Methods and devices to prevent premature birth
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of applying a microbial barrier to a vaginal portion of a cervix, the method comprising:
- preparing a surface of the vaginal portion of the cervix for application of the microbial barrier;
inserting an applicator device through a vagina so that an applicator is adjacent the vaginal portion of the cervix; and
forming the microbial barrier by applying a coating material to the surface, wherein the coating material comprises a tissue-adhesive polymer or mucus-adhesive polymer, further wherein applying the coating material comprises applying the coating material to a region of the surface that includes a closed path that circumnavigates an inferior portion of the cervical canal.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and devices to affect types, proportion, quantity, distribution, or proliferation of microorganisms within a female reproductive system.
-
Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A method of applying a microbial barrier to a vaginal portion of a cervix, the method comprising:
-
preparing a surface of the vaginal portion of the cervix for application of the microbial barrier; inserting an applicator device through a vagina so that an applicator is adjacent the vaginal portion of the cervix; and forming the microbial barrier by applying a coating material to the surface, wherein the coating material comprises a tissue-adhesive polymer or mucus-adhesive polymer, further wherein applying the coating material comprises applying the coating material to a region of the surface that includes a closed path that circumnavigates an inferior portion of the cervical canal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 16)
-
-
9. A method of applying a microbial barrier to a vaginal portion of a cervix, the method comprising:
-
preparing a surface of the cervical epithelial tissue for application of a microbial barrier; inserting an applicator device through the vagina so that an applicator is adjacent the cervical epithelial tissue; and applying a barrier material over the cervical epithelial tissue while preventing the barrier material from completely occluding the cervical canal, thereby isolating cervical epithelial tissue from microbes and microbial byproducts in the vagina, wherein applying the barrier material comprises applying an adhesive coating through one or more apertures on the applicator device while visualizing the external os of the cervix. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
17. A device for delivering a microbial barrier to an ectocervix of a cervix without disrupting a cervical mucus plug within a cervical canal, the device comprising:
-
an elongate body comprising a first delivery lumen; a proximal end region having a handle and a chamber for a coating material wherein the chamber is continuous with the first delivery lumen; an applicator at a distal end of the elongate body that is configured to apply the coating material on the ectocervix but not onto a section of the wall of the cervical canal, the applicator comprising a distal face having a central region configured to be positioned opposite an opening into the cervical canal when the applicator is adjacent the ectocervix; and one or more delivery apertures through the distal face, wherein the delivery apertures are outside of the central region or are prevented by their orientation or by a shield on the device from applying coating material perpendicular to the central region and onto the section of the wall of the cervical canal when the applicator is adjacent the ectocervix. - View Dependent Claims (18)
-
-
19. A method of applying a microbial barrier to a vaginal portion of a cervix, the method comprising:
-
preparing a surface of the vaginal portion of the cervix for application of the microbial barrier; inserting an applicator device through a vagina so that an applicator is adjacent the vaginal portion of the cervix; and forming the microbial barrier by applying a coating material to the surface, wherein the coating material comprises a tissue-adhesive polymer or mucus-adhesive polymer, and preventing the coating material from completely occluding the cervical canal by shielding the cervical canal from one or more coating material delivery apertures on the applicator device.
-
Specification