Intravaginal disposable articles having a failure detection system
First Claim
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1. An intravaginal disposable article comprising:
- a) a primary structure sized for insertion into a user'"'"'s vagina and having a first end capable of being directed toward a source of bodily fluids during use and a second end, opposite the first; and
b) a liquid-sensitive signaling element in liquid communication with the primary structure and separated from the source of bodily fluids during use by the primary structure, the signaling element having an initial volume and capable of expanding to at least about 200% of the initial volume after exposure of the signaling element to a saturating amount of 0.9 wt-% saline solution.
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Abstract
An intravaginal disposable article, e.g., useful as a sanitary protection device. The intravaginal disposable article has a primary structure and a liquid-sensitive signaling element in liquid communication with the primary structure. The liquid-sensitive signaling element is capable of expanding significantly after exposure of the signaling element to a saturating amount of 0.9 wt-% saline solution.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. An intravaginal disposable article comprising:
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a) a primary structure sized for insertion into a user'"'"'s vagina and having a first end capable of being directed toward a source of bodily fluids during use and a second end, opposite the first; and
b) a liquid-sensitive signaling element in liquid communication with the primary structure and separated from the source of bodily fluids during use by the primary structure, the signaling element having an initial volume and capable of expanding to at least about 200% of the initial volume after exposure of the signaling element to a saturating amount of 0.9 wt-% saline solution. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of controlling aqueous vaginal fluids comprising the steps of:
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a) inserting a first absorbent device, comprising an elongate primary absorbent structure having a first end directed toward the cervix and a second end opposite the first end, into a vaginal cavity;
b) inserting a signaling element that is in liquid communication with the second end of the primary structure between a set of labia associated with the vaginal cavity, the signaling element having an initial volume and capable of expanding to at least about 200% of the initial volume after exposure of the signaling element to a saturating amount of 0.9 wt-% saline solution;
c) allowing the primary absorbent structure of the first absorbent device to absorb aqueous vaginal fluids;
d) exposing the signaling element to a sufficient amount of aqueous vaginal fluids that have passed the primary absorbent structure to permit the resilient material to expand to at least about 200% of the initial volume;
e) detecting the relatively unstrained configuration of the resilient material; and
f) removing the first disposable article from the vaginal cavity. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of making a disposable article comprising the steps of:
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a) forming a primary structure;
b) manipulating resilient material into a deformed condition;
c) restraining the resilient material in the deformed condition to form a signaling element; and
d) attaching the signaling element to the primary structure. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification