Surgery – Instruments – Internal pressure applicator
Utility Patent
1998-09-10
2001-01-02
Weiss, John G. (Department: 3761)
Surgery
Instruments
Internal pressure applicator
C606S192000, C604S317000, C604S328000, C600S573000
Utility Patent
active
06168609
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to devices used to collect catamenial flow during menstruation.
BACKGROUND ART
The majority of women utilize devices during the menstrual cycle to collect blood flow. One type of collector is an externally placed absorbent pad, napkin or shield. These tend to be bulky and retain undesirable odor. Two other device types are placed internally. The first of these is a tampon in the form of an absorbent (usually cotton) plug for placement inside the vaginal cavity. The other is a cervical cup having a flexible ring formed from a rigid polymer. The ring supports a cup which is formed from a thin impermeable layer of a polymer which is open on top. Such internal devices have numerous disadvantages.
The typical tampon currently used by women to absorb the flow of menses consists of a cotton plug, 1½ to 3½ inches in length with a cotton string threaded through the plug and extending from one end. The tampon is introduced into the vaginal cavity either manually or by means of an applicator which is removed after insertion. With either method, the string extends outside the vaginal cavity and is subsequently used for tampon removal.
The use of tampons has been linked to Toxic Shock Syndrome. A toxin produced by
Staphylococcus aureus
is known to cause serious illness. One theory for the cause of this syndrome is that the string associated with the absorbent plug has the properties of a wick and may act as a conduit for harmful bacteria migrating from outside of the body into the membranes of the vaginal cavity. Another theory is that the absorbency of the plug itself or, alternatively, the increased incidence of infection at the site of abraded or desiccated vaginal membranes damaged as a consequence of the insertion, maintenance and removal of a tampon from the vagina. The abrasive effect of the tampon on the vaginal membranes is believed to arise both upon placement of an unmoistened plug in the vagina and when an enlarged moist plug is dragged out of the vagina by means of the string. Furthermore, over absorbency that is created in the plug to reduce its initial size may result in absorption of normal vaginal membrane secretions leading to desiccation and further damage to the membrane.
The cervical cup is inserted by compressing and pushing the flexible hard plastic ring attached to a non permeable cup to the end of the vagina. The cup is removed after 12 hours by inserting a finger and pulling the cup out. A disadvantage of this device is the inconvenience of inserting a finger into a bloodied vagina. Furthermore, the contents of the cup holding the catamenial fluid, may spill resulting in an undesirable mess. In addition, this device is not suitable for flushing down a toilet. U.S. Pat. No. 5,295,984 to Contente et al. discloses such a cervical cup used as a vaginal discharge collector and claims methods of using such a device.
Recently, U.S. Pat. No. 5,674,239 and related U.S. Pat. No. 5,772,645 to Zadini et al. disclose an intravaginal balloon and a balloon associated with absorbent material for use in the vaginal cavity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Various embodiments of the present invention solve problems of the prior art. Preferred embodiments provide devices having sufficient capacity to be effective in collecting catamenial fluid for 12 hours and offer sanitary insertion into and sanitary retrieval from a woman's anatomy. Preferred embodiments provide the capability to transport the collector in a clothing pocket.
Accordingly, in a first embodiment of the invention there is provided a catamenial collector having a receptacle and a handle. The receptacle has a flexible hollow rim which has a port for the introduction of an inflation fluid. The handle has a length which defines an axis and substantially the length of a vagina. The handle has a fluid channel disposed along the length in fluid communication with the port so as to facilitate inflation of the rim. Further, the collector may have a string extending through the rim and at least a portion of the handle so that a pulling force axially applied to a string end causes the receptacle to close. A collector may have a pump for inflating the rim. The pump, in accordance with an embodiment is in fluid communication with the fluid channel and is coupled proximate to the second end. The collector may further have a valve axially disposed within the handle between and in fluid communication with the pump and the rim. Preferably, a tear site is axially disposed between the pump and the valve in order to facilitate removal of the pump when in use. The string end, in accordance with an embodiment, is not exposed and is not available to cause an undesirable wicking effect while the collector is in use. The collector may have a second tear site axially disposed between the valve and the rim, so that the valve may be removed so as to expose the string end and deflate the rim. In a further embodiment, the collector has an elastic member so configured that deflation of the rim also causes the receptacle to close. The collector is capable of being compressed into a volume substantially less then the volume it occupies when the rim is inflated.
In another embodiment of the invention, the collector has a handle with a coupling end, a receptacle with both a closed end and a second fluid channel, so that the coupling end is attached to the closed end and the fluid channel, the second fluid channel, and the port are in fluid communication with each other. It may further include an elastic member so configured that deflation of the rim also causes the receptacle to close. A further embodiment has a collapsible application tube coupled to and oriented coaxially with the handle. The application tube is biased towards a collapsed state. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the handle may have a second end and a pump for inflating the rim. The pump is in fluid communication with the fluid channel facilitating inflation of the rim and is coupled proximate to the second end. The collector may further have a valve axially disposed within the handle between and in fluid communication with the pump and the rim. Still further, it may have a tear site axially disposed between the pump and the valve. In addition, the collector may have a reservoir axially disposed between and in fluid communication with the valve and the rim to remotely indicate whether the rim is in an inflated condition.
Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method for the sanitary collection and disposal of menses having the steps of:
providing a catamenial collector along the lines of one of the aforementioned embodiments;
inserting the collector into the vagina; and
inflating the collector's rim such that the rim contacts and forms a fluid-tight seal with vaginal walls.
After an effective collection time, the collector's handle may be grasped, and the collector removed from the vagina.
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Gray Larry B.
Kamen Dean L.
Bromberg & Sunstein LLP
Cho David J.
Deka Products Limited Partners
Weiss John G.
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