US 4,300,544 A · Disposable female contraceptive

Abstract

Disclosed is a disposable contraceptive in which a first member engages the vaginal vault and a second member, secured to the first member, engages and closes the cervical opening. The first and second members are substantially discoid, with the second member smaller in discoid area than the first. The second member is a generally impermeable sponge-like material which is lubricated to aid in adhesion and closure of the cervix. The first member is generally resiliently closable so that the overall dimension of the contraceptive may be reduced in size for insertion into the vaginal vault. The first member is defined at least by opposed anterior and posterior portions which engage the respective anterior and posterior portions of the vaginal vault. The second member is coupled or joined to the first member at the posterior portion. In one embodiment, the second member is a sponge joined to a film. The film is held in position to define the first discoid member surface by a rim. In other embodiments, the first and second members are resiliently joined at the posterior portion so as to urge the second member into positive engagement with the cervix. Thus, a finite resilient nylon filament is bent into a figure 8 and covered with a soft, yieldable, foam plastic covering. By folding at the intersection of the upper and lower loops, the contraceptive is formed. In another example, a liner of resilient plastic in the shape of conjoined circles is covered by a soft, flexible, plastic envelope. In yet another example, an annular discontinuous rim is covered by a foam plastic. The rim has an integrally formed tongue extending therein and about, to which may be secured (by any well known means) a sponge-like impermeable plastic second member.

Claims92

Dependent claims

A barrier contraceptive of the type intended to be inserted within a vaginal vault, said contraceptive comprising:

(a) a first member means having opposed anterior and posterior portions for releasably and resiliently engaging the respective anterior and posterior portions of the vaginal vault;
and
(b) a second member means coupled to said first member substantially at said posterior portion, such that, upon insertion of said contraceptive into the vaginal vault, with said second member disposed beteen said first member and the cervix, and said first member posterior and anterior portions engaging, respectively, the posterior and anterior portions of the vault;
said second member being positionable to thereby close the cervical openings and be substantially removed from contact with the vaginal vault such that said first member buffers said second member from the effects of the forces of the vaginal vault to thereby substantially maintain said second member in position.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Disposable female contraceptive

Life of this patent

Disposable female contraceptive

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims92