Pessary insertion apparatus

A method of installing a pessary device on a pessary insertion apparatus, comprising:

• providing a pessary insertion apparatus, the pessary insertion apparatus comprising:
• a body having a first end and a second end, wherein the body comprises an opening at the first end of the body and a cap at the second end of the body,
• a support member disposed at least partially within the body and configured to translate relative to the body,
• a handle coupled to the first end of the support member,
• a pessary-engaging structure disposed at the second end of the support member, wherein the pessary-engaging structure comprises a plurality of arms and a middle member, each one of the plurality of arms coupled to the middle member, and
• an actuator operatively coupled to the pessary-engaging structure and configured to translate a force applied to the actuator into rotation of the pessary-engaging structure,
• wherein the first end of the body is positioned toward the handle and the second end of the body is positioned away from the handle, and
• wherein the cap has a plurality of compliant flaps configured to flex to allow passage of the pessary-engaging structure;
• folding the pessary device;
• engaging the folded pessary device with the pessary-engaging structure;
• and
• positioning the pessary-engaging structure relative to the body of the pessary insertion apparatus to maintain the pessary device in a folded configuration.

A method of deploying a pessary device within a vaginal canal of a subject, comprising:

• folding the pessary device;
• engaging the folded pessary device with a pessary-engaging structure of a pessary insertion apparatus, the pessary insertion apparatus comprising:
• a support member having a first end and a second end,
• a handle coupled to the first end of the support member,
• a pessary-engaging structure disposed at the second end of the support member, wherein the pessary-engaging structure comprises a plurality of arms and a middle member, each one of the plurality of arms coupled to the middle member,
• an actuator operatively coupled to the pessary-engaging structure and configured to translate a force applied to the actuator into rotation of the pessary-engaging structure, and
• a body having a first end and a second end, wherein the body comprises an opening at the first end of the body and a cap at the second end of the body, the cap having a plurality of compliant flaps configured to flex to allow passage of the pessary-engaging structure;
• maintaining the pessary device in a folded configuration;
• inserting the pessary-engaging structure into the vaginal canal of the subject until the pessary device is positioned at or near a vaginal fornix of the subject;
• rotating the pessary device relative to the pessary insertion apparatus while maintaining engagement between the pessary device and the pessary insertion apparatus before, during, and after rotation;
• disengaging the pessary device from the pessary insertion apparatus;
• and
• withdrawing the pessary insertion apparatus through the vaginal canal.