Personal cleansing wand

#This application relates to devices and methods for cleansing the internal surfaces of various body cavities such as the nasal passages and the vaginal cavity. Cleansing is generally achieved using mechanical debridement. The devices may include a handle and one or more cleansing tips having different sets of cleansing surfaces that mechanically remove debris. In addition to debris removal, the devices may be configured to deliver various substances (e.g., antiseptic substances) to the body cavity surfaces, or deliver UV light to sanitize (disinfect) the surfaces. Systems including one or more cleansing devices and one or more cleansing formulations are also described herein.

#We live in a world that is filled with microbial organisms that are invisible to the eye, but which are ever present in our environment. Some are good, but others can be harmful to humans and/or animals. For example, pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, molds, and fungi are ubiquitous in our surroundings. Additionally, some allergens can enter the human body and initiate inflammatory processes such as rhinitis and sinusitis. Individuals may also react adversely to noxious fumes, smoke, and particulate matter in the air.

#Although the skin provides a unique protective barrier on the surface of the body, there are openings or anatomic orifices that provide a point of entry into the body for pathogens, allergens, immunogens, and other substances that can cause health related problems ranging from mild to severe. In some cases, lethal septicemia begins with the entry of pathogens via the nasopharynx or the oropharynx. These orifices include but are not limited to, the mouth, the nose, the eyes, the ears, the female genital tract and the anorectal area.

#FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary cleansing device including a handle and a cleansing tip having a circular shape.

#FIGS. 2A-2C depict other exemplary cleansing tips having various shapes. In FIG. 2A, the cleansing tip has an elliptical shape; and in FIGS. 2B and 2C, the cleansing tip has an oval shape.

#FIG. 3A depicts an exemplary cleansing tip having a bulbous shape.

#Described herein are personal cleansing devices and methods for cleansing the surface of a body cavity. The devices may include a handle and a cleansing tip generally configured to remove debris mechanically, via debridement of the body cavity surface. The devices may include one cleansing tip at the distal end of the handle, or two cleansing tips, one at each end of the handle. The types of debris that may be removed include without limitation, mucus, dust, pollen, dead skin cells, bacteria, bacterial biofilms, viruses, or combinations thereof.

#The cleansing tip may include different sets of cleansing surfaces that are exposed depending on how the handle and/or cleansing tip is moved. For example, rotation in opposite directions or axial translation in opposite directions may expose different cleansing surfaces. The cleansing surfaces may be leaflets with one or more characteristics that may result in improved cleansing of the interior surface of body cavities. For example, the number of leaflets employed may be beneficial in improving the effectiveness of cleansing over swabs having smooth surfaces. Cleansing tips including two or more leaflets may generally have improved cleansing ability compared to a swab having a single smooth surface. Additionally, increasing the number of leaflets provides additional surface area for cleansing. When texturing is used on the leaflets, the texturing may provide further additional surface area for cleansing as well as providing enhanced debridement capability. These same enhanced features for debridement may lend the device to be particularly useful in collecting samples and should increase the sample yield compared to using a swab. In addition to debridement, the devices may deliver an antiseptic agent to help reduce the bacterial or viral load present on the cavity surface. Other substances such as anti-inflammatory agents or fragrances may also be delivered. Systems are also described herein that include one or more handles and a plurality of cleansing tips. The handles may be disposable or reusable. The cleansing tips will typically be disposable. However, in some variations they may be reusable and made from materials capable of being sterilized or disinfected, e.g., by washing, soaking or wiping with ethyl alcohol or another disinfecting agent.

#The devices may be employed to debride the surface of various body cavities. For example, surfaces of the nasal cavity, the oral cavity, the ear canal, or the vaginal cavity, the entry region of the vaginal canal, or other potential spaces, including those with mucosal surfaces, may be debrided. The nasal cavity is an exemplary area for entry of particulate matter that can be infectious, allergenic, or toxic. If there is particulate matter, it may become lodged in the nasal cavity opening and ultimately may be transferred deeper into the sinus cavities or respiratory track leading to infection and creating the possibility for contagious transfer of bacteria, viruses, mold, etc.