Anatomically conforming vaginal insert
AssigneeKimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
InventorsKristin M. Shepard, MaryAnn Zunker
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Abstract
A vaginal insert formed from a composition that, prior to introduction to the vagina, has the physical properties of a liquid, semi-soft gel, paste, foam, or viscous material so that it can be effectively delivered to the vaginal canal. After introduction into the vagina, the composition will expand and/or solidify into a semi-solid or solid structure to substantially fill the entire “H” shaped space of the vagina and a portion of the rugal folds along the length of the vaginal canal. Upon solidifying, the composition defines an insert that, in one embodiment, is suitable for use as a tampon and, in another embodiment, is suitable for use as an incontinence device.
Claims20
An anatomically-conforming vaginal insert formed from a composition including a material that is introduced into a vaginal canal as a viscous material at a first temperature and after insertion into the vaginal canal becomes a semi-solid at a second temperature greater than the first temperature, wherein the material has increased solidity at the second temperature as compared to the first temperature, and wherein the insert is absorbent.
An anatomically-conforming vaginal insert formed from a composition that is introduced into a vaginal canal as a liquid, semi-soft liquid, gel, paste, foam, or viscous composition at a temperature of about 16° to about 27° C., and after insertion into the vaginal canal becomes a solid or semi-solid material at a temperature of about 35° to about 39° C., wherein the vaginal insert is formulated with a withdrawal device, so that when the composition solidifies, the withdrawal device is secured within the insert as a result of the composition solidifying, and wherein the insert is absorbent.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.