Incontinence insert applicators and methods for their use
AssigneeKimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
InventorsMaryAnn Zunker, Herb F. Velazquez, Donald J. Sanders
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Incontinence insert applicators for placing insert members within a vagina for reducing the occurrence and/or severity of female incontinence. The insert applicator has a non-circular cross-section for maximizing the available space for the insert, while also facilitating insertion of the applicator into the vagina. The applicators have orientation indicators to allow the user to properly orientate the inserts within the vagina.
Claims17
A device for reducing the occurrence and/or severity of female incontinence, comprising:
- an incontinence insert member;
- an applicator comprising an outer member and an inner member;
- said outer member adapted to house said insert member;
- said inner member moveable within said outer member and operable to discharge said insert member out of an insert discharging exit end of said outer member;
- said outer member substantially cone-shaped with its wider cross-section at said exit end;
- said outer member being elliptically shaped, and forming an orientation means for orienting said device within the opening of a vagina;
- said insert member positioned within said outer member such that a portion of said insert member extends out of said exit end.
A device for reducing the occurrence and/or severity of female incontinence, comprising:
- an incontinence insert member;
- an applicator comprising an outer member and an inner member;
- said outer member adapted to house said insert member and said inner member moveable within said outer member and operable to discharge said insert member from an exit portion of said outer member;
- wherein at least said exit portion of said outer member has a substantially elliptical cross-section in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said outer member;
- and
- wherein said substantially elliptical cross-section forms an orientation means for orienting said device within the opening of a vagina.
A method for positioning an incontinence insert member within a vagina, comprising:
- inserting an applicator into a vagina, said applicator comprising an outer member, an inner member, an incontinence insert member, and at least one orientation indicator;
- said outer member housing said insert member, said inner member operable to discharge said insert member from said outer member, and said at least one orientation indicator positioned on an outer surface of said applicator;
- orientating said applicator based upon the position of said at least one orientation indicator;
- and
- discharging said insert member into the vagina.
A method for positioning an insert member within a vagina, comprising:
- inserting an applicator into a vagina, said applicator comprising an outer member, an inner member, and an insert member;
- said outer member housing said insert member and having an elliptical cross-section in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said outer member;
- said inner member operable to discharge said insert member from said outer member;
- said applicator inserted such that the major axis of said elliptical cross-section is substantially parallel with the major axis of the opening of the vagina;
- orientating said applicator by rotating the applicator about 90 degrees such that the minor axis of said elliptical cross-section is substantially parallel with the major axis of the opening of the vagina;
- discharging said insert member into the vagina.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.