Apparatus and method for delivery of constrained beneficial bacteria to the vaginal tract
OwnerRichard Grady Payne, Jaeho Kim +1inventors
InventorsRichard Grady Payne, Jaeho Kim, Robert John Lyng
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a treatment for vaginal infections that does not promote colonization of artificially introduced bacteria such as Lactobacillus. Beneficial bacteria are contained within an outer cover of a vaginal insert that does not allow the bacteria to contact the vaginal tissue. The outer cover allows passage of metabolic byproducts produced by the beneficial bacteria into the vaginal tract creating an environment hostile to pathogenic microorganisms. The vaginal insert is placed in the vaginal tract by the user either by hand or by an instrument such as a tampon applicator. When the treatment time elapses the vaginal insert is removed.
Claims51
An apparatus for treatment of a vaginal tract, comprising:
- a bacteria source;
- and
- an outer cover surrounding the bacteria source.
An apparatus for treatment of a vaginal tract, comprising:
- a bacteria source encapsulated in alginate microspheres;
- and
- an outer cover surrounding the encapsulated bacteria source wherein the outer cover is impermeable as to the encapsulated bacteria source and permeable as to metabolic byproducts of the bacteria source.
A method for treatment of the vaginal tract, comprising:
- inactivating a bacteria source;
- placing the bacteria source within an outer cover of a vaginal insert, wherein the outer cover is impermeable to the bacteria source and permeable to beneficial metabolic byproducts of the bacteria source;
- activating the bacteria source;
- and
- inserting the vaginal insert into a vaginal tract.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.