Abstract: A drug comprising either a peptide having the LH-RH action or an LH-RH antagonist is carried on an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) so as to be able to provide controlled release. Once the IUD is put in the uterus, the carried drug is gradually released over such a prolonged period of treatment time as, for example, several months to be continuously absorbed through the uterus mucosa or the vagina mucosa. This construction makes it possible to reduce the patient's pain and such a troublesomeness as frequent drug administration and continuously administer a necessary drug over a prolonged period of time while taking a contraceptive measures.

Abstract: An intravaginal pessary for treating prolapses includes a flexible core having a longitudinal axis and being disposed in a three dimensional configuration. The longitudinal dimension of the core along its longitudinal axis is modifiable within limits by manual pressure, both before and after insertion of the pessary into a vagina, the core being non-resiliently expandable and contractible within limits to modify the longitudinal dimension. A first longitudinal portion of the core is meshingly engageable with a second longitudinal portion of the core intersecting the first longitudinal portion of the core to lock within limits the longitudinal dimensions of the core intermediate the first and second longitudinal portions. The first and second longitudinal portions are manually separable, both before and after insertion of the pessary into the vagina, to unlock the longitudinal dimension of the core intermediate the first and second longitudinal portions.

Abstract: A contraceptive diaphragm having a rim surrounding a thin membrane, the membrane having a cervical dome extending downwardly from a posterior portion of the membrane. The rim has two curvilinear bands joined together at their respective ends and encased in a coil spring. The shape of the bands creates a rim which curves slightly upwardly at the anterior end of the diaphragm and slightly downwardly at its posterior end. The rim is formed with a curvilinear profile which provides an advantageous fit. A small dome projects upwardly from an anterior portion of the membrane which is grasped by the wearer to remove the diaphragm.

Abstract: A pessary for treating uterine prolapse and/or stress urinary incontinence. A first embodiment of the pessary basically comprises a base ring, a sling support, and a sling membrane wall secured together to form an integral unit. The unit is formed of a biocompatible, flexible material, e.g., medical grade silicone, so that it can be collapsed or folded. The base ring is annular member defining a plane. The sling support is an arcuate portion of a ring having a pair of ends secured to the base ring so that the sling support is oriented in a plane extending at an acute angle, e.g., 33 degrees, to the plane of the base ring. The sling membrane is supported between a portion of the base member and a portion of the sling support to forms an arcuate wall of the periphery of the pessary. When the pessary is in place the sling wall presses against the inter-vaginal wall, thereby gently closing the urethra. At the same time the ring base member provides support for the uterus, preventing further migration or prolapse.

Abstract: A pessary having a substantially flat, circular, flexible head substantially rigid across its diameter, compressible through operation of an attached manipulation apparatus. The pessary may include a lock to hold the head in a desired shape and an irrigation channel to permit cleansing of the vagina and pessary.

Abstract: A novel intravaginal device usable as a mechanism for introducing medicaments into the vagina of a human female. The device can be used for maintaining in the vagina medicaments and the like that otherwise might leak out and increasing the area of contact between the medicaments and the vaginal mucosa. At the same time it provides a device for the absorption of excess fluids.

Abstract: A retrievable pessary for intravaginal or intrarectal use comprises a solid body comprising a pharmaceutically active ingredient; a net pouch which encloses the body; and a withdrawal cord attached to the pouch to enable the pessary to be withdrawn after use.

Abstract: A vaginal pessary (10 or 34) used to control urinary incontinence or a prolapse, which pessary has a hollow annular body (12 or 36) and an elongated fluid conveying flexible elongated tube (16) which may be stored between the upper and lower surfaces of the annular body when the pessary has been properly inserted into the vagina. The annular body is provided with a diaphragm (20) attached to the inner surface (12.2 or 36.2) of the body, the diaphragm having a central aperture (22). The tube (16) has a coiled shape by making the tube from an elastic material having a memory, by having the tube carry a spring wire (18) forming into a coiled shape, or both. In the illustrated embodiments, a one way valve (24) is provided in an end portion (16.2) of the tube. The valve may be opened by inserting a hypodermic needle carried by a syringe to either cause the body (16) to assume its normal operational volume or to have its volume reduced for insertion or removal.

Abstract: A device for inserting into the vagina of a patient for delivery of a medicament in the vagina. The walls of the tubular member comprising the device are comprised of water-swellable materials having a higher porosity at one end than the other, the relatively low porosity end being positioned distally in the vagina to the relatively high porosity end. The medicament is contained within a reservoir in the tubular member and delivered to the vagina through the pores in the walls of the tubular member at different rates depending upon the porosity. Also provided is a method of delivering a medicament to the vagina of a patient.

Abstract: A device and method for intravaginal, barrier-type prevention of conception and infection by sexually-transmitted diseases based upon a barrier-type device including a flexible cervical dome having a continuous fornical rim defining an opening into the dome and a continuous, annular, vaginal brim which circumscribes and is attached to the cervical dome at the fornical rim. The vaginal brim is reverse-folded from the fornical rim, and has a dimension which continuously increases with circumferential symmetry from an anterior vaginal extension of the brim to a posterior vaginal extension of the brim which is diametrically opposite the anterior vaginal extension. The fornical rim is characterized in having a lip which extends inwardly from the opening toward the centerline of the dome. The brim has a curvature in a direction away from the dome.

Abstract: A cervical cap for covering a portion of the cervix uteri in order to prevent migration of sperm from the vagina into the cervical canal to thereby prevent conception. The cervical cap has an open end portion, a dome-shaped portion, preferably sealed, disposed opposite the open end portion, and a ridged section designed to grip the cervix to secure the cap. In the preferred embodiments, the ridged section has a plurality of substantially parallel ring-shaped ridges formed on the interior surface of the cap. In an alternate embodiment, a helical-shaped ridge is formed on the interior surface of the cap and extends from the rim to the dome portion, progressively narrowing in width.

Abstract: A three layered disposable vaginal device comprised of two resilient compressible polymeric foam layers separated by a non-permeable layer, the outermost layer being designed to include a receptacle. The device is also designed to include a removal tape that will permit the user to easily remove the same after use. The construction is intended for use as a barrier contraceptive with or without spermicide, as a delivery system for medicaments and also as a barrier to the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases.

Abstract: An intra-vaginal device to aid in controlling urinary incontinence, said device including a body with a forward portion to engage the anterior vaginal wall adjacent the bladder neck, which forward portion is expandable to close the bladder neck.

Abstract: The intravaginal device is comprised of a plastic body (2) wherein a drug is contained. Said device may be particularly used for contraception. A support (8) is arranged into the body which is formed of a preferably cylindrical block of plastic foam. It has an opening (15) parallel and preferably centered to the axis of the cylinder forming the block. This opening may preferably be a blind hole. The support is arranged in the opening. Said support is connected with the body by means of an element embedded in the foam. The invention also discloses a method for handling said device as well as a handling device for implementing the method for introducing, respectively removing said device.

Abstract: A device and method for intravaginal, barrier-type prevention of conception and infection by sexually-transmitted diseases based upon a barrier-type device including a flexible cervical dome having a continuous fornical rim defining an opening into the dome and a continuous, annular, vaginal brim which circumscribes and is attached to the cervical dome at the fornical rim. The vaginal brim is reverse-folded from the fornical rim, and has a dimension which continuously increases with circumferential symmetry from an anterior vaginal extension of the brim to a posterior vaginal extension of the brim which is diametrically opposite the anterior vaginal extension. The fornical rim is characterized in having a lip which extends inwardly from the opening toward the centerline of the dome. The brim has a curvature in a direction away from the dome.

Abstract: A device (1) for positioning within a human female vagina (V) to collect fluid discharged from the uterus (U), and also an instrument to facilitate positioning. The device (1) includes a receptacle (2) having a body (3) providing a collection chamber (4) for the fluid, and a rim (5) defining an inlet opening (6) into the chamber (4). The receptacle (2) is positioned within the vagina (V) so that the rim (5) surrounds the cervix (C) and the collection chamber (4) extends downstream so that fluid discharged from the uterus through the cervix (C) flows through the rim inlet opening (6) and is collected in the collection chamber (4). A trap valve (13) within the receptacle (2) permits the fluid to flow into the collection chamber (4) but inhibits return flow out of the receptacle (2).

Abstract: A barrier type contraceptive is an umbrella-like device including a flexible, barrier member with a plurality of radially disposed resilient stiffening members associated therewith. The stiffening members bias the barrier member into a generally planar configuration while allowing for the device to be folded into a generally fusiform shape for insertion.

Abstract: An electrified vaginal ring comprising an annular ring member fabricated of a medical grade polymer, elastomer, silicone or other comparable plastic material which is compatible with human tissue and fluids and physically proportioned to fit within the vagina of a female human being or other mammal while surrounding the cervix. The annular ring member has at least two physically spaced-apart, electrically conductive surfaces preferably in the form of spaced-apart bands of conductive material extending around either the periphery of the central opening through the annular ring member, or around the outside perimeter of the annular ring member. The electrically conductive surfaces may be comprised of platinum, a platinum alloy, or other comparable electrically conductive material that is electro-deposited, sprayed or otherwise secured to the annular ring member with the conductive material also being compatible with human tissue and fluids.

Abstract: Pessary particularly applicable in the treatment of prolapses of internal female sex organs, which pessary is formed by a ring-shaped member constructed of such material or such materials that the ring can be deformed by hand to any given shape and the circumferential dimension of the ring can be increased or decreased to some extent by hand, after which the ring retains the ultimately given shape and circumferential dimension. Preferably the ring (1) consists of a core (4) which has the shape of a spiral of non-resilient nature and a flexible casing (5) enclosing said core (4).