CN117597093A - Moon tube - Google Patents

Abstract

A menstrual tube is an intravaginal menstrual management device comprising a ring and a membranous tube. The membranous tube has an occluding device and can extend largely outside the vagina for extracorporeal drainage of menstrual blood. The ring may be of tubular or corrugated strip construction to facilitate lateral placement in the vagina. The inner surface of the ring may have grooves or depressions to facilitate folding. The distal opening of the tube may be thickened for ease of handling. The ring may be attached to the tube at an angle to facilitate removal. The present invention also provides a novel applicator having a detachable hook or gripping means and position markers to facilitate insertion and removal of the moon tube.

Description

Moon tube

Technical Field

The object of the present invention is menstrual management by a vaginal device. The device allows for the discharge of blood without the need to remove it.

Background

Menstrual cups are a common substitute for sanitary napkins and tampons for menstrual management. There are many different designs of menstrual cups on the market, the most typical of which is probably the 1935 Chalmer patent (US 2089113). Although menstrual cups have reusability and relatively good menstrual blood collection, they are generally too bulky to fit into the vagina even in the folded condition and require removal from the vagina to cause a mess when emptied of blood. On the other hand, although there is currently no new solution to the problem of menstrual cup volume, this problem can be partially solved by adding an evacuation handle, i.e. discharging menstrual blood without withdrawing the cup (US 5827248). However, in order to conveniently handle the evacuation handle for occluding and draining blood, the evacuation handle needs to protrude outside the vagina, which may cause discomfort between underpants and sensitive vulva and labia majora in a sitting position. Thus, the evacuation handle is typically short and hidden within the vagina, but this in turn makes handling difficult and prone to soiling. It also often has the problem of blood clot occlusion due to the small diameter of the evacuation handle. Accordingly, there is a need for a vaginal menstrual management device that is truly compact in size, convenient to place and remove, does not require insertion of a finger into the vagina, and is provided with means for draining and evacuating menstrual blood distally in vitro without removal.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a vaginal menstrual film management device, known as a menstrual tube, having a proximal flexible ring and a distally extending film tube outside the body. This novel design allows for the unique anatomy of the vagina and the need for easy insertion and removal of the device while ensuring that the device remains within the vagina during use. Because the ring is more difficult to remove when in a lateral position relative to the long axis of the vagina than when in a longitudinal position, the ring must be inserted and removed in a longitudinal position and placed in the vagina in a lateral position for menstrual blood collection. To achieve this, the present invention also discloses a novel applicator.

The flexible ring is substantially annular, allowing it to be radially compressed into a small double rod-like configuration, forming proximal and distal rings, which can be easily inserted and removed longitudinally of the vagina by use of a hollow cylindrical applicator. In the vagina, the ring springs open around the cervix to collect menstrual blood. Thus, in practice, the main volume of the present menstrual film tube is a ring, rather than a cup of menstrual cups.

The distal thin film tube is made of a thin, soft, relaxed and flexible latex or polymer material. It rests against the vaginal wall and directs blood to a location outside the body without removing the proximal ring from the vagina. Due to its light and soft texture, it can be comfortably placed between the external genitalia and the underpants. Unlike menstrual cups, the film tube may be plugged by folding, twisting, or lacing. A resealable thin film tube blocking device, such as a clip, rubber band, zipper, etc., may also be used to further enhance the thin film tube blocking to facilitate the discharge of menstrual blood when desired. In addition, the thinness of the present film tube allows the user to better perceive the filling level of the contents of the film tube as compared to the thick walls seen in menstrual cups, to alert the user to the need to discharge menstrual blood. The distal opening of the film tube can be used to remove the present menstrual tube by simple pulling, thereby avoiding the unhygienic fingers found in menstrual cups from handling in the vagina. To facilitate identification of the distal opening of the thin film tube, a reinforcing rim may be provided at the edge of the opening.

The ring may have several preferred designs, which may be an annular bar, a widened annular band or tubular band (as seen in a wrist band, for example), or a compressible bellows band. Widened bands may provide better anchoring within the vagina but may counteract this problem by making them accordion-like compressible due to the increased volume that results in difficulty in insertion and removal.

The thin film tube may take several shapes, one being a thin film tube having a single diameter. The other two are conical and funnel-shaped, both with a smaller distal diameter. In the case of a funnel shape, the distal smaller portion of the thin film tube may be located centrally or peripherally. In particular, pulling on the peripherally placed distal film tube can tilt the top of the ring so that it can be easily removed longitudinally (rather than laterally).

While the ring is typically aligned transversely to the film tube, it may be aligned at an angle to the film tube. The increase in angle increases the volume of the proximal portion of the tube and encourages the outer portion of the tube to tilt as it is pulled, thereby allowing it to be withdrawn longitudinally.

The invention also includes an applicator for aiding in the non-invasive placement and removal of a user having a young sexual activity and a small vaginal orifice. The applicator comprises a hollow barrel and a plunger. The ring can be compressed radially inward and fully or partially inserted into the barrel. The applicator is then placed into the vagina to reach the posterior cervical fornix, and the plunger is depressed to release the ring. By doing so, after the ring is sprung open, its proximal ring is placed in the posterior fornix, while the distal ring is anchored to the anterior cervical fornix or pubic region, thereby encircling the cervix and guiding all menstrual blood into the thin film tube.

The invention also comprises a small hook for taking out the moon tube. The hook is smaller than the barrel in diameter and can be attached to the tail end of the plunger by a suitable means (e.g., using screws), then the plunger is placed in the barrel, placed into the vaginal orifice, the hook is hooked to the distal ring of the ring and the plunger is pulled hard, the ring is pulled into the barrel, and the applicator is then easily removed from the vagina. The invention also includes the step of injecting marks on the barrel and plunger to facilitate visual and tactile identification of the orientation of the rings and hooks to properly insert and remove the present month canal.

Drawings

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a ring 1 with attached film tubes.

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a band-shaped ring 1a with attached film tubes.

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a corrugated ribbon ring 1b with attached film tubes.

Fig. 4 shows a front perspective view of the ring 1, which is located at the closed end 3a of the film tube 3. The proximal opening 2 of the membrane tube passes through the inner edge of the ring 1. The thin film tube is in a flat-laid state in the front-back direction.

Fig. 4.1 shows a perspective view of the same apparatus as in fig. 4, with the thin film tube laid flat sideways.

Fig. 4.2 shows a perspective view of the same device as in fig. 4.1, with the ring 1d, thereby creating a bulge at the proximal end portion 3c of the thin film tube 3.

Fig. 4.3 shows a perspective view of the same device as in fig. 4.1, wherein the distal end portion of the thin film tube 3b is closed and cut 3d to remove a portion 3e of the thin film tube.

Fig. 4.4 shows a perspective view of the same device as fig. 4.3, wherein the distal portion 3b of the thin film tube is a narrow thin film tube.

Fig. 4.5 shows a perspective view of the same device as in fig. 4.4, with the ring 1 tilted back to face upwards.

Fig. 5 shows a side view of the complete pop-up of the present moon tube in vagina 27, with ring 1 encircling cervix 23 and proximal portion 3c of the thin film tube collecting blood 26, thin film tube 3 being twisted to prevent blood leakage. The distal portion 3b of the thin film tube is placed outside the vagina.

Fig. 6 shows a side view 13 of the hollow cylinder.

Fig. 6.1 shows a perspective view of the hollow cylinder 13 with the markings 13c,13d and the hollow cylinder tail 13 b.

Fig. 7 shows a side view of the plunger 12.

Fig. 7.1 shows the label 12c.12d and plunger tail 12 b. One of which is provided for the attachment 12e of the hook 11 (fig. 7.2).

Fig. 7.2 shows a side view of the hook 11, as shown in fig. 7.1, for attachment to the plunger tail 12b by the hook 11a for introduction into the hollow barrel 13 by hooking the distal ring 1d of the ring 1.

Fig. 8 shows a side view of the distal ring 1d of the ring 1 pulled into the hollow cylinder 13 by the hook 11. Upon removal from the vagina, the thin film tube 3 is curled.

Detailed Description

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the menstrual tube comprises a ring 1 and a film tube 3 (fig. 1) with connections. When installed, the proximal ring 1 is compressed radially into a double rod shape. To facilitate compression, there may be two or more grooves or slots on the inner surface of the ring, such that folding occurs at weak points (grooves) on the ring. The ring 1 is placed longitudinally along the long axis of the vagina and once in place the wristband springs open creating tension between the ring 1 and the vaginal sidewall to ensure leak-proof containment of menstrual blood within the ring 1 and the film tube 2. Thus, the distal portion of the thin film tube 3 is left outside the vagina (fig. 8). By twisting the distal end portion 3b,4 of the thin film tube 3 (i.e. the portion outside the vagina) several turns, the proximal end portion 3c of the thin film tube 3 can be closed to contain blood and kept in the twisted position by the compression of the underpants. Since the film tube 3 is soft and thin, like a thin sanitary pad, it is hardly felt by the wearer. When the menstrual blood is emptied, the thin film tube 3 is loosened and straightened, so that the menstrual blood can be discharged away from the body, and the pollution to the blood in the hands, the external genitalia and the surrounding areas is avoided. Thereafter, the opening 4 may be wiped dry and the thin film tube 4 re-twisted to seal menstrual blood before the next evacuation. It should be noted that although film tube twisting is preferred, other methods of closing the film tube 3 may be used, such as straps, clips, or zipper locks. The distal edges of the openings 3b,4 may also be reinforced with loops to facilitate identification and distortion.

In another preferred embodiment (fig. 2), the ring 1 comprises an elongated tubular band structure 1a similar to the menstrual cup described above. The tubular band design of the ring 1a ensures that the present moon tube is placed along the long axis of the vagina. However, it suffers from drawbacks like a bulky menstrual cup, requiring so-called C-fold, U-fold, 7-fold or punch-fold for insertion and intravaginal manipulation and evacuation, due to its inability to fold into a similar rod-like structure. Nevertheless, since the distal end of the ring 1 of the present lunar canal is connected to the thin film tube 3, it has advantages of easy collection and discharge of menstrual blood without removing the device, and comfort of being placed between the external genitalia and underpants.

To solve the problem of bulkiness when inserting the tubular band 1a, while ensuring proper equipment placement, another embodiment of the invention (fig. 3) discloses a corrugated structure of the tubular band 1b, or an accordion-like structure, so that compression can be performed in the vertical direction and folding into a rod-like configuration in the horizontal direction for ease of insertion. The latter may also be assisted again by having two or more grooves on the inner surface of the ring.

In another preferred embodiment (fig. 4), the tube 3 is flattened into a two-layered film having a closed proximal end 3a and an open distal end 4. The ring 1 and its opening 2 are located on a piece of film at the proximal end 3a of the film tube 3. Because when the ring is in a position transverse to the vaginal axis there can be difficulties with removal which require manipulation with the fingers within the vagina. This design can be easily removed by simply pulling the distal portion 3b of the thin film tube to tilt the ring 1 to a longitudinal position. Furthermore, when placed into the vagina 27, the ring 1 will be in a lateral position, creating a posterior tubular bulge 3c to better receive blood 26 (fig. 5). The ring 1 can be manufactured at different angles relative to the pipe 3 according to the individual needs to achieve the above-mentioned effect.

In another preferred embodiment, a portion of the distal portion 3e is removed from the thin film tube 3 (fig. 4.3), thereby creating a smaller distal portion 3b for draining blood (fig. 4.4). When the ring is tilted laterally (fig. 4.5), more pronounced ridges 3c,3d are formed for collecting blood. The benefit of this design is that a smaller tube 3b is provided outside the vagina to increase comfort and make it easier to twist the tube (fig. 5). By using a suitable insertion technique in an applicator (see below), it is ensured that the opening 2 of the ring is always facing upwards, and leakage of menstrual blood 26 in the conduit 3c can be minimized.

To ensure that the device is able to collect blood 26 without leakage, the ring 1 must encircle the cervix 23. The present invention thus provides an applicator comprising a hollow barrel 13 and a plunger 12 to achieve a finger-free handling and painless insertion and removal into the vagina for use of the moon tube and to ensure that the ring 1 surrounds the cervix 23. In use of the applicator, the ring 1 is compressed and placed into the tail end 13b of the hollow barrel 13, while the distal portion 3b of the thin film tube 3 is suspended outside the hollow barrel (fig. 8). After placement of the applicator in the vagina, when the plunger 1 is not further placed, the proximal ring 1c of the ring 1 will inevitably become lodged in the posterior fornix of the cervix, while the distal ring 1d will become lodged in the anterior fornix or pubic region 25 (fig. 5) to perform its function of collecting blood.

In another preferred embodiment of the applicator, the hollow barrel 13 and plunger 12 each have their respective indicia (13 c and 13d;12c and 12 d) located at their respective flange and tail end (13 a and 13b;12a and 12 b). These marks indicate the direction of the ring opening 2, i.e. the opening 2 of the ring 1 must be placed into the hollow cylinder 13 for the mark 13b on the end of the hollow cylinder. When the applicator is in the vagina, the user can ensure that the collar 2 is correct with the indicia 13c of the hollow barrel flange facing upwards. I.e. if the marking 13c is facing upwards, the user can be sure that the stoma 2 will properly enclose the entire cervix when pushing in the ring 1.

For easier removal of the present moon tube, hooks or gripping means may be used to compress the ring 1 into a rod-like shape. The hook or device may be fixedly or removably attached to the applicator. In a preferred embodiment, the catch 11 is attached to the plunger 12 at an attachment hole 12e of the tail end 12b with the gap 11b facing the indicia 12d of the plunger tail 12b (fig. 7 to 7.2). To withdraw the present month canal, the applicator can be placed into the vagina, the distal ring 1d of the marker is faced forward to catch the ring 1 into the slit 11b of the hook 11, and the ring 1 is completely inserted into the hollow cylinder 13 by pulling the plunger 12 (fig. 8). Once the entire ring 1 is completely within the hollow cylinder 13, the applicator can exit the vagina without any finger manipulation of the bloody vagina. This feature may be particularly convenient for people with smaller vaginal apertures.

Claims (10)

1. An intravaginal menstrual management device comprising

-a substantially annular soft ring at the proximal end

A thin film tube at the distal end, which can extend outside the vagina.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the ring may have two or more depressions or grooves.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the distal opening of the thin film tube has a soft edge reinforcement collar.

4. According to claim 1, wherein the ring may be tubular.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the ring is corrugated.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the thin film tube has an occluding device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the ring is attached to the tube at a pitch.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the thin film tube has a tapered opening at a central or peripheral location.

9. An applicator comprising a hollow barrel and a plunger. The cartridge has two to four markings thereon: one at the flange of the hollow cylinder and one at the tail end of the hollow cylinder; optionally, a marker may be placed at each of the flange of the plunger and the trailing end of the plunger.

10. An applicator according to claim 9, the plunger having a fixed or removable catch or gripping means at its trailing end.