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 to a reuseable intravaginal barrier.
• intravaginal devices which have specialized uses.
• One such device is the reuseable cervical pessary which is utilized to prevent contraception.
• Typical pessaries include the diaphragm, the cervical cap, the vault cap and the vimule.
• Another type of intravaginal device is the tampon which is utilized to absorb the flow of menses.
• U.S. Patent No. 2,522,822 issued to H.E. Harris discloses a disposable uterine pessary.
• the device is formed of a pad of partially compressed, fibrous material with a highly compressed peripheral bead surrounding the pad and maintaining the shape thereof.
• a cup-like cavity formed in the forward portion of the pad, two diagonally extending, indented grooves formed in the pad and extending outwardly and rearwardly from the cavity, and a substantially triangular, resilient apron portion closing the rear portion of the cavity between the indented grooves cooperate so that when the sides of the pessary are compressed toward each other, the apron portion will bow rearwardly to form a receiving socket for receiving the vaginal neck of the uterus.
• 3,169,894 discloses a diaphragm comprising a dome or a receptacle body portion having a rim enclosing a continuous coil spring.
• Two curved or arched pin sections are arranged in the coils of the spring in an opposed relationship to each other.
• the pins are shaped to conform to the diameter contour of the spring and to maintain this contour in the rigid state even when the diaphragm is flexed.
• U.S. Patent No. 3,261,353 issued to T.H. Johnson discloses vaginal devices which are formed from a laminated sheet of natural or synthetic rubber foam or other plastic foam which is laminated or cemented to a lightly cured surgical gum rubber diaphragm. The rubber or other organic foam laminate then is saturated by alternate compression and release of spermicidal chemicals which may also contain anti-venereal agents and lubricants.
• U.S. Patent No. 3,371,664 issued to N. Pleshette discloses an intravaginal diaphragm having a circular peripheral frame formed of a flexible material. Attached to the frame is a relatively thin membrane of elastomeric material and a removal band connected to extend across the perimeter of the frame and adjacent thereto so as to produce an optimum change in the operative shape to facilitate removal of the diaphragm.
• Strickman et al. discloses a disposable contraceptive cervical barrier formed in one or more layers in the form of standard pessaries with at least one layer impervious to the passage of sperm, with a medicament such as a spermicide, germicide, or an abortion inducing agent either impregnated into a foam plastic layer or in the form of a layer of gel or powder, the medicament being activatible upon contact with an aqueous solution.
• U.S. Patent No. 4,428,370 issued to P. G. Keely discloses an insertion unit for a vaginal diaphragm.
• the diaphragm has a stiff resilient rim and the interior surface of the diaphragm could be provided with a spermicidal substance.
• the present invention concerns an intravaginal device which functions as a reuseable barrier.
• a central sheet of resilient impermeable material has a supporting ring attached to a border of the sheet to force the sheet into a cup-shape with four sides.
• One pair of opposing sides has a wire core in the ring portion and the sides are inwardly bent in a central portion thereof.
• the other pair of opposed sides has one side outwardly rounded and the other side in a fork configuration.
• a user can squeeze the sides with the wire core to move such sides adjacent one another to aid in the insertion and removal of the device.
• the central sheet can be formed of a rubber material with a layer of foam rubber attached to both surfaces to trap sperm and bacteria.
• An opening can be formed in a central portion of the sheet material and covered by a flap to form a normally closed flap valve.
• An extension formed on the flap can be utilized to open the valve to release trapped material or insert medicaments without removing the device.
• FIGURE 1 illustrates a cross section of a preferred intravaginal device, in use
• FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the preferred device
• FIGURE 3 is a view illustrating how the device may be squeezed to a fraction of its normal width
• FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Figure 3;
• FIGURE 5 is a front elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention.
• FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of Figure 5.
• Figure 2 illustrates a preferred intravaginal device 10 comprising a ring 12 attached to the border of a cup-shaped sheet 14.
• Ring 12 is preferably formed of a resilient material, such as a neoprene non-absorbent rubber material, and has a generally four-sided shape with sides 16 and 18 having a wire core 20 as illustrated in Figure 4.
• the other two sides 22 and 24 have a central section without wire core as illustrated in Figure 1.
• the user by squeezing the ring with fingers 26, as illustrated in Figure 3, can move sides 16 and 18 closely adjacent one another.
• the stiff wire core in sides 16 and 18 prevent sides 22 and 24 from being moved toward one another.
• Sides 16 and 18 are bent as at 30 and 32, and side 24 has a generally rounded configuration while side 22 has a slight fork configuration as illustrated at 34.
• the diameter of the ring element is about three-eights of an inch.
• the overall size of the ring is chosen to accommodate the size of the user.
• Sheet 14 is preferably formed of a rubber material and includes a central impermeable membrane 36.
• a layer 38 of foam rubber is attached to one side of membrane 36 and a second layer 40 of foam rubber is attached to the other side of the membrane. Both layers 38 and 40 are each approximately one-eighth of an inch thick and formed of a foam rubber adapted to trap sperm and bacteria.
• Figure 1 illustrates the manner in which the device is mounted with one side adjacent the rear wall 50 of the vaginal recess and the opposite side adjacent the pubic bone 52 such that sheet 14 provides a barrier to cervix 54.
• the user can squeeze the ring in the manner illustrated, in Figure 3 for insertion or removal of the device.
• the shape of the ring is such that it can be easily inserted into the vagina to remain there for a month.
• the ring although preferably formed of a neoprene rubber, can also be formed of a plastic material.
• the device can be periodically removed, washed, and reinserted for reuse. The manufacturing cost is inexpensive so that it can be discarded if necessary.
• An intravaginal device 60 comprises a ring 62 attached to the border of a cup-shaped sheet 64.
• a layer 72 of foam rubber can be attached to one surface of the sheet 64 and another layer 74 of foam rubber can be attached to the other surface of the sheet.
• the device 60 is generally four-sided with an upper side 66 having a generally fork shape, a lower side 68 having a generally rounded shape, and a pair of opposed r e ⁇ sides 82 and 84 each being inwardly bent in a central portion thereof.
• the sheet 64 has a central opening 76 formed therein for the release of bodily fluids or the insertion of medicaments.
• the opening 76 is normally closed by a flap 78 forming a valve.
• An extension 80 formed on the flap 78 can be utilized to selectively actuate or operate the valve by pulling the flap 78 away from the opening 76. Once the valve is open, bodily fluids can be discharged without removing the device 60. Also, medicaments can be inserted through the opening 76 and retained by the device 60.

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)
• Prostheses (AREA)

Priority Applications (1)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=24640599

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (6)

Cited By (2)

Citations (8)

Family Cites Families (3)

• 1985
  • 1985-10-04 DE DE19853590494 patent/DE3590494T1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 1985-10-04 EP EP19850905253 patent/EP0198883A4/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 1985-10-04 GB GB08610406A patent/GB2177303B/en not_active Expired
  • 1985-10-04 BR BR8506965A patent/BR8506965A/pt unknown
  • 1985-10-04 JP JP50461385A patent/JPS62500636A/ja active Pending
  • 1985-10-04 WO PCT/US1985/001905 patent/WO1986001998A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation

Patent Citations (8)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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