this is accomplished by bringing together two bundles of fiber strands 32 saturated with the formulation.

The second strand 32 is a fiber strand 36 that does not contain a compound.
is guided by a suitable mechanical guide device 34 so as to come into contact with it. Strand 86 is guided by guide device 38 to meet strand 32 . The guide device then wraps strand 32 around strand 36 and
The structure shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is provided.

A cylindrical insert and plunger are placed within the hollow cylinder. This is accomplished by inserting the plunger into the hollow cylinder from the opposite end of the hollow cylinder from the end into which the cylindrical insert was inserted.

Another method of assembly is to insert both the plunger and the cylindrical insert from the same end of the hollow cylinder. First the plunger is placed in position within the hollow cylinder. Then, from the same end of the cylinder, the threaded force end of the cylindrical insert is forced into the center of the hollow cylinder. At the same time, this forces the plunger into a suitably retracted position. Once this assembly is completed, the product of the present invention is immediately packaged. If the PVP or other preservative is in powder form, it is sufficient to wrap the article in cellophane-type packaging material. Excess powder may be enclosed within the package. If a liquid or gelatinous PVP formulation is used, it is desirable that the tampon according to the invention be hermetically sealed in an excess of the liquid or gelatinous PVP formulation.

In use, the article is removed from the packaging material or hermetically sealed container and inserted into the vaginal cavity. The end of the hollow cylinder that is closest to the cylindrical insert (the front end is the end that is inserted first; after the entire length of the hollow cylinder has been inserted into the vaginal cavity, the cylinder is normally This sliding of the plunger with respect to the hollow cylinder displaces the cylindrical insert from the forward end of the hollow cylinder.The cylindrical insert is completely withdrawn from the hollow cylinder and placed in position. Once removed, the hollow cylinder and plunger are removed from the vaginal cavity and discarded. The PVP formulation coated on the hollow cylinder, plunger and cylindrical insert is dispensed into the vaginal cavity. Antibiotics prevent bacteria from multiplying in the vaginal cavity, thus reducing the occurrence of toxins and toxin-induced shock syndrome. In this study, we found that the use of covered tampons, such as those described here, sometimes has troubling effects. These effects [generally known as Candida albicans (C.
It has been found that the growth of pathogenic or pathogenic microorganisms such as Andida albicafLs] is associated with the suppression of the normal organ microbial population by preservatives. It has been found that these effects can be minimized or eliminated by several methods, including the following.

1. Short period of time when the tampon of the present invention is not used in the vaginal cavity (1)
2. Intermittent use of the tampon of the invention at intervals of 2 hours); 2. Measured doses of an antiseptic formulation, such as 1 ml of polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine gel, applied to the surface of the tampon; 3. Yogurdopa. 4. Do not insert the present invention into the vagina while sleeping between the devices coated with a harmless suspension (containing microorganisms that do not cause clinical disease) such as 5. Limit the use of the invention product for a period of time not to exceed about 12 hours; Avoid.These include diabetics, people who have become severely weakened by the use of powerful anti-cancer drugs to treat cancer, people who have developed resistance due to a lack of antibacterial agents due to a birth defect; Includes similar people.

These tampons are also advantageous when used by women who do not exhibit toxic shock syndrome, but who exhibit dysmenorrhea or other diseases of the vagina or uterus. These treated tampons are suitable for use when a patient inserts a regular tampon or tampon-like object into a body cavity or at the site of an injury where an infection may have been caused or where the infection may be accompanied by injury or other disease sequelae. If it doesn't work out, it can be used to your advantage.

Instead of a formulation made only of PVP and iodine (in a suitable carrier with a preservative such as the commercially available 'POVIDONE'), different types of preservative, antibacterial , antifungal, antiviral, antiparasitic, or antibiotic compounds can be combined with the PVP.
Examples of substances that can be mixed with VP include mercury, zinc,
There is penicillinone or erythromycin. Another example embodiment is 2% nitrofurazone in a water-miscible liquid such as glycerin, cetyl alcohol, mineral oil, -T-)kylated fatty alcohol, methylparaben, or propylparaffin. Other similar formulations are made using other elements such as fluoride and bromide that are easily combined with polyvinylpyrrolidone. moreover,
Certain metallic materials, such as iron, can be magnetized to exhibit preservative properties. Similarly, certain radioactive substances commonly used for anti-cancer effects also exhibit preservative properties in the tampons of the present invention.

In summary, a wide variety of substances exhibiting antiseptic properties against a full spectrum of pathogenic microorganisms can be used intravaginally or in naturally existing body cavities or artificially produced by surgical or non-surgical (accidental) causes. It is incorporated into a tampon for insertion into a cavity created in the tampon.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The accompanying drawings are as follows: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tampon according to the invention; Figure 2 shows the insertion of the tampon of the present invention; or':)?
JE 2 (cL1 is a perspective view of a partial cross section of an absorbent tampon insert. FIG. 3 is a sketch showing a method of assembling the tampon of the present invention. Patent Applicant: Sitney M. Auerbatsno. outside 4
name) F44 of the drawing (no change in internal revision) Procedural amendment (method) February 1st, 1999 (Feb. 1999) Date of the fall of the Showa era νS 狛゛ Gan No. /V42-72 No. 6, Relationship with the case of the person making the amendment Applicant Address Request Seatney Lm Aqua ゛°, 4, Agent

Claims (1)

Claims: (1) A tampon comprising: (1) an elongated absorbent member comprised of an absorbent material having first and second ends; and a pathogen-killing substance incorporated on the surface of the absorbent member or in the material; . 2. The tampon of claim 1, wherein the absorbent member comprises a central core of absorbent material surrounded by a surround of absorbent material incorporating an antimicrobial agent or similar substance. (3) One of the first and second ends is rounded. (4) The absorbent member has a length of several inches attached to one end thereof. A tampon as claimed in claim 1, having threads, the threads being coated with an antimicrobial formulation to act as a debris removal means. (5) The absorbent member has a smooth surface. (6) The inner and outer surfaces of the tubular container are coated with an antimicrobial formulation or similar substance. A tampon according to claim 5, wherein the plunger is disposed within the tubular container at an end of the tubular container opposite the absorbent member and is axially aligned with the absorbent member. The tampon of claim 6. (8) The tampon of claim 7, wherein the plunger is coated with an antimicrobial formulation or similar material. (9) The antimicrobial formulation is Polyvinylvinycin as an absorbent
A tampon according to claim 7, consisting of a mixture of IJ tons and iodine as an antimicrobial agent, the antimicrobial agent dispersing from the cylindrical insert when the cylindrical insert is contacted with body fluids. (g) The tampon of claim 9, wherein the antimicrobial formulation includes zinc as an antimicrobial agent. (11) The tampon of claim 9, wherein the antimicrobial formulation includes mercury as an antimicrobial agent. (An antibacterial formulation contains penicillin as an antibacterial agent,
A tampon according to claim 9.