Methods and devices to prevent premature birth
AssigneeNine Medical, Inc.
InventorsBenjamin Kahn CLINE, Ryan Kendall PIERCE
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and devices to affect types, proportion, quantity, distribution, or proliferation of microorganisms within a female reproductive system.
Claims24
A method for delivering a microbial barrier to a vaginal portion of a cervix of a pregnant woman, the method comprising:
- visualizing the distal portion of the vagina of the pregnant woman;
- and
- applying a barrier material over cervical epithelial tissue on the vaginal portion of the cervix while preventing the barrier material from completely obstructing a path of egress of biological materials from the uterus into the vagina.
A method for delivering a microbial barrier to a vaginal portion of a cervix, the method comprising:
- inserting an applicator device through a vagina so that a region of the applicator device is adjacent the vaginal portion of the cervix;
- combining within a common chamber two or more previously separated liquid or gel-like components;
- and
- applying the combined components through one or more delivery apertures continuous with the common chamber over cervical epithelial tissue of the vaginal portion of the cervix, thereby forming a microbial barrier,
- wherein the applying the combined components is performed while visualizing a distal portion of the vagina.
A device for delivering a microbial barrier to a portion of a cervix without disrupting a cervical mucus plug, the device comprising:
- an elongate body comprising at least one delivery lumen;
- at least two housings containing liquid or gel-like components;
- a mixing chamber configured to combine the liquid or gel-like components contained within the at least two housings to form a coating material;
- an applicator at a distal end of the elongate body that is configured to apply the coating material onto the portion of the cervix without disrupting the cervical mucus plug;
- and
- one or more delivery apertures in the applicator and continuous with the mixing chamber from which the coating material may be delivered to the portion of the cervix to form the antimicrobial barrier.
A method for providing a microbial barrier at or near the external opening of a cervix of a woman without disrupting a cervical mucus plug within a cervical canal to prevent ascending reproductive tract infection or microbial tissue invasion, the method comprising:
- delivering a biocompatible polymer to a site apposing the cervix, within a vagina, and outside of the cervical canal and uterus, while visualizing the distal portion of the vagina of the woman;
- wherein the biocompatible polymer does not occupy at least one path of egress of biological materials from the cervical canal into the vagina;
- and
- further wherein a region occupied by the biocompatible polymer at least partially surrounds a vaginal portion of the cervix.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.