# US 2019/0336167 A1 · Conception device and related methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0336167 A1 - Document ID: US20190336167A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/968,444 - Filed: 2018-05-01 - Published: 2019-11-07 - Earliest claimed: 2018-05-01 - Assignees: Conceivex, Inc. - Applicants: Conceivex, Inc. - Inventors: Michael La Vean - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190336167A1 ## CPC - A61B 17/425: for reproduction or fertilisation - A61B 17/43: for artificial insemination - A61F 5/455: for collecting urine or discharge from female member - A61F 5/4553: {placed in the vagina, e.g. for catamenial use (pessaries A61F6/08; absorbent cups A61F13/2045)} - A61F 13/2045: {Cup-shaped type tampons (non-absorbent catamenial cups A61F5/4553)} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) ## Abstract A conception device includes a dome having a collapsible sidewall, an annular rim, an integral dome rib, and three or more gripping flanges along the inner surface of the rim. The gripping flanges may effectively position and secure the device over the cervix for the concentration of semen on the cervical os to effect fertilization independently or with the aid of biologically active agents. The device may additionally include a handle extending from the annular rim at an angle. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A conception device for positioning over a cervix to concentrate semen and promote fertilization, the device comprising: an annular rim; and a dome formed of a unitary construction extending from the annular rim, the dome defining a receptacle area and including a closed tip, a base portion and a sidewall extending between the closed tip and the base portion, and the dome having an integral dome rib. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A conception device of claim 1, wherein the integral dome rib is a spiral rib extending in a downward spiral around the dome and extending between the base portion to a portion of the sidewall proximate to the closed tip. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The conception device of claim 2, wherein the spiral rib is formed of a plurality of discrete raised projections. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A conception device of claim 1, wherein the integral dome rib is one or more ring ribs extending around the dome. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The conception device of claim 4, wherein the one or more ring ribs is formed of a plurality of discrete raised projections. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) A conception device of claim 4, wherein the one or more ring ribs extend around the dome located at least around the sidewall. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) A conception device of claim 4, wherein there is more than one ring ribs and the more than one ring ribs are equidistantly spaced. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A conception device of claim 1, wherein the unitary construction has a first thickness at the closed tip, has a second thickness at the sidewall proximate the closed tip, and has a third thickness at the sidewall proximate the annular rim, the second thickness being less than both the first thickness and the third thickness such that the sidewall is collapsible at a portion of the sidewall including the second thickness in a predefined manner due to compression by a vaginal cavity to raise a floor defined by an inner surface of the tip toward the annular rim in a direction generally perpendicular to the annular rim. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A conception device of claim 1, wherein the annular rim and the dome are formed of a material suitable for use in the vagina. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The conception device of claim 8, wherein the base portion includes a base thickness, the base thickness being greater than the second thickness. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The conception device of claim 1, wherein the device is adapted to be used with semen within the receptacle area of the dome. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The conception device of claim 1, further comprising a handle integrally-molded to the rim. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The conception device of claim 1, wherein the device is comprised of a silicone-based material. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The conception device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of ridges outwardly extending from the sidewall, and connecting to the annular rim. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The conception device of claim 14, wherein the sidewall includes a first portion adjacent the annular rim and a second portion proximate the closed tip, the plurality of ridges formed on the first portion. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The conception device of claim 1, wherein the dome has a length greater than a width. ### Claim 17 (depends on 8) The conception device of claim 8, wherein the portion of the sidewall including the second thickness collapses about a perimeter thereof in the direction perpendicular to the annular rim. ### Claim 18 A method of increasing a likelihood of conception in a subject having a cervix, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a conception device having an annular rim, a dome, including a base portion, a closed tip, a sidewall extending between the closed tip and the annular rim, and the dome having an integral dome rib, wherein the closed tip having a first thickness and the sidewall having a second thickness proximate the closed tip and a third thickness proximate the annular rim, the second thickness being less than both the first thickness and the third thickness, an inner surface of the tip defining a floor; (b) positioning the annular rim around the cervix to secure the conception device to the cervix; and (c) collapsing a first portion of the sidewall of the conception device including the second thickness after step (b) in a predefined manner due to compression by a vaginal cavity so as to raise the floor in a direction perpendicular to the annular rim and toward the cervix while providing a direct path to the cervical os for contents within the device and supported by the tip. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the integral dome rib is a spiral rib extending in a downward spiral around the dome and extending between the base portion to a portion of the sidewall proximate to the closed tip. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the integral dome rib is one or more ring ribs extending around the dome. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the closed tip and the sidewall are formed of a single material that defines the first and second thicknesses. ### Claim 22 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein a second portion of the sidewall has a plurality of ridges outwardly extending therefrom, and further comprising maintaining the shape of the second portion of the sidewall with the plurality of ridges. ### Claim 23 (depends on 18) The method of increasing a likelihood of conception in a subject having a cervix of claim 18, further comprising uniformly collapsing the second portion of the sidewall about a perimeter thereof in the direction perpendicular to the annular rim. ### Claim 24 A conception device for positioning over a cervix to concentrate semen and promote fertilization, the device comprising: an annular rim; and a dome formed of a single material, the dome extending from the annular rim, the dome defining a receptacle area and including a closed tip, a base portion and a sidewall extending between the closed tip and the base portion, and the dome having a spiral rib extending in a downward spiral around the dome and extending between the base portion to a portion of the sidewall proximate to the closed tip. ### Claim 25 (depends on 22) The conception device of claim 22, wherein the dome has a first thickness at the closed tip, a second thickness at the sidewall proximate the tip and a third thickness at the sidewall proximate the annular rim, the second thickness being less than both the first thickness and the third thickness, such that the sidewall is collapsible at a portion including the second thickness in a predefined manner due to compression by a vaginal cavity to raise a floor defined by an inner surface of the tip toward the annular rim in a direction generally perpendicular to the annular rim.