Surgery – Male reproductory tract shields or birth control devices
Patent
1991-02-28
1993-03-16
Hafer, Robert A.
Surgery
Male reproductory tract shields or birth control devices
128844, 128918, A61F 606
Patent
active
051935554
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention is concerned with barrier devices for use in contraception and in preventing transmission of sexually transmitted diseases.
It is known that barrier-type contraceptive devices ("condoms") are effective not only as contraceptives, but also to help prevent sexual transmission of diseases. Indeed the use of a condom is positively recommended as a prophylactic measure against, in particular, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Condoms have, traditionally, been only suitable for use by the male partner; they can only be donned on an erect penis, immediately before intercourse. This has been found to be off-putting by many users and the resulting delay can sometimes lead to loss of erection by the male; furthermore, the traditional male condom permits contact between vaginal mucous membranes and the penis at the entrance to the vagina, with consequent risk of disease transmission. The male condom may become dislodged under certain circumstances during intercourse (e.g. on loss of erection or withdrawal of the penis), with consequent failure of the contraceptive and disease-preventing barrier.
In order to alleviate these disadvantages and provide an alternative means of contraception and prevention of sexual transmission of diseases, the so-called "female condom" has been developed. One such "female condom" (as described in our PCT Patent Application GB88/00042) is a barrier device which comprises a continuous, liquid-impermeable shield member shaped and dimensioned so that, in its operational position, it covers the entrance of a user's vagina, the shield member having integral therewith a continuous liquid-impermeable flexible pouch arranged to be introduced into the vagina so as to form a liquid barrier between the penis and the vagina; and means for securing the shield member in the operational position.
We have now devised an improvement in such barrier devices, which can be suitable for use either as female condoms or as male condoms.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, therefore, there is provided a barrier device comprising a continuous, liquid-impermeable, flexible pouch having an open end and a closed end such that the pouch can form a liquid barrier between a penis and a vagina; and a soft resilient insert arranged for insertion in said pouch between the tip of the penis and said closed end, said insert comprising a generally central portion and, extending outwardly from said central portion, means for biassing said pouch in the vicinity of said closed end into contact with the walls of the vagina.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a barrier device comprising a continuous, liquid-impermeable, flexible pouch having an open end and a closed end such that the pouch can form a liquid barrier between a penis and a vagina., and a soft absorbent resilient insert arranged for insertion in said pouch between the tip of the penis and said closed end, said insert being arranged for biassing said pouch in the vicinity of said closed end into contact with the walls of the vagina.
The resilient insert is such that it facilitates insertion of the pouch into the vagina, either by means of a separate applicator body, by the use of a finger or by means of the penis. Alternatively, when the pouch is donned by the male prior to coitus, with the insert located at the tip of the penis, the insert serves to maintain the pouch in position during intercourse, and, in some embodiments, after withdrawal of the penis. In addition to fulfilling these functions, the insert enhances tactile pleasure for the users and (when of absorbent material) may assist in absorption of sperm.
The resilient insert is typically of flexible expanded polymeric material, sponge rubber, solid rubber, plastics or the like; in some embodiments it is, as indicated above, absorbent. The insert typically comprises a central body portion and a plurality of radially outwardly projecting spurs (such as three or four such spurs). In some embodiments, the body portion has a c
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Richardson Margaret P.
Richardson Philip
Hafer Robert A.
Rimel Sam
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