Fluid management device with fluid transport element for use within a body
AssigneeMcNeil-PPC, Inc.
InventorsSamuel C. Carasso, David J. Chase, Erin Marsee, Tara Glasgow
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Abstract
A fluid management device for use in a mammalian body has at least one fluid transport element capable of interfacing with a mammalian body element to provide a substantially uninterrupted fluid conduit. The fluid conduit provides a fluid path between at least one fluid transport element and the storage element. A distal portion of the at least one fluid transport element is capable of extending away from the fluid storage element, and the at least one fluid transport element has a Wing Stiffness of less than about 10 gf.
Claims24
A fluid management device for use in a mammalian body, the device comprising at least one fluid transport element arranged and configured to interface with a mammalian body element to provide a substantially uninterrupted fluid conduit to a fluid storage element in fluid communication therewith;
- wherein the at least one fluid transport element comprises at least one flexible plate that:
- i. is arranged and configured to extend radially outward from the fluid storage element;
- and
- ii. is arranged and configured to bend about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fluid storage element;
- and
- iii. has a Wing Stiffness of 0.4 gf to about 10 gf;
- and
- iv. is arranged and configured to direct fluid to an interface with the fluid storage element;
- and
- v. has a width perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fluid storage element
- wherein the fluid conduit extends the entire width of the first plate, and the at least one fluid transport element further comprises a second plate coupled to the first plate, the second plate being arranged and configured to separate from the first plate sufficiently to provide inter-plate capillary action throughout the fluid conduit, the second plate comprising a first surface disposed and maintained in facing relationship with the inwardly oriented surface of the first plate and an opposite surface.
A packaged intravaginal device comprising:
- a. a fluid storage element having a longitudinal axis and an outer surface;
- and
- b. a fluid transport element in fluid communication with the fluid storage element, the fluid transport element comprising at least one flexible plate that:
- i. is arranged and configured to extend radially outward from the fluid storage element;
- and
- ii. is arranged and configured to bend about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fluid storage element;
- and
- iii. has a Wing Stiffness of about 0.4 gf to about 10 gf;
- iv. is arranged and configured to direct fluid to an associated interface with the fluid storage element;
- and
- v. has a width perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fluid storage element;
- and
- c. a packaging element that substantially encloses the intravaginal device with at least a portion of a major surface of the flexible plate in contact with at least a portion of the outer surface of the fluid storage element,
- wherein the at least one fluid transport element comprises a second plate coupled to the first plate, the second plate being arranged and configured to separate from the first plate sufficiently to provide inter-plate capillary action throughout the entire width of the first plate, the second plate comprising a first surface disposed and maintained in facing relationship with the inwardly oriented surface of the first plate and an opposite surface.
An intravaginal device comprising:
- a. at least one fluid transport element comprising:
- i. a first plate having an outwardly oriented surface and an inwardly oriented surface;
- ii. a second plate coupled to the first plate;
- 1) that has a first surface disposed and maintained in facing relationship with the inwardly oriented surface of the first plate and an opposite surface;
- and
- 2) that is arranged and configured to separate from the first plate sufficiently to provide inter-plate capillary action;
- and
- b. a fluid storage element having a longitudinal axis, the fluid storage element being in fluid communication with the at least one fluid transport element
- wherein the at least one fluid transport element is arranged and configured to bend about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fluid storage element, the at least one fluid transport element has a Wing Stiffness of about 0.4 gf to-about 10 gf, and the at least one fluid transport element is arranged and configured to direct fluid to an associated interface with the fluid storage element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.