Abstract: A flow-controlling tampon, comprising a generally upright elongated sheath structure having an open upper end and a closed lower end, the upper end sized to fit about the cervix an inner, elongated, flow-control tube extending generally upright within the sheath, the tube having an upper open end to receive flow via the upper open end of the sheath, and the flow-control tube having lower opening structure to pass flow from the tube into the lower interior of the sheath to gradually collect upwardly from the lower interior of the sheath, and about the control tube.

Abstract: A device for managing urinary incontinence in a human female includes a resilient body resilient adapted to fit between the labia minora and the floor of the vestibule of the vulva, thereby occluding the urethral meatus. An adhesive is applied to the body to provide a sealing engagement with the urethral meatus. In a first embodiment, the body has a base that seats against the floor of the vestibule, and a pair of flexible, lateral flaps that engage the labia minora. A layer of adhesive is applied to the base. A layer of highly-absorbant, hydrophilic material may be situated between the base and the adhesive layer, and/or a layer of scrim material may be so situated. The body may have a longitudinal ridge with a posterior edge having a finger hole to facilitate installation and removal of the device. In a second embodiment, the body is substantially tubular, with the adhesive applied to the exterior surface of the body.

Abstract: The organization is arranged to provide for a sterile spacing of the labia majora permitting retraction of the labia majora permitting ease of inserting a catheter device into the urethra. The organization is of a pentagonal configuration to anatomically accommodate the labia majora and to visualize the urethra.

Abstract: A vaginal discharge collection device is formed of an elastomeric rim and a flexible film reservoir. The rim may have a generally rectangular cross section and forms a collection space for collecting vaginal discharge. The reservoir may be collapsible so as to be substantially enclosed within the rim when the device is being used. Advantageously, the rim and the reservoir are arranged such that compressing diametrically opposed portions of the rim toward each other causes a leading portion of the rim to dip downwardly to facilitate insertion of the device. The device is ergonomically constructed so as to be convenient to use, comfortable to wear internally, and reliable. A system for reliably, comfortably and conveniently introducing agents, including drugs and other substances, into the vaginal canal is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cervical cell and fluid collector includes a substantially disc-shaped main body made of a high-density, non-absorbent, non-fibrous, biologically inert polyurethane foam. A porous membrane is mounted in a mainly concave collection recess in the main body. When the collector is in place adjacent to the cervix of a patient, cells and fluids adhere to the outer surface of the membrane. A layer of a cell-moistening material or agent is provided between the membrane and the inner surface of the recess; the cell-moistening material is preferably a pre-hydrated polymer gel that releases water during cell collection for moistening collected cells through the pores of the membrane when the cells are adhered to the outer surface of the membrane. The main body has an inward-slanting annular lip defining the recess and resiliently holding the membrane. The collector may remain in the vaginal cavity of the patient for up to at least 24 hours.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of and apparatus for obtaining adequate vaginal secretions from the vaginas of prepubertal females for laboratory tests without causing iatrogenic damage to the genital tract and without frightening or causing trauma to the females. The apparatus comprises an inner flexible catheter having a passage within an outer flexible catheter, the catheters having fluid communicating sampling ports, the injection, aspiration, and withdrawal of fluids and secretions in or from a child being through the passage in the inner flexible catheter, the outer flexible catheter maintaining its shape in use effective to prevent the inner flexible catheter and hence the outer catheter from being forced or sucked against the child's vaginal walls during such injection of fluid, aspiration and withdrawal of vaginal fluid. The method describes the use of the apparatus in obtaining the fluids and secretions.

Abstract: A device is disclosed to facilitate self-catheterization in women who have an atonic bladder. The device comprises a body portion for insertion in the vagina, a locating member which lies substantially at right angles to the body portion and is intended to engage against the outside of the vagina, and a handle member on the locating member. The body portion has or is associated with a passageway one end of which is intended to engage against the mouth of the urethra and the other end of which is intended to receive the leading end of a catheter which can thus be guided into the urethra to facilitate self-catheterization. A locating and measuring device for use in the construction or selection of the self-catheterization device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for controlling urinary incontinence in a human female, comprising a resilient pad, configured to seal against and occlude the urethral meatus of the user. The pad includes a base that is adapted to seat against the vestibule of the user's vulva, anteriorly of the vaginal orifice, thereby covering the urethral meatus. An adhesive is provided on the base to seal against and occlude the urethral meatus, and to retain the pad in place against the vestibule. The pad has lateral edges that fit inside the labia minora of the user, to aid in retention of the device. The surface of the pad opposite the base is formed into a longitudinal stiffening ridge that extends into the interlabial space. A handle is attached to the ridge to facilitate removal.

Abstract: A catamenial tampon is assembled from a cylindrical pledget of compressible absorbent material, such as rayon or cotton, and a rectangular blank of foraminous sheet material. The central portion of the blank is placed adjacent one end face of the pledget, and the pledget is then pushed axially through a tubular die with its one end face leading so that the annular portion of the blank around the central portion is draped around the entire peripheral surface of the pledget and the converted blank forms a cup with an annular rim extending beyond the other end face of the pledget. The rim is then folded over the other end face of the pledget, and the resulting assembly is provided with a removal cord subsequent to simultaneous reduction of the diameters of the cup and pledget to complete the making of a tampon which is ready for use or for insertion into the tube of an applicator.

Abstract: A female urinary incontinence device including a periurethral cup, an external pad of soft, flexible, resilient material, and a compressible tubular elastic bellows extending between a lower opening of the cup and the inlet to a fluid discharge passage extending through the pad. The discharge passage extends forwardly (anteriorly) in a generally horizontal direction along the sagittal midplane of the pad, and the undersurface of the pad is provided with laterally-disposed and generally-horizontal surface portions, and preferably also a coplanar medial surface portion, for distributing forces and preventing inversion of the pad when a wearer is seated. A flexible discharge tube has one end detachably connected to the pad's discharge passage by means of a tubular coupling having an insert portion received in the outlet of that passage.

Abstract: The disclosed device comprises a cup-shaped receptacle for collecting urine from the orifice of the female user's urethra. Such receptacle has a bottom wall portion and an annular side wall portion projecting upwardly therefrom and terminating in a soft rounded compliant annular lip portion for sealing engagement with the user's external vestibular tissues around such orifice. A drain tube portion connects with the bottom wall portion. The side wall portion is hollow and comprises spaced inner and outer shells merging at thier upper extremities to form such rounded lip portion. The inner and outer shells, including the lip portion, are made of a thin highly flexible compliant silicone elastomer or other similar material.

Abstract: A condom designed for use by females includes an oblong tube formed of a pliant, thin material impervious to spermatozoa and pathogenic organisms, and including a closed distal end. The proximal end is open, and may be provided with a semi-rigid retaining ring secured to the open end to maintain the opening. The proximal portion of the tube is rolled about the retaining ring to reduce the size of the device in a vending package. The invention includes a tampon-like lubricated applicator having a soft, broad tip portion received within the closed distal end, and a tubular handle extending distally therefrom. The applicator is adapted to facilitate vaginal insertion of the condom, with the retaining ring having a sufficient diameter to prevent the proximal end from passing into the vagina.

Abstract: A device for alleviating problems associated with urinary incontinence in female patients that has an external, magnetically retained, elastically expandable receptacle which includes a rim that can be formed to fit between the labia of a female circumscribing the urthra outlet with a rear portion inserted in the vagina using magnetically attractable elements implanted at the foward portion of the labia. The set of implanted elments mate with a set of elements mounted on the receptacle rim and the sets of elements are magnetically attractable to each other. Suitable sealing jels can be used around the edges of the rim. The receptacle includes an anterior collection cylinder, which is folded when empty and which is sufficiently expandable so that it will unfold and hold voided volumes adequately to permit rapid voiding without causing pressures that break the seals of the rim. The collection cylinder can be drained when convenient.

Abstract: A prophylactic device is described which is adapted to be worn by a person to prevent the transmission of disease and sperm during sexual intercourse. The device may be adapted for use by a female person or by a male person. The device includes an elongated hollow pouch which has an open end and a closed end. The pouch has a thin wall member which is flexible and elastic. A continuous flange member is attached to the open end of the pouch and extends outwardly around the opening in the pouch. Attachment means secured to the flange attaches the device to the person wearing it. The device may be in the form of a garment worn by the person.

Abstract: A breathable barrier which includes:A. a first layer which is a porous sheet having a first side and a second side; andB. a second layer joined to the first side of the first layer, which second layer is a continuous film of a polymeric latex material, in which:the film is not microporous in that it is substantially free of voids which connect the two surfaces of the film; andthe film has an average thickness of from about 10 to about 250 microns;wherein the first layer side of the second layer is intimately comingled with at least some of the fibers at the surface of the first side of the first layer, none of the pores at the surface of the first side of the first layer are so large as to significantly adversely affect the barrier properties of the breathable barrier as a consequence of the comingling, and the breathable barrier has a water vapor transmission rate at 37.degree. C. and about 50 percent relative humidity of from about 100 to about 2,200 g/m.sup.2 /24 hours and is impermeable to 0.

Abstract: A thin-walled, condom-like tubular protective device for protection against the transfer of infectious matter during sexual intercourse is disclosed. The condom-like device has an open end a collar-shaped outwardly extending portion with means for radially stretching the collar and has an inner diameter which is sufficiently large to permit movement of a penis with respect to the protective device during coitus.

Abstract: A portable catheter for use by females suffering from urinary incontinency. A short catheter is held in place extending a short distance into the urethra by means which permits the wearer substantially full freedom of movement. A relatively stiff shield is fastened to an undergarment in a manner holding the shield in position adjacent to the wearer's urethral and vaginal openings. A plug means is fastened to the shield in a manner permitting it to be inserted into the vagina to help hold the shield in position. The generally tubular catheter includes locking washer means riding in a slot in said shield allowing the spacing between the catheter and vaginal plug to be varied to accommodate varying physical dimensions. A drain plug extends from the external end of the catheter to drain urine to a conventional collection bag which may, for example, be secured to the user's leg.

Abstract: A catamenial device which is a tampon having a hollow or loosely packed central area and a forward end which flares open to a funnel configuration upon insertion into the vaginal tract of the user to cap the cervix and thereby direct menstrual fluid into the interior thereof. The tampon is removed by pulling a drawstring which is also a pursing string. The string first closes the forward end before exerting removal force on the tampon. Also, the body of the tampon is encased in a fluid barrier so that fluid is captured and retained within the tampon and absorption by the tampon from the vaginal wall is prevented.

Abstract: A female contraceptive, cervical cover, including a dome-like main portion which is shaped to cover the cervix, long extending lips which form a one-way valve to permit waste material to flow out of the cervix and an outwardly biased collar which holds the cover securely to the walls of the vagina surrounding the cervix, without exerting any substantial pressure on the cervix.