PESSARIES FOR PROLAPSE ALLEVIATION

• US 20090266367A1
• Filed: 04/02/2009
• Published: 10/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Contipi IP LLC
• Original Assignee: ConTipi Ltd.
• Inventors: Perle, Amir, ZIV, Elan, Sabo, Elisheva
• Granted Patent: US 8,651,109 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/834
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0027 inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/005 with pressure applied to urethra by an element placed in the vagina
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0003 having an inflatable pocket filled with fluid, e.g. liquid or gas
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/001 for adjusting a diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0039 differing in diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0065 telescopic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0071 breakable or frangible
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/009 for single use, e.g. having means for preventing re-use
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 6/08 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 6/12 Inserters or removers

Abstract

Disclosed are devices for supporting a prolapsed organ. An exemplary device comprises a ring-like body optionally having a naturally occurring substantially flat and substantially planar compact configuration, the ring-like body configured with a size suitable for insertion into a vagina and to be expanded by a support element such that in the expanded configuration an outer periphery of the ring-like body contacts a portion of the vagina and stretches at least a portion of a prolapsed vaginal wall, thereby substantially alleviating prolapse of at least one pelvic organ. The device optionally includes a support element comprising two moveably connected arms configured to support the ring in the expanded configuration.

Claims

1. A vaginal pessary sized and shaped for alleviating organ prolapse, comprising:

(a) a body including at least two rib sections adapted to, at least in one state, extend along a vaginal axis and apply force to facing vaginal walls along axial extents thereof, wherein said body is adapted to be in at least two states;

(i) a compressed state in which said body is sized for insertion into said vagina; and

(ii) an expanded state in which said body is sized and stiff enough for providing organ prolapse alleviation and in which state said ribs extend along a vaginal axis and apply force to facing vaginal walls; and

(b) a state changing mechanism integral to said pessary and configured to change a configuration of said body from one state to the other state, which mechanism does not use fluid flow to cause state change,

wherein said pessary is stable in shape and size in both states.

2. A pessary according to claim 1, wherein said ribs are adapted to contact said walls for a length of at least 30% of a length of said body along said vaginal axis.

3. A pessary according to claim 1, wherein said ribs are supported at either end thereof by said body.

4. A pessary according to claim 1, wherein said ribs state change mechanism spaces apart said ribs during a change from said compressed state to said expanded state.

5. A pessary according to claim 1, wherein said body in said expanded state alleviates organ prolapse by directly supporting a prolapsed organ.

6. A pessary according to claim 1, wherein said body is substantially rigid in said expanded state.

7. A pessary according to claim 6, wherein said body includes at least one flexible section at at least one of said states.

8. A pessary according to claim 1, wherein said state changing mechanism locks said pessary in at least one of said two states.

9. A pessary according to claim 8, wherein said state changing mechanism locks said pessary in both of said states.

10. A pessary according to claim 1, comprising at least one elastic element which urges said pessary towards at least one of said states.

11. A pessary according to claim 1, wherein said state changing mechanism is configured to become dysfunctional after a number of state changes.

12. A pessary according to claim 1, wherein said body is a space filling body extending in at least two orthogonal directions not along the vaginal axis.

13. A pessary according to claim 12, wherein said body comprises a plurality of orthogonal planar shapes.

14. A pessary according to claim 13, wherein said plurality of shapes change state together by means of a single state changing mechanism.

15. A pessary according to claim 1, wherein said body is substantially planar.

16. A pessary according to claim 15, wherein said body comprises two spaced apart substantially parallel rib sections.

17. A pessary according to claim 15, wherein said body is a closed shape including said two rib sections.

18. A pessary according to claim 15, wherein said body is ring-like.

19. A pessary according to claim 18, wherein said body comprises at least two arc sections connected by joints.

20. A pessary according to claim 1, wherein said body defines a border and comprising at least one membrane stretched on at least part of said border.

21. A pessary according to claim 1, wherein said body includes at least one lockable joint enclosed thereby.

22. A pessary according to claim 1, wherein said state changing mechanism is at least mostly enclosed by said body.

23. A pessary according to claim 1, wherein said state changing mechanism is at least mostly unenclosed by said body.

24. A pessary according to claim 23, wherein said state changing mechanism is parallel to said vaginal axis.

25. A pessary according to claim 23, wherein said state changing mechanism is perpendicular to said vaginal axis.

26. A pessary according to claim 1, wherein said state changing mechanism comprises a ratchet mechanism.

27. A pessary according to claim 1, wherein said state changing mechanism comprises a locking element and an elastic element pre-configured to move said locking element to a locking condition.

28. A pessary according to claim 1, comprising a control coupled to said state-changing element and configured to activate a state change when said control is pulled when inside a body.

29. A pessary according to claim 1, wherein said pessary is functionally rotationally symmetric around said vaginal axis.

30. A pessary according to claim 1, wherein said body consists essentially of one or more rods.

31. A pessary according to claim 1, wherein said body allows flow of vaginal secretions therepast.

32. A pessary according to claim 1, mounted on an applicator.

33. A pessary system comprising:

(a) a shape changing pessary adapted to alleviate organ prolapse when deployed in a vagina; and

(b) an applicator adapted for holding said pessary while in a form suitable for insertion into a vagina.

34. A pessary system according to claim 33, wherein said applicator is configured to actively change a shape of said pessary after insertion thereof into a vagina.

35. A vaginal pessary sized and shaped for alleviating organ prolapse, comprising:

(a) a body comprising a frame formed of at least one elongate thin element and adapted to, at least in one state, extend along a vaginal axis and apply force to facing vaginal walls along axial extents thereof wherein said body is adapted to be in at least two states;

(i) a compressed state in which said body is sized for insertion into said vagina; and

(ii) an expanded state in which said body is sized and stiff enough for providing organ prolapse alleviation and in which state said frame extends along a vaginal axis and applies force to facing vaginal walls; and

(b) a state changing mechanism integral to said pessary and configured to change a configuration of said body from one state to the other state.

36. A pessary according to claim 35, wherein said state changing mechanism is fluid-based.