Inflatable menstrual cup for blood leakage prevention

• US 5,947,992 A
• Filed: 08/08/1997
• Issued: 09/07/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Filiberto P. Zadini, Giorgio C. Zadini
• Original Assignee: Filiberto P. Zadini, Giorgio C. Zadini
• Inventors: Zadini, Giorgio C., Zadini, Filiberto P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Buiz, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shai, Daphna
• Application Number:
  US08/907,529
• Time in Patent Office: 760 Days
• Field of Search: 606/191, 606/192, 606/193, 606/196-119, 604/1, 604/96, 604/99, 604/904
• US Class Current: 606/193
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12099 characterised by the location of the occluder
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12136 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/42 Gynaecological or obstetrical instruments or methods ligaturing clamps or clips for the umbilical cord A61B17/122; curettage A61B17/320708; dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00557 inflatable A61B2017/22051 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/202 Catamenial tampons A61F13/2022-A61F13/34 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/2045 Cup-shaped type tampons non-absorbent catamenial cups A61F5/4553
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/2048 Ball-shaped tampons
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/208 having means for avoiding leakage, e.g. liquid impermeable withdrawal end A61F13/204 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/26 Means for inserting tampons , i.e. applicators
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/4553 placed in the vagina, e.g. for catamenial use pessaries A61F6/08; absorbent cups A61F13/2045
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1052 for temporarily occluding a vessel for isolating a sector
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/1475 Vagina
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/10 Balloon catheters A61M25/0125 takes precedence; embolectomy A61B17/22032; retractors A61B17/02; inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts A61F2/958 ; stomach balloons for treatment of obesity A61F5/0003; oesophagal tubes A61J15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 29/02 Dilators made of swellable material balloon catheters for angioplasty A61M25/104
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 604/904 Tampons

Abstract

An intravaginal inflatable member impermeable to fluids adapted to collect upon inflation, menstrual blood and also capable of provide sealable closure of the vaginal canal for the prevention of vaginal exit of menstrual blood. By being inflatable, the device is easily inserted and removed when deflated and is also capable of sealing off the blood collected avoiding the spillage of blood upon extraction and disposal. The inflation of the device can be conveniently initiated prior to insertion into vagina and completed with the device fully inserted or can be initiated and completed with the device already inserted into the vagina. Inflation of the device can be achieved without the use of an external pneumatic source, but with a self-inflating apparatus within the device. The inflatable member can be used as a standing alone device or in combination with a vaginal tampon for the prevention of blood leakage.

Claims

1. A catamenial device for insertion into a vaginal canal having a vaginal wall, comprising:

an inflatable member having an inflatable reservoir for collection of menstrual blood or organic fluids; and

pneumatic means to inflate said inflatable member.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said reservoir has a generally concave shape.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said reservoir is generally cup-shaped.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said inflatable member sealingly engages the vaginal canal upon inflation.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said inflatable member is substantially fluid impermeable.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said inflatable member includes a generally donut-shaped inflatable member for sealingly engaging the vaginal wall and an inflatable body, the inflatable generally donut-shaped member being in flow communication with said inflatable body, said donut shaped member delimiting a circular opening of said body means for collection of blood.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein said inflatable body comprises substantially non-compliant material.

8. The device of claim 6 wherein said generally donut-shaped inflatable member comprises substantially compliant material.

9. The device of claim 1 further comprising a source means of said pneumatic means.

10. The device of claim 6 wherein said donut-shaped member is resilient to centripetally retract for sealingly closing said circular opening upon deflation of said inflatable member, preventing accidental spillage of blood upon removal of the inflatable member from the vaginal canal.

11. The device of claim 9 wherein said source means comprises components chemically reacting to produce said pneumatic means, said components being contained within said inflatable member.

12. The device of claim 9 wherein said source means comprises components chemically reacting to produce said pneumatic means, said components being external to said inflatable member.

13. The device of claim 9 wherein said source means of pneumatic means comprises a container containing said pneumatic means in a compressed status, said container being contained within said inflatable member.

14. The device of claim 9 wherein said source means of pneumatic means comprises a container containing said pneumatic means in a compressed status, said container being external to said inflatable member.

15. The device of claim 9 wherein said source means of pneumatic means comprises inflating means in flow communication with the interior of said inflatable member.

16. The device of claim 1 wherein said inflatable member is deflated for removal from the vaginal canal.

17. The device of claim 1 further comprising a vaginal absorbent member.

18. The device of claim 1 further comprising a vaginal absorbent member, wherein said inflatable member is substantially impermeable to fluids and sealingly engages said vaginal wall upon inflation.

19. The device of claim 18 wherein said inflatable member includes a generally donut-shaped inflatable member for sealingly engaging the vaginal wall and an inflatable body, the inflatable generally donut-shaped member being in flow communication with said inflatable body, said donut shaped member delimiting a circular opening of said body means for collection of blood, said vaginal absorbent member being connected to said inflatable body.

20. The device of claim 18 further comprising a source means of said pneumatic means, said source means comprising components chemically reacting to produce said pneumatic means, said components being contained within said inflatable member.

21. The device of claim 18 further comprising a source means of said pneumatic means, said source means comprising a container containing said pneumatic means in a compressed status, said container being contained within said inflatable member.

22. The device of claim 18 further comprising a source means of said pneumatic means, said source means comprising inflating means in flow communication with the interior of said inflatable member.

23. The device of claim 19 wherein said donut-shaped member is resilient to centripetally retract for sealingly closing said circular opening around said absorbent member upon deflation of said inflatable member, preventing accidental spillage of blood upon removal of the inflatable member from the vaginal canal.

24. The device of claim 1 wherein said body means comprises a flexible sheet.

25. The device of claim 1 wherein said body means comprises a bag for said collection of menstrual blood, said bag having a circular opening for entry of said menstrual blood into said collection site, said circular entry having a circular rim.

26. The device of claim 25 wherein said inflatable member is generally donut-shaped to sealingly engage the vaginal wall, and said rim of said bag is sealingly connected to said generally donut shaped member.