Apparatus and method for managing incontinence
First Claim
1. An incontinence management device, comprising:
- a base sized to limit insertion of the incontinence management device into an anal cavity having a dentate line;
a head having a first state and a second state, wherein in the first state the head is sized for insertion within the anal cavity, and wherein in the second state the head is sized to substantially seal the anal cavity above the dentate line;
a neck connected to and extending between the base and the head, wherein the neck comprises a predetermined length to position the head beyond the dentate line when the incontinence management device is located at a deployed position within the anal cavity;
an external surface defining the head, the neck and the base;
an internal wall defining an internal cavity extending through the head the neck and the base to an opening in the base, wherein the internal cavity separates a distal side and a proximal side of the head relative to the opening wherein the head further comprises a permeable section on the distal side wherein the permeable section allows passage of gases and resists passage of liquids and solids;
a scaffolding structure positioned in the internal cavity within at least the head, wherein the scaffolding structure is positioned to separate adjacent portions of the internal wall within the head in the second state, wherein the scaffolding structure is gas permeable, wherein the scaffolding structure comprises a pathway through the head to the internal cavity in the neck and the opening in the base for the gases received through the permeable section of the head; and
a deployment device having an internal deployment cavity extending between an insertion end and an open end, wherein the head, the neck and the base are positionable within the deployment device when the head is in the first state.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An incontinence management device comprises a head having a first state and a second state. In the first state, the head is sized for insertion within a predetermined body orifice or cavity. In the second state, the head is sized to substantially seal the predetermined body orifice or cavity. In an aspect of use in an anal cavity, the device is configured so that the head forms a seal above the dentate line within the anal cavity. Further, in some aspects, the head substantially comprises a resorbable material. Additionally, in other aspects, the device further comprises a base, which limits insertion of the device within the body orifice, and an activator mechanism in communication with the head and movable relative to the base between a first position and a second position. The movement of the activator mechanism between the first position and the second position correspondingly causes the head to change between the first state and the second state or vice versa.
89 Citations
30 Claims
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1. An incontinence management device, comprising:
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a base sized to limit insertion of the incontinence management device into an anal cavity having a dentate line; a head having a first state and a second state, wherein in the first state the head is sized for insertion within the anal cavity, and wherein in the second state the head is sized to substantially seal the anal cavity above the dentate line; a neck connected to and extending between the base and the head, wherein the neck comprises a predetermined length to position the head beyond the dentate line when the incontinence management device is located at a deployed position within the anal cavity; an external surface defining the head, the neck and the base; an internal wall defining an internal cavity extending through the head the neck and the base to an opening in the base, wherein the internal cavity separates a distal side and a proximal side of the head relative to the opening wherein the head further comprises a permeable section on the distal side wherein the permeable section allows passage of gases and resists passage of liquids and solids; a scaffolding structure positioned in the internal cavity within at least the head, wherein the scaffolding structure is positioned to separate adjacent portions of the internal wall within the head in the second state, wherein the scaffolding structure is gas permeable, wherein the scaffolding structure comprises a pathway through the head to the internal cavity in the neck and the opening in the base for the gases received through the permeable section of the head; and a deployment device having an internal deployment cavity extending between an insertion end and an open end, wherein the head, the neck and the base are positionable within the deployment device when the head is in the first state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of managing incontinence, comprising:
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obtaining a device comprising; a base sized to limit insertion of the incontinence management device into the anal cavity; a head having a first state and a second state, wherein in the first state the head is sized for insertion within the anal cavity, and wherein in the second state the head is sized to substantially seal the anal cavity; and a neck connected to and extending between the base and the head, wherein the neck comprises a predetermined length to position the head beyond the dentate line when the incontinence management device is located at an operating position within the anal cavity; inserting the device, with the head in the first state, through an anal canal and into an anal cavity such that the head precedes the neck and the base; positioning the device within the anal cavity so that the head is inserted beyond the dentate line within the anal cavity, and so that the head is operable to change to the second state and form a seal with the anal cavity at a location within the anal cavity beyond the dentate line; and removing the device from the anal cavity using a retrieval mechanism having an anchor end connected to the device and a gripping end extending from the device and extending outside of the anal cavity. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. An incontinence management device, comprising:
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a head having a first state and a second state, wherein in the first state the head is sized for insertion within a predetermined body orifice operable to eject digestive by-products, and wherein in the second state the head is sized to substantially seal the predetermined body orifice; a layer on the head, the layer comprising a therapeutic material; a base operable to limit insertion of the device into the predetermined body orifice; a neck connected to and extending between the head and the base; an external surface defining the head, the neck and the base; an internal wall defining an internal cavity extending through the head, the neck and the base to an opening in the base, wherein the internal cavity separates a distal side and a proximal side of the head relative to the opening; wherein the head further comprises a permeable section on the distal side, wherein the permeable section allows passage of gases and resists passage of liquids and solids; and a scaffolding structure positioned in the internal cavity within at least the head, wherein the scaffolding structure is positioned to separate adjacent portions of the internal wall within the head in the second state, wherein the scaffolding structure is gas permeable, wherein the scaffolding structure comprises a pathway through the head to the internal cavity in the neck and the opening in the base for the gases received through the permeable section of the head. - View Dependent Claims (28)
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29. An incontinence management device, comprising:
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a base sized to limit insertion of the incontinence management device into an anal cavity having a dentate line; a head having a first state and a second state, wherein in the first state the head is sized for insertion within the anal cavity, and wherein in the second state the head is sized to substantially seal the anal cavity above the dentate line; a neck connected to and extending between the base and the head, wherein the neck comprises a predetermined length to position the head beyond the dentate line when the incontinence management device is located at a deployed position within the anal cavity; an external surface defining the head, the neck and the base; an internal wall defining an internal cavity extending through the head the neck and the base to an opening in the base, wherein the internal cavity separates a distal side and a proximal side of the head relative to the opening wherein the head further comprises a permeable section on the distal side wherein the permeable section allows passage of gases and resists passage of liquids and solids; a scaffolding structure positioned in the internal cavity within at least the head, wherein the scaffolding structure is positioned to separate adjacent portions of the internal wall within the head in the second state, wherein the scaffolding structure is gas permeable, wherein the scaffolding structure comprises a pathway through the head to the internal cavity in the neck and the opening in the base for the gases received through the permeable section of the head; and an activator movably connected to the internal cavity and, wherein the activator is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position maintains the head in the first state, and wherein the second position allows the head to change to the second state, wherein the activator comprises a valve. - View Dependent Claims (30)
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Specification