Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
  • A61F6/00—Contraceptive devices; Pessaries; Applicators therefor
  • A61F6/06—Contraceptive devices; Pessaries; Applicators therefor for use by females
  • A61F6/08—Pessaries, i.e. devices worn in the vagina to support the uterus, remedy a malposition or prevent conception, e.g. combined with devices protecting against contagion

Definitions

• the present invention relates generally to conception devices for females and, more particularly, to an improved cervical cap with a hanging loop for removal.
• sperm concentration at the cervical Os which is the area connecting the uterus and the vaginal cavity.
• Sperm concentration significantly increases the probability of conception, as fewer sperm are needed to effect fertilization since a higher number reach the uterus in tact. Since these sperm travel a shorter distance, a higher proportion remain viable upon reaching the uterus. In cases of low sperm counts or poor motility, this is particularly effective.
• the present invention provides an improved cervical cap which overcomes the aforementioned problems. Due to its novel construction, the cervical cap of the present invention allows for the easy removal of the cervical cap by a woman upon completion of fertilization.
• the present invention relates to a cervical cap which is positioned over a female's cervix to increase the chances of successful fertilization and allow for easy removal by the female.
• the present invention provides a cervical cap having a thin-walled, flexible, and pliant dome with an integrally-molded flexible retaining rim. In position, the flexible, form-assuming dome of the cervical cap conforms to the exocervical surface to closely fit the surface upon contact. Due to its thinness and applicability, the dome of the cap will continue to adhere to the surface of the cervix until removed. Adherence of the dome to the cervix is further facilitated by the moist cervical surface.
• the improved cervical cap of the present invention further includes an elongated string of elastomeric material attached at the apex of the dome portion of the cap and culminating in a loop for easy removal of the cap.
• the loop hangs outside of the vaginal cavity by way of the elongated string, thereby making it possible to remove the cap without making an insertion into the vaginal cavity.
• FIG. 1 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of a cervical cap of the present invention
• FIG. 2 is a top elevational view of the cervical cap
• FIG. 3 is a sectional view, taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2;
• FIG. 4 is a side view of an alternate preferred embodiment cervical cap of the present invention.
• FIG. 5 is a sectional view, taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4.
• a preferred embodiment of a cervical cap with an elongated string of elastomeric material of the present invention is illustrated and indicated generally by the numeral 10.
• cervical cap 10 comprises a flexible, thin, form- assuming dome 12, an apex portion 14, a base portion 16, and an annular rim 18.
• Dome 12 is generally thimble-shaped, with base portion 16 inwardly tapering toward apex portion 14. The outer diameter of rim 18 is greater than that of base portion 16 of dome 12.
• Cervical cap 10 further includes an elongated string of elastomeric material 20.
• Elongated string 20 includes a first end 22 and a second end 24, where first end 22 is connected to apex portion 14 and second end 24 is connected to a loop 26.
• the first and second ends may be molded to the apex portion and loop, respectively, or alternatively, attached as separate components.
• Loop 26 is intended to remain outside the vaginal cavity when cap 10 is positioned over the cervix.
• annular rim 18 has an inner surface 28 and an outer surface 30. Thin, gripping finger 32 projects upwardly and outwardly, as finger 32 is integrally- formed with inner surface 28.
• Finger 32 also defines an upper portion of a notched indentation 34 as viewed in FIG. 3.
• Annular rim 18 contains at least two gripping fingers 32 that are directly opposite or symmetrically opposed from each other along inner surface 28. However, it will be appreciated to one skilled in the art that more than two fingers could be employed.
• Fingers 32 effectively grip and hold cervical cap 10 over the cervix in order to prevent semen from entering the cervical canal.
• Gripping fingers 32 and notched indentation 34 essentially provide the effect of a Chinese finger puzzle by gripping the side walls of the cervix and holding the cap when the circumference of the rim 18 is fitted around the cervix and slightly expands. Cervical cap 10 is fixed in place by the use of gripping fingers 32 rather than merely by suction or surface viscosity.
• an alternate embodiment of the present invention provides a cervical cap 110 comprising a flexible, thin, form- assuming dome 112, an apex portion 114, a base portion 116, and an annular rim 118.
• Dome 112 is generally thimble-shaped, with base portion 116 inwardly tapering toward apex portion 114.
• the outer diameter of rim 118 is greater than that of base portion 116 of dome 112.
• Cervical cap 110 further includes an elongated string of elastomeric material 120.
• Elongated string 120 includes a first end 122 and a second end 124, where first end 122 is connected to apex portion 114 and second end 124 is connected to a loop 126. Loop 126 is intended to remain outside the vaginal cavity when cap 110 is positioned over the cervix.
• rim 118 has an inner surface 128 and an outer surface 130, bottom surface 132, and upper surfaces 134 and 136.
• Upper surface 134 extends leftward from base portion 116, as viewed in FIG. 5, and terminates at outer shoulder 138.
• Upper surface 136 extends rightward from base portion 116, as viewed in FIG. 5, and terminates at outer shoulder 140.
• Upper surface 136 extends at an acute angle from adjacent base portion 116, preferably, for example, at about an 85 degree angle.
• Annular rim 118 has generally inwardly directed annular groove 142.
• the side walls or annular groove 142 extend generally toward bottom surface 132 with the opening of annular groove 142 facing inwardly and upwardly as shown in FIG. 5.
• Adjacent to annular groove 142 are annular upper rim 144 and annular lower rim lip 146. As illustrated in FIG. 5, both upper rim lip 144 and lower rim lip 146 extend generally inwardly and upwardly at an angle acute to dome base portion 116. This lip configuration serves to grip the cervix wall and helps keep the cervical cap in position over the cervix as an alternate embodiment to the configuration shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
• the cervical cap of the present invention be constructed of a sperm-impermeable, tear-resistant medical elastomer, such as a silicone rubber, and formed by liquid injection molding.
• a sperm-impermeable, tear-resistant medical elastomer such as a silicone rubber
• Other suitable materials such as RTV thermoplastic that can be molded thin enough to be form-conforming and pliant may also be employed.
• the elongated string is preferably made of the same elastomeric material as the cap, such as silicone rubber.
• Preferred materials include a 40 durometer silicone, such as Silastic Q4840 (Dow Corning) or Silicone 4040 (Bayer). When thinly molded, these materials allow for up to a 600% stretch of the molded product.
• the elongated string is preferably made of the same elastomeric material as the cap, such as silicone rubber.
• This material may or may not be impregnated with biologically active components.
• biologically active components may include, but are not limited to, spermicides, antibiotics, antifungals, and hormonal replacements.
• the biologically active components would assist in fertilization, or may be mixed with sperm within the hollow body of the dome of the cap in order to achieve the desired result.
• the use of biologically active materials may stimulate sperm motility, prolong the active life of the sperm or aid in gender selection.
• Selectively eliminating or altering the behavior of some sperm by significantly changing the pH may bias the activity of the X or Y sperm, resulting in odds which favor one particular sex over the other. These components may be released therefrom in an amount effective to achieve its purpose during use.

Landscapes

• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Reproductive Health (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Biomedical Technology (AREA)
• Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
• Vascular Medicine (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Orthopedics, Nursing, And Contraception (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=22266237

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

Family Cites Families (2)

• 1998
  • 1998-01-15 AU AU58273/98A patent/AU5827398A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1998-01-15 EP EP98901845A patent/EP1067891A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 1998-01-15 WO PCT/US1998/001125 patent/WO1999036011A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1998-01-15 DE DE19882951T patent/DE19882951T1/de not_active Withdrawn

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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