WO1999036010A1 - Disposable cervical cap with an angled loop for removal - Google Patents
Disposable cervical cap with an angled loop for removal Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1999036010A1 WO1999036010A1 PCT/US1998/000684 US9800684W WO9936010A1 WO 1999036010 A1 WO1999036010 A1 WO 1999036010A1 US 9800684 W US9800684 W US 9800684W WO 9936010 A1 WO9936010 A1 WO 9936010A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- cap
- cervical cap
- rim
- cervical
- loop
- Prior art date
Links
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 contraceptive devices for females and, more particularly, to an improved cervical cap with an angled loop for removal.
- the cervical caps currently on the market today may be difficult to remove for a portion of the female population, as the degree of wetness and viscosity of body fluids varies among women and during normal cycles. Some women also find it difficult to remove the cervical cap because of the thickness and length of their fingers and fingernails as well.
- the present invention provides an improved disposable cervical cap which overcomes the aforementioned problems. Due to its novel construction, the cervical cap of the present invention allows for the quick and easy removal of the cervical cap by a greater majority of the female population.
- the present invention provides a disposable cervical cap having a thin-walled, flexible, and pliant dome with an integrally-molded flexible retaining rim.
- 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 cervical cap of the present invention also includes a loop integral with the external surface of the cap to provide for easy and quick removal of the cap from the vaginal cavity.
- the loop has an increased diameter as compared to current cervical caps, and is angled upwards towards the apex of the dome portion of the cap, as opposed to being disposed perpendicularly to the apex portion of the dome.
- 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.
- FIG. 10 a preferred embodiment of an improved cervical cap 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 angled loop 28 for removal of the cap from inside a vaginal cavity that extends from the rim.
- the loop is preferably angled upwards between about 30° to about 60° such that the loop is disposed substantially parallel to the cervix.
- the diameter of loop 28 is increased as compared to cervical caps typically found in the market currently in order to facilitate the removal of the cap.
- loop 28 is at about a 90° angle, such that the loop extends beyond the apex portion of the dome and is essentially parallel to the cervix.
- a small notch or indentation 30 is made in the top side of loop 28 where the loop is connected to the flexible annular rim 18. This permits loop 28 to fold upwards, substantially parallel to the cervix, allowing the use of a finger or fingernail to hook the loop and thus break the hold of the suction grip or seal between the cervical cap and the cervix.
- the cervical cap of the present invention may also be employed as a conception device, depending on the desired result. While the use of the cervical cap as a contraception device functions to prevent semen from entering the cervical canal (Os), the conception device aids in fertilization when sperm is placed inside the cap and the device is placed over the cervix, thereby concentrating sperm at the opening of the Os.
- annular rim 18 has an inner surface 20 and an outer surface 22. Thin, gripping finger
- Finger 24 also defines an upper portion of a notched indentation 26 as viewed in FIG. 3.
- Annular rim 18 contains at least two gripping fingers 24 that are directly opposite or symmetrically opposed from each other along inner surface 20. However, it will be appreciated to one skilled in the art that more than two fingers could be employed.
- Fingers 24 effectively grip and hold cervical cap 10 over the cervix in order to prevent semen from entering the cervical canal or to aid in fertilization.
- Gripping fingers 24 and notched indentation 26 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 24 rather than merely by suction or surface viscosity.
- FIGS. 4 and 5 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 angled loop 140 for removal of the cap from inside a vaginal cavity.
- the loop is preferably angled upwards between about 30° to about 60° such that the loop is disposed substantially parallel to the cervix.
- the diameter of loop 140 is increased as compared to cervical caps typically found in the market currently in order to facilitate the removal of the cap.
- loop 140 is at about a 90° angle, such that the loop extends beyond the apex portion of the dome and is essentially parallel to the cervix.
- a small notch or indentation 142 is made in the top side of loop 140 where the loop is connected to the flexible annular rim 118.
- rim 118 has an inner surface 120 and an outer surface 122, bottom surface 124, and upper surfaces 126 and 128.
- Upper surface 126 extends leftward from base portion 116, as viewed in FIG. 5, and terminates at outer shoulder 130.
- Upper surface 128 extends rightward from base portion 116, as viewed in FIG. 5, and terminates at outer shoulder 132.
- Upper surface 128 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 134.
- the side walls or annular groove 134 extend generally toward bottom surface 124 with the opening of annular groove 134 facing inwardly and upwardly as shown in FIG. 5.
- Adjacent to annular groove 134 are annular upper rim 136 and annular lower rim lip 138. As illustrated in FIG. 5, both upper rim lip 136 and lower rim lip 138 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
- suitable materials such as RTV thermoplastic that can be molded thin enough to be form-conforming and pliant may
- the angled loop is also preferably made of the same elastomeric
- 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.
- This material may or may not be impregnated with biologically active components. These components may include, but are not limited to, spermicides, antibiotics, antifungals, and hormonal replacements.
- biologically active components may include, but are not limited to, spermicides, antibiotics, antifungals, and hormonal replacements.
- the cervical cap of the present invention may be pre-treated by coating or impregnating its surface with spermicidal agents during manufacture.
- the biologically active components may also 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)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE19882957T DE19882957T1 (en) | 1998-01-15 | 1998-01-15 | Removable vaginal diaphragm with angled loop for removal purposes |
AU60246/98A AU6024698A (en) | 1998-01-15 | 1998-01-15 | Disposable cervical cap with an angled loop for removal |
EP98903484A EP1067890A1 (en) | 1998-01-15 | 1998-01-15 | Disposable cervical cap with an angled loop for removal |
PCT/US1998/000684 WO1999036010A1 (en) | 1998-01-15 | 1998-01-15 | Disposable cervical cap with an angled loop for removal |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US1998/000684 WO1999036010A1 (en) | 1998-01-15 | 1998-01-15 | Disposable cervical cap with an angled loop for removal |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO1999036010A1 true WO1999036010A1 (en) | 1999-07-22 |
Family
ID=22266201
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US1998/000684 WO1999036010A1 (en) | 1998-01-15 | 1998-01-15 | Disposable cervical cap with an angled loop for removal |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1067890A1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU6024698A (en) |
DE (1) | DE19882957T1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1999036010A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8454493B2 (en) | 2007-03-28 | 2013-06-04 | Conceivex, Inc. | Conception device and related methods |
US10874432B2 (en) | 2018-05-01 | 2020-12-29 | Conceivex, Inc. | Conception device and related methods |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4703752A (en) * | 1985-08-23 | 1987-11-03 | Shlomo Gabbay | Contraceptive device |
US4785804A (en) | 1987-07-20 | 1988-11-22 | Page Hanes, Inc. | Disposable cervical cap |
-
1998
- 1998-01-15 DE DE19882957T patent/DE19882957T1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1998-01-15 WO PCT/US1998/000684 patent/WO1999036010A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1998-01-15 EP EP98903484A patent/EP1067890A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1998-01-15 AU AU60246/98A patent/AU6024698A/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4703752A (en) * | 1985-08-23 | 1987-11-03 | Shlomo Gabbay | Contraceptive device |
US4785804A (en) | 1987-07-20 | 1988-11-22 | Page Hanes, Inc. | Disposable cervical cap |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8454493B2 (en) | 2007-03-28 | 2013-06-04 | Conceivex, Inc. | Conception device and related methods |
US10874432B2 (en) | 2018-05-01 | 2020-12-29 | Conceivex, Inc. | Conception device and related methods |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE19882957T1 (en) | 2001-02-22 |
EP1067890A1 (en) | 2001-01-17 |
AU6024698A (en) | 1999-08-02 |
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