Surgery – Male reproductory tract shields or birth control devices – Condoms
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-31
2001-04-03
Brown, Michael A. (Department: 3764)
Surgery
Male reproductory tract shields or birth control devices
Condoms
C128S918000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06209543
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improved male condom intended to effectively protect sexually active men and women at risk of contracting one of the twenty or more known sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) prevalent today in populations throughout the U.S. and worldwide. More specifically, it relates to a roughly tubular, non-continuous shaft that covers the entire penis and scrotum of the male and that uses a restraining strap and a restrictive band to minimize slippage, thus providing comprehensive and reliable protection against disease and pregnancy.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) continue to spread at an alarming rate throughout the U.S. population. In fact, it is estimated that 12 million people in the U.S. acquire some form of STD each year. Overall, about one in four Americans have an STD. This category includes such conditions as herpes, syphilis, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, chlamydia and HIV (AIDS), among others. STDs are most commonly spread when sexual partners engage in unprotected sex, that is, the infected genitalia (and surrounding area) of one partner comes into contact with the genitalia (and surrounding area) of another partner, thus transferring the infection. Although most STDs respond to some form of treatment, certain sexually transmitted pathogens cause cervical, liver, and other cancers, while infections in pregnant women can cause spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, pre-term delivery, and illness among infants.
The object of this invention is to provide sexual partners with effective protection against both STDs and unintended pregnancy. This has been accomplished by fashioning a male condom with a scrotal sac or pouch with an optionally removable restraining strap. Together, the sac and strap are intended to provide improved prophylactic and contraceptive protection when compared with a traditional continuous shaft condom that does not include scrotal coverage or restraining capability. The scrotal sac provides more comprehensive protection against disease by preventing contact between the scrotum and the labia, and between the scrotum and the anal region. The restraining strap provides more reliable protection against disease and pregnancy in that it anchors the condom, thus safeguarding against the condom slipping partly or completely off during sexual intercourse, a consequence known to occur with traditional, continuous shaft condoms used by most condom users throughout the U.S. and worldwide today. To further increase protection against slippage, the shaft portion of the condom includes an optional restrictive band.
This invention is an advancement over prior art patents of a similar construction in two important ways: (1) the construction of the scrotal sac, designed for improved admittance and accommodation of the scrotum; and (2) the introduction of a restraining strap with fixable ends, intended to anchor the condom and to prevent slippage during sexual intercourse.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,070,890 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,314,447 include a scrotal sac in each embodiment, but the sac opening has the disadvantages of not being substantially wider than the shaft and of not being fashioned from a pliant construction, hindering admittance of the scrotum into the scrotal sac. And since condom usage is often dependent on convenience and comfort, this limitation could discourage usage, possibly during a sexual encounter where usage is necessary to prevent disease and/or pregnancy.
Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 5,718,236 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,318,042 have the disadvantages of limited access and rigid construction relative to the scrotal sac. Moreover, these patents do not provide a restraining mechanism to prevent the condom from slipping partly or completely off during sexual intercourse as does the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,354,494 does provide a restraining strap that fits over the scrotum. However, it is unclear if this strap would remain secure during sexual intercourse and if tension from this strap would cause discomfort to the testes, whereas the restraining strap of the present invention is designed to provide a comfortable, secure fit. Also significant, this patent does not provide a reservoir tip. Therefore, it is unable to provide the same level of protection as the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The condom of the present invention provides an improved prophylactic and birth control device comprising a tubular shaft portion that is roughly cylindrical and that covers the shaft of the penis and a scrotal portion that covers the scrotum. Preferably, the condom is made of latex, polyurethane, rubber or other polymer or elastomer fashioned into a non-rigid, pliant construction. The condom is closed at one end and includes an optional reservoir tip for containing semen, and is open at the other end for admitting the penis and the scrotum. The periphery of the open end is preferably finished with a lip or band. The scrotal portion includes a scrotal sac or pouch that extends downward from the flexible open end, so that once the penis is effectively fitted into the tubular shaft portion, the scrotum easily and comfortably enters the scrotal sac. A restraining strap, which is optionally separate or removable, is comprised of a relatively flat elastic material with fixable ends that, when fastened, serve to enclose the scrotum in the scrotal sac and to anchor the condom onto the user. Specifically, with the penis first extended into the shaft and the scrotal sac loosely fitted around the scrotum, the strap is properly applied by grasping each hanging end with the index finger and thumb of each hand, then pulling each end up in opposite directions while following the periphery or lip of the open end, securing the scrotum within the sac, then finally, fastening the ends at the top of the shaft, just inside the lip or band, with a VELCRO hook-and-loop fastener or a similar fastening agent intended to effectively anchor the condom during even vigorous sexual activity. Also, for additional protection against slippage, the tubular shaft includes an optional restrictive band located between the scrotal sac and shaft portion of the condom.
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Brown Michael A.
Leary James J.
Titus Carol D.
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