Abstract: The present invention relates to sanitary protection article that is structured and arranged to maintain menstrual fluid within the vagina and thereby prevent the menstrual fluid from escaping the body. The present invention also relates to a method of selectively maintaining menstrual fluid within the vagina by means of using such article.

Abstract: The present invention relates to sanitary protection article that is structured and arranged to maintain menstrual fluid within the vagina and thereby prevent the menstrual fluid from escaping the body. The present invention also relates to a method of selectively maintaining menstrual fluid within the vagina by means of using such article.

Abstract: A urinary incontinence device includes a working portion having an insertion equivalent diameter ranging from about 10 to about 25 mm and a use equivalent diameter ranging from about 25 to about 35 mm under an expansion pressure of about 20 to about 150 cm H2O.

Abstract: A device includes a somewhat cylindrical working portion having an initial equivalent diameter ranging from about 20 to about 170 mm, an insertion equivalent diameter ranging from about 5 to about 25 mm, a use equivalent diameter ranging from about 20 to about 40 mm and a length ranging from about 20 to about 60 mm; and an anchoring portion extending beyond the working portion and having an initial equivalent diameter ranging from about 20 to about 60 mm, an insertion equivalent diameter ranging from about 10 to about 25 mm, a use equivalent diameter ranging from about 20 to about 60 mm and a length ranging from about 10 to about 50 mm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to sanitary protection article that is structured and arranged to maintain menstrual fluid within the vagina and thereby prevent the menstrual fluid from escaping the body. The present invention also relates to a method of selectively maintaining menstrual fluid within the vagina by means of using such article.

Abstract: An applicator for a self-expanding intravaginal device has a barrel and a plunger that can substantially contain the self-expanding intravaginal device without significant insertion barrel distortion while maintaining comfortable applicator insertion. The barrel has an insertion end, an opposed gripper end, and a central portion therebetween, and it is arranged and configured to substantially contain the self-expanding intravaginal device. The plunger is in telescoping relation with the barrel, and it is arranged and configured to expel the self-expanding intravaginal device out of the insertion end of the barrel when the plunger is pushed into the gripper end of the barrel. A plurality of flexible petals substantially closes the insertion end of the barrel, and the central portion of the barrel has a load to 3 mm deflection of at least about 15 Newtons. Other aspects of the invention include a self-expanding intravaginal urinary incontinence system, and methods of making the applicator.

Abstract: An applicator for urinary incontinence devices has an insertion barrel, a deployment plunger, and an adjustable insertion depth indicator. The applicators are useful to correct for a consumer's body mass index to ensure that urinary incontinence devices are placed in the appropriate position to be effective.

Abstract: A method for in vitro testing of an absorbent article includes the steps of inserting the absorbent article into a radiolucent simulated body cavity, placing the radiolucent simulated body cavity into a radiolucent pressure chamber, placing the radiolucent pressure chamber into a radiological device, pressurizing the radiolucent pressure chamber to a predetermined pressure, providing test liquid through the test liquid port and to the absorbent article, acquiring data relating to the absorbent article and the test liquid via the radiological device and an associated computing device, and analyzing the acquired data. The radiological pressure chamber includes a simulated body cavity arranged and configured to accommodate the absorbent article, a test liquid port, and a pressure control system. The radiolucent test device has at least one radio scanning element rotatable about radiolucent test device support having the pressure chamber disposed thereon.

Abstract: An intravaginal device has a working portion (e.g., intravaginal urinary incontinence device suppository, tampon) and an anchoring portion comprising at least one member extending beyond at least one end of the working portion to maintain the working portion in place during use.

Abstract: An intravaginal device has a working portion (e.g., intravaginal urinary incontinence device suppository, tampon) and an anchoring portion comprising at least one member extending beyond at least one end of the working portion to maintain the working portion in place during use.

Abstract: An intravaginal device has a working portion (e.g., intravaginal urinary incontinence device suppository, tampon) and an anchoring portion comprising at least one member extending beyond at least one end of the working portion to maintain the working portion in place during use.

Abstract: An intravaginal device has a fluid storage element having a longitudinal axis and is in fluid communication with at least one fluid transport element. The at least one fluid transport element has a first plate having an outwardly oriented surface and an inwardly oriented surface and a second plate coupled to the first plate. The second plate has a first surface disposed and maintained in facing relationship with the inwardly oriented surface of the first plate and an opposite surface. The second plate is capable of separating from the first plate sufficiently to provide inter-plate capillary action. The at least one fluid transport element is bendable about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fluid storage element.

Abstract: An applicator for urinary incontinence devices has an insertion barrel, a deployment plunger, and an adjustable insertion depth indicator. The applicators are useful to correct for a consumer's body mass index to ensure that urinary incontinence devices are placed in the appropriate position to be effective.

Abstract: An intravaginal device has a working portion (e.g., intravaginal urinary incontinence device suppository, tampon) and an anchoring portion comprising at least one member extending beyond at least one end of the working portion to maintain the working portion in place during use.

Abstract: An intravaginal device has a working portion (e.g., intravaginal urinary incontinence device suppository, tampon) and an anchoring portion comprising at least one member extending beyond at least one end of the working portion to maintain the working portion in place during use.

Abstract: An intravaginal device has a fluid storage element having a longitudinal axis and is in fluid communication with at least one fluid transport element. The at least one fluid transport element has a first plate having an outwardly oriented surface and an inwardly oriented surface and a second plate coupled to the first plate. The second plate has a first surface disposed and maintained in facing relationship with the inwardly oriented surface of the first plate and an opposite surface. The second plate is capable of separating from the first plate sufficiently to provide inter-plate capillary action. The at least one fluid transport element is bendable about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fluid storage element.

Abstract: A method of capturing bodily fluid intravaginally providing an intravaginal device that has a fluid storage element having a longitudinal axis and is in fluid communication with at least one fluid transport element. The method involves providing at least one fluid transport element that is bendable about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fluid storage element and positioned within a human vagina.

Abstract: A urinary incontinence device applicator has an insertion barrel; a plunger slidable within the insertion barrel; means to indicate appropriate insertion depth of the insertion barrel associated therewith into a user's vagina; and means to indicate appropriate orientation of the insertion barrel associated therewith.

Abstract: An intravaginal device has an insertion end, a withdrawal end, a longitudinal axis, and a device interior, and it includes a first structural material formed into a device frame and a second cushioning material having a thickness surrounding portions of the device frame. The first structural material includes a working portion disposed proximate the withdrawal end and an anchoring portion extending therefrom disposed proximate the insertion end. The device frame includes interconnected elongate elements having a maximum cross-section of less than about 5 mm and a longitudinal axis. The device frame has a plurality of primary bearing surfaces arranged and configured to bear on vaginal tissue during insertion and use, and the thickness of the cushioning material on the device frame is greater on the primary bearing surfaces than on surfaces of the device frame disposed toward the device interior. The device further includes a withdrawal element operatively connected to the working portion.

Abstract: A method of capturing bodily fluid in a mammalian body includes inserting the fluid management device into the mammalian body and transporting bodily fluid. The bodily fluid is transferred via at least one fluid transport element that is 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.