US2529363A - Normally expansible anatomical diaphragm - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 7, 1950 R. J. BALLARD ET AL NORMALLY EXPANSIBLE ANATOMICAL DIAPHRAGM Filed Aug. 12, 1948 .5 M 5X0 J m%% Ma y mi w size permitted by the wearers anatomy.

Patented Nov. 7, 1950 OFFICE NORMALLY EXPANSIBLE ANATOBHCAL DIAPHRAGM Robert J. Ballard, Lebanon, and James A. Jackson, Indianapolis, Ind.

Application August 12, 1948, Serial No. 43,918

7 Claims.

This invention relates to vaginal diaphragms. .The chief object of the present invention is to provide a structure that may be used by any woman as follows: Contract a normally expansible diaphragm and rim for insertion into the vagina, insert the same therein with the cup open end directed toward the cervix, dispose the rim re'arwardly into the fornix until the diaphragm seals the cervix and then release the rim and diaphragm to the expansive force inherent in the rim.

When so released the rim and diaphragm expand until the structure attains the maximum It is well known that women anatomically vary from 50 to 105 mm. in diameter as to size. Again the same women vary anatomically at different times due to age variation and following childbirth, for

example. I

' Heretofore, a woman was required to be accurately measured by a physician and the proper size of structure then purchased. The distance measured is between the symphysis pubis and the posterior fornix. This meant that the physician used a set of varying sizes of rings for all patients, which even though sterilized after use for measurement purposes, nevertheless were repugnant to many patients.

Women anatomically vary in size in accordance with the probability curve. Physicians and drugstores accordingly have had to carry in stock diaphragm pessaries of all sizes with the larger number in the intermediate and median size range.

The chief feature of the present invention accordingly resides in the provision of an expansible structure, capable of accommodation over the 50 to 105 mm. range by the elasticity of the diaphragm portion and the extensibility of the rim portion, the latter having positive means to limit the expansion to the maximum size.

This structure preferably is of two types, one circularly outlined and the other elliptically outlined for this anatomical variation accommodation.

The woman, asstated, can readily compress the structure of either type for vaginal insertion, accurately position same by feel and then release. For removal, only a portion of the rim need be gripped and the structure pulled out.

The expansive force is such that at the smallest diameter or size pressure upon the body wall is not excessive. Such pressure serves to retain the structure in position.

Thus the invention consists of a one-piece,

one size, expansible rimmed diaphragm wherein the expansion is positively limited and the rim always tends to expand to such limit and at the same time stretch the diaphragm for full coverage.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawings and the following description and claims:

In the drawings Fig. 1 illustrates diagrammatically a portion of a womans anatomy withthe invention in place.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the invention in expanded position and with parts broken away and other parts shown in section, dotted lines indicating the full collapsed position.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the invention in collapsed position, parts being broken away to show other parts in section.

' Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 and of an elliptical and modified form of the invention, dotted lines indicating the collapsed position.

In Fig. 1 of the drawings there is diagrammatically illustrated the vaginal tract of a woman with the invention applied thereto, that is with the diaphragm I0 covering the cervix and the rim ll disposed thereabout and engaging the body wall and being held in place by the expansion force inherent in the rim.

Reference now will be had to Figs. 2 and 3. As stated, l0 indicates a very resilient, readily stretchable diaphragm portion preferably of soft rubber or latex. It is cup-shaped when fully contracted as shown in Fig. 3 and shallow dishlike when fully extended. The variation is effected without resulting folds in the smaller sizes since surplus tends toward cupping.

The rim generally designated II in Fig. 1 comprises an inner support and stop fixture to which reference will be had more fully hereinafter, and a normally expansible helical spring arranged in closed formation. To this is secured the edge of the cup or dish diaphragm.

In Figs. 2 and 3, I2 indicates a somewhat resilient wire. The same is circularly disposed and the ends lap as at I3. The free ends are each of eye form l4 and disposed therein is one of the lapped portions l3. Thus thi ring can normally expand but can not open up due to the stops comprised of eyes l4.

Disposed about wire l2 and lap l3 in encircling and enveloping relation is a helix IS in clwed form, each turn being rubber covered. Trapped in the annular chamber produced thereby is the central wire core I2 and stops l4.

when inserted and properly positioned is released to its inherent expansion for automatic size adjustment and retention Without-discomfort.

Reference will now be had to Fig. 4 whereinan elliptical form is illustrated. Herein two wires 20,

U-shape in outline, confront each other and-have lapping end portions 2| terminating in free end eyes 22 that embrace the adjacent end.

About wire and portions 2| is disposed the rubber covered and now elliptical shaped helix 23 .'I he diaphragmjfi includes a tubular rim 25 enveloping andengircling the helix. Mwn lstheig eetion a b e re deser he iee ea sietaili th i b going description, the same is tobe considered as illustrative and ngtrestrictive in character. 1I'he;seyeral modifications described herein as Well as others will readily suggest themselves to persons skilled in this art, all are considerec to b With n the ewe. c b the ihifehfion, reference bein gha d to the appended claims.

The invention claimedis e a e z ic ut mat e l a u l .d ap ra mfiq its e f hjiri a ldfi BXpafiion limiting means coextensive with the helix and disposedwithin the helix.

2. Structure as defined by claim 1 wherein the last mentioned means comprises a circularly disposed wire having lapping ends, each terminating in an eye portion enveloping the adjacent lapping end.

3. Structure as defined by claim 1 wherein the last mentioned means comprises a pair of confronting 'U -shaped wires. having lapping-adjacent ends, each terminating in an eye enveloping the adjacent lapping end.

4. Structure as defined by claim 1 wherein the last *merrtion'ed means comprises closed wire means generally conforms in outline to that of the helix and includes therein at least one lapping joint comprising a pair of eyes embracing adjacent lapping portions of the Wire means for limitinge'xter'isionthereof l 5. Structure as defined by claim e'wherein the wire means has inherent bias therein to enlarge the outline to assist the helix to expand the rim e. Structureasf'defined by aeimrwhermhe rim is in tube form and envelopes "the helix. I Structure as 'defined by claim s'whe em-each coil of the helix is rigidly connectedextern'ally to the interior ofthetubular rim for umrqrmexpansion of the latter and uniform stretchingof the diaphragm. I v j ROBERT J. BALLARD.

JAMES 'A. JACKSON."

REFERENCES aim) The following references are of record in the file of this patent;

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name l 7 Date 202,037 Lockwood Apr. 2 ,:;jl78 40 2,101,255 Hay e -;l)ec. 7,- l937 2,463,356 Clark Man-*1, 1949

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