Abstract: A method and closure device for performing a routine biopsy procedure without the use of sutures or butterfly bandages. The method and closure device controls bleeding, repairs the biopsy site, reduces the likelihood of inducing excessive scarring and reduces the handling of tissue. The closure device is comprised of a circular sponge made from an absorbable foam material which swells and fills up the defect left by biopsy and an applicator for implanting the sponge into the biopsy site. The sponge is pre-cut to a diameter which approximately corresponds to the diameter of the punch which is used for excising a biopsy specimen. After the specimen is excised the sponge is implanted into the space from which the specimen was taken. A slight pressure is applied to the sponge for approximately 30 to 60 seconds to stop any excess bleeding.

Abstract: A tampon applicator is disclosed for inserting tampons into a woman's vagina. The tampon applicator is an elongated, tubular member made from an injection moldable or extrudable material. The tampon applicator comprises a water-dispersible thermoplastic polyester containing an ionic metal salt substituent. The tampon applicator is constructed from a water-dissipatable polymer having carbonyloxy-linking groups in a linear molecular structure. The polymer comprises a reaction product of at least one difunctional dicarboxylic acid, at least one diol, and at least one difunctional sulfomonomer containing at least one metal sulfonate group attached to an aromatic nucleus having the functional group carboxyl. The tampon applicator is water dispersible, compostable, dimensionally stable, and substantially nonsticky when contacted by mucous membranes or other moist human tissue.

Abstract: A tampon applicator has an outer cylindrical member for containing a tampon and an inner arcuate member which is arranged to lie between the inner surface of the outer member and the tampon and to be slidably moved within the outer member to act as a piston for ejecting the tampon. One end of the inner member is adapted to engage the tampon and has a shoulder region. The outer member is provided with a first inward projection to engage the tampon and prevent rearward movement thereof and at least one second inward projection intermediate the first projection and the rear end of she cylindrical member to engage the shoulder region of the inner member and prevent complete withdrawal of she inner member from the outer member. The inward projections comprises at least one flap for example a pair of flaps or an inwardly deformed arcuate strip.

Abstract: A multifunctional device for use in an endoscopically performed operative procedure of the type where a narrow portal is established through the skin to provide access to an operative site and the multifunctional device is introduced to the operative site through the narrow portal. The multifunctional device is formed of an absorbent material, preferably expandable, having a substantially rigid dry state prior to introduction to the operative site and a soft, flexible wet state after absorbing fluids. The absorbent material can be formed with a spine therein of either a continuous or a discontinuous, segmented construction, and the spine can be branched and tubular or solid.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for delivering a vessel plug into a wound or incision in a living patient are described. The apparatus includes an expandable porous mesh mounted at the distal end of an elongate catheter. The expandable mesh may be positioned within a blood vessel or a target organ and expanded. When the mesh member is in an expanded condition, the mesh can be positioned adjacent the opening within the vessel or organ and a vessel plug can be inserted into the wound. The expanded mesh prevents the advancement of the vessel plug into the vessel or target organ, thereby avoiding possible thrombosis or stenosis within the vessel at the wound or incision site. Occlusion of the blood vessel during treatment is avoided by providing the expandable mesh with a porous construction which allows blood or other body fluids to flow therethrough while the apparatus is being used within the body of the patient.

Abstract: This invention provides biodegradable tampon applicators adapted for disposal in water-base toilet systems. This invention also provides plasticized starch compositions for use in fabrication of tampon applicators and methods for fabrication thereof.

Abstract: An insertion device 10 for inserting material 13 into a body cavity is provided. An elongate, tubular holder 12, shaped for insertion into the body cavity, is adapted to hold the material to be inserted. The holder 12 has a material expulsion end portion 14 and a plunger 20, which is telescopically and slidably mounted in the holder, which is adapted to expel the material from the holder when pushed manually into the holder. The holder, and preferably the plunger as well, comprises an outer paper layer 28 and a polymer layer, preferably a cellophane layer 30, adhered to the paper layer on its outer surface, the layer having adequate water resistance to maintain its integrity during insertion into the body cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus for blocking a vein branch is provided with an outer tube having a tubular passage opened at its distal and proximal ends and a bent distal end portion, an inner tube slidably inserted in the outer tube so as to be projected and retracted from the opening formed in the distal end portion of the outer tube and having a storing portion filled with a vein-branch blocking member, and a push-out member for pushing out the blocking member in the vein branch.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for sealing a perforation in the wall of, for example, a blood vessel. The device is in the form of a two part closure which seals the hole by clamping the tissue surrounding the hole from both the inside and the outside of the vessel. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, two rivet portions are provided which are bayonet or screw threadedly interlocked to clamp the vessel wall about the perforation. An alternate embodiment applies heat to couple the rivet parts as well as to cauterize the wound site. Heat may also advantageously be used to separate the rivet from its delivery system.

Abstract: This invention relates to a suppository applicator adapted for administering medicament in a suppository form to a body cavity. More particularly, it relates to a one-piece injection molded article having a main body portion and a flexible chamber whereby the flexible chamber is inverted in use to expel the medicament from the applicator into a body cavity.

Abstract: A soft tissue closure system for closing a percutaneous puncture site or soft tissue voids, its method of manufacture and method of use are disclosed. The system comprises a delivery means and a self-expandable, resorbable implant disposed within the delivery means in a compressed configuration. Upon release of the implant member from the system within a soft tissue void, the implant member self-expands to conform to the shape of the soft tissue void and seals the void.

Abstract: A vascular plug delivery system for in vivo delivery of a vascular plug to the site of a puncture in a blood vessel. The device utilizes flashback to ensure that the plug is properly positioned adjacent the puncture prior to delivery of such plug, thereby ensuring complete hemostasis of the puncture.

Abstract: A closure for sealing a percutaneous puncture in an vessel, e.g., an artery, or lumen. The puncture also includes a puncture tract in which a portion of the closure is to be located. The closure comprises an elongated rigid anchor member formed of a resorbable material, a sealing member formed of a resorbable material, e.g., compressed collagen plug, and a thin resorbable material filament, e.g., a suture, connecting the anchor member and the sealing member. The anchor member is located in the interior of the vessel, with the sealing member being located in the puncture tract. An elongated reinforcing filament or ribbon, formed of a resorbable material, is incorporated in the elongated anchor member to prevent any portion of it from breaking away in the event that the anchor is loaded beyond its breaking point.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus which facilitates endoscopic deployment and positioning of surgical elements adjacent to body tissue for subsequent securement thereto. The surgical element is wound within a tubular sleeve and then extruded from the distal end of the tubular sleeve. A method is also disclosed for deploying and positioning surgical elements using the apparatus of the present invention.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a swab for use in laparoscopy is provided. The swab comprises an outer, generally tubular shank with a handle or gripping end and a working end. An inner shaft is slidably received in the shank and has a working end and a gripping end. A changeable, disposable absorbent tip is operably connected to the working end of the shaft. The swab includes a biasing means at the gripping ends of the shank and shaft for urging the absorbent tip toward the gripping ends.

Abstract: A disposable applicator for introducing medicine into a body cavity is disclosed including a barrel and a plunger slidably positioned within the barrel. The barrel and plunger are preferably formed of a plurality of spirally wound paper layers. The plunger includes first and second opposing ends. The first end of the plunger is completely closed and serves as the working surface of the plunger. The second end of the plunger is substantially closed by inwardly crimped portions to prevent the accidental or inadvertent filling of the hollow plunger with a gel-like medicine rather than the barrel. A predetermined number of applicators, such as seven, are preferably packaged within a tubular container.

Abstract: A system, a closure, and method of use for determining the position of a blood vessel via a percutaneous puncture and for sealing the percutaneous puncture in the blood vessel. The system includes an introducer sheath and associated positioning device, a hemostatic puncture closure, and a deployment instrument. The positioning device enables the introducer sheath to be positioned at a desired position within the vessel. The deployment instrument includes a tubular carrier storing the closure. The carrier has a distally located free end to be extended via an introducer through the puncture and its associated tract. The closure comprises a radiopaque rigid anchor, a compressed collagen plug, and a thin filament connecting the two in a pulley-like arrangement. The carrier ejects the anchor through the introducer and puncture and then draws it against the free end of the introducer.

Abstract: An improved tampon applicator for insertion of a tampon into a body cavity is provided, including a paper tampon holder tube having an expulsion end dimensioned for insertion into the body cavity and including a plurality of contiguous segments separated by slits, and a plunger, telescopically and slidably mounted in the holder distal to the expulsion end and adapted to expel the tampon from the holder when pushed manually into the holder. As the tampon is expelled, the segments bend open at a hinge region. The segments of the improved applicator bend outwardly during expulsion with significantly reduced applied force, improving user comfort. In one aspect, the tampon holder includes a plurality of small cuts extending circumferentially from the slits through the paper in the vicinity of the hinge region. The cuts reduce the width of the petal segments, and thereby reduce the bending moment and rigidity at the hinge region.

Abstract: A device and method of closing an incision or puncture in a patient by inserting a vessel plug into the incision or puncture until the distal end of the vessel plug is adjacent to the outer lumen of the blood vessel or target organ so that the vessel plug does not obstruct the flow of fluid through the blood vessel or target organ. The precise positioning of the vessel plug in the incision or puncture is accomplished through the use of a balloon catheter or a cylindrical insertion assembly having a proximal plunger member associated therewith.

Abstract: A tampon assembly adapted carrying a for medicament for selective expulsion during use has a tubular inserter, closed at one end, on which an elongated tampon body is mounted by means of a longitudinal bore extending through the body so as to slidably engage the exterior of the inserter at the closed end. A medicament disposed in the remainder of the bore is expelled from the bore by longitudinal relative movement between the inserter and the tampon body along the bore. The tampon body is comprised of an absorbent material so as to have a porous outer surface formed in the shape of radially-disposed longitudinal pleats and porous inner surface formed by the bore, between which a plurality of perforations extend, with string means attached to the tampon body for use in its removal after use.

Abstract: A curved tampon applicator and a process for forming the applicator and assembling an absorbent tampon into the applicator is disclosed. The curved tampon applicator can facilitate placement of an absorbent tampon into a woman's vagina. The curved tampon applicator contains first and second arcuately shaped tubular members telescopically joined together. The first member has a stepped outer configuration with an enlarged portion designed to contain an absorbent tampon joined to a finger-grip portion. The enlarged portion is formed on a centerline having a first radius of curvature. The second member is formed on a centerline having a radius of curvature which is different from the first radius of curvature. The second member is sized and configured to slide within the finger-grip portion while being restricted from rotating therein. The second member contains at least one flared end which is sized to prevent separation of the second member from the first member.

Abstract: A surgical packing dispenser comprises an elongate tube having a housing mounted on its proximal end. A continuous roll of sterilized packing material is disposed within the housing, and a free end of the packing material extends distally through the tube. The sterilized packing material is mounted on the spindle, and a handle is provided to rotate the spindle to feed material from the roll down the dispenser tube. In this way, relatively lengthy amounts of the packing material can be dispensed during laparoscopic and other endoscopic surgical procedures.

Abstract: A system, a closure, and method of sealing a percutaneous puncture in an artery. The system includes a conventional introducer sheath, a hemostatic puncture closure, and an instrument for deploying the closure. The instrument includes a tubular carrier storing the closure. The carrier has a distally located free end to be extended through the puncture and its associated tract. The closure comprises a rigid anchor, a compressed collagen plug, and a thin filament connect the two in a pulley-like arrangement. The carrier is operated to eject the plug through the puncture and to then draw it against the free end of the introducer. The instrument and introducer are then withdrawn together to pull the anchor against the tissue contiguous with the puncture on the inside of the artery.

Abstract: This invention relates to a suppository applicator adapted for administering medicament in a suppository form to a body cavity. More particularly, it relates to a onepiece injection molded article having a main body portion and a flexible chamber whereby the flexible chamber is inverted in use to expel the medicament from the applicator into a body cavity.

Abstract: A surgical gauze for use in combination with a trocar for laparoscopic surgery comprises a unitary body of surgical gauze of a size to fit through a trocar for use in surgical procedures, an elongated flexible radio-opaque tether of about 24 inches in length connected at one end to the body of gauze, and an anchoring device of a size too large for passage through a trocar connected to the other end of the tether.

Abstract: Closure devices and methods of use for sealing a small, e.g., percutaneous, incisions or punctures. The closure device may take many forms an basically comprises a somewhat elongated plug having a deformable distal end portion including a free end to which a thin retraction filament is connected. The closure device is arranged to be introduced into the body of the being through the incision or puncture by an introducer so that the distal portion of the plug is located on one side of said tissue and its proximal portion is located on the other side of that tissue, with the filament extending through the incision or puncture. The filament is arranged to be grasped and pulled in the proximal direction to deform the distal portion of the plug so that it cannot pass back through the incision or puncture, whereupon the puncture or incision is sealed by the deformed distal portion of the plug.

Abstract: A device and method of closing an incision or puncture in a patient by inserting a vessel plug into the incision or puncture until the distal end of the vessel plug is adjacent to the outer lumen of the blood vessel or target organ so that the vessel plug does not obstruct the flow of fluid through the blood vessel or target organ. The precise positioning of the vessel plug in the incision or puncture is accomplished through the use of a balloon catheter or a cylindrical insertion assembly having a proximal plunger member associated therewith.

Abstract: A curved tampon applicator and a process for forming the applicator and assembling an absorbent tampon into the applicator is disclosed. The curved tampon applicator can facilitate placement of an absorbent tampon into a woman's vagina. The curved tampon applicator contains first and second arcuately shaped tubular members telescopically joined together. The first member has a stepped outer configuration with an enlarged portion designed to contain an absorbent tampon joined to a finger-grip portion. The enlarged portion is formed on a centerline having a first radius of curvature. The second member is formed on a centerline having a radius of curvature which is different from the first radius of curvature. The second member is sized and configured to slide within the finger-grip portion while being restricted from rotating therein. The second member contains at least one flared end which is sized to prevent separation of the second member from the first member.

Abstract: An injector head forming a hollow cone of spreadable leaves is partially inserted into a minimum size eye incision to inject a temporarily folded intraocular lens into the eye without stressing the incision. An injector device having a holder with a bore holding the lens in folded state is connected to the cone, and a plunger of the device inserted in the bore pushes the lens into and through the cone for controlled gradual injection into the eye and simultaneous controlled gradual unfolding therein.

Abstract: A device and method of closing an incision or puncture in a patient by inserting a vessel plug into the incision or puncture until the distal end of the vessel plug is adjacent to the outer lumen of the blood vessel or target organ so that the vessel plug does not obstruct the flow of fluid through the blood vessel or target organ. The precise positioning of the vessel plug in the incision or puncture is accomplished through the use of a balloon catheter or a cylindrical insertion assembly having a proximal plunger member associated therewith.

Abstract: A tampon has an accommodation barrel and an absorbent material housed within the accommodation barrel. The accommodation barrel in this tampon includes a flexible cylindrical sheet portion and a rigid cylindrical portion connected to the flexible cylindrical sheet portion. A front end portion of the flexible cylindrical sheet portion is connected with one end of a take-out device having a length longer than the accommodation barrel for removal of the accommodation barrel while the absorbent material remains positioned as inserted into a vagina.

Abstract: A packing device for use in endoscopic operative procedures is formed of an elongate strip of absorbent, preferably expandable material having a rigid, dry state of a size to permit passage through a narrow endoscopic portal to an internal operative site and having a soft wet state when body fluids are absorbed thereby such that the packing device exposes and isolates tissue to be treated and protects adjacent tissue at the operative site while, in the dry state, is sufficiently rigid to manipulate tissue. A method of packing an internal operative site during an endoscopically performed procedures includes inserting a rigid strip of absorbent, preferably expandable, material through a narrow endoscopic portal and positioning the strip of material at the operative site such that at least a portion of the strip of material absorbs body fluids to become soft and pliable.

Abstract: An instrument and methods of making and use for sealing a small, e.g., percutaneous, incisions or punctures. The instrument in the form of a tubular member having a plug therein. The tubular member includes a proximally located piston and a distally located portion having an open free end for introduction into the incision or puncture. The plug comprises a cord and a thin filament, with the cord being formed of a resorbable material and being folded in two to form an apex portion and a pair of wing portions extending therefrom. The filament is secured to the apex portion. The plug is located within the tubular member so that the apex portion is disposed adjacent the free end and with the wing portions and the filament extending toward the proximally located portion. The plug is then expelled partially from the tubular member so that the apex portion extends through the incision or puncture.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a tampon applicator having a tampon for physiological use to absorb woman's menstrual blood, and comprising a rotatable member connected to a trailing end of the applicator and rotated to thereby cause the tampon to be protruded from and retracted into an outer cylindrical member of a case. The tampon in its spared state is thus held within the outer cylindrical member so that the applicator can be made small-sized and easy to carry. The tampon applicator is easily used by simply rotating only the rotatable member, without fear of staining fingers wherein protrusion of the tampon out of the case can be adjusted by rotation of the rotatable member so that a user can protrude the tampon to a desired length most appropriate to her before she inserts the tampon in her vagina, whereby she can use the applicator with a reduced feeling of disorder or incongruity because the tampon is inserted together with the case after protruded therefrom.

Abstract: An instrument, a closure, and method of use for sealing an opening, e.g., a percutaneous incision or puncture, in a living being. The instrument includes a tubular carrier storing the closure. The carrier has a distally located free end to be extended through the opening. The closure comprises an anchoring portion, a sealing portion and a thin filament connected therebetween. The instrument is operated to eject the anchoring portion of the closure through the incision or puncture and to then draw that portion against the free end of the carrier. The instrument is then withdrawn to pull the anchoring portion of the closure against the tissue contiguous with the incision or puncture. Further withdrawing of the instrument draws the sealing portion of the closure out of the carrier, whereupon it moves with respect to the anchoring portion and into engagement with the tissue contiguous with the opening on the opposite side of the anchoring portion to seal it. Signals are produced to indicate proper operation.

Abstract: A tampon applicator which is biodegradable and water-dispersible is provided. The applicator is formed by injection molding a modified poly(vinyl alcohol) which is self-plasticizing. In certain preferred embodiments, the modified poly(vinyl alcohol has the following structure: ##STR1## in which R is hydrogen or methyl, n is a number from 1-1,000, x is 50-99.9 mole percent, y is 0-50 mole percent, and z is 0.001-50 mole percent. Tampon applicators made from this material have been found to be rapidly dispersible in water, to support heavy fungal growth, and to have a commercially acceptable outer surface, i.e., a surface which is not sticky, slippery, or slimy prior to contact of the applicator with water.

Abstract: A two piece compactly packaged application for a tampon which includes a discrete first member and a discrete second member, the first and the second members being of comparable length. The first and the second members are initially packaged in a side by side manner. The applicator also includes a plurality of spaced apart tabs on either the first member or the second member for retaining one of the first and the second members in the other of the first and the second members when the members are assembled together in their operative position. The method assembly of the applicator includes grasping one of the first and the second members, manually aligning the first and the second members and axially moving the first and the second members together so that the first and the second members slide relative to each other and are maintained telescopically in operative position.

Abstract: A shortened tampon applicator of the telescoping tube type employs an ejector tube to store a tampon at its distal end and an outer tube disposed by a slip fit thereover. Directionally-locking inward flaps fixed within the distal end of said outer tube engage the distal end of the tampon stored in the ejector tube thus securing the latter relative to said outer tube while permitting only distal expulsion therefrom. The ejector tube advantageously has inwardly biased short stubby fingers at its distal end which catch behind the proximal end of the tampon. Preferably, the applicator tubes are both molded form soft plastic and have an improved restraining means for interlocking the two tubes. This means comprises a stopping ring and a shorter adjacent inner stabilizing ring positioned to project from the inner surface of the outer tube at its proximal end and an axially overlapping a third ring of ribs positioned around the outer surface of the ejector tube near its distal end.

Abstract: A compact and short tampon applicator is formed of an outer barrel which surrounds a tampon-holding inner tubular plunger which is slidable within the outer barrel. A portion of the wall of the plunger defines a pair of hinged panels which snap into the interior of the plunger in response to an inwardly directed radial force. This inward force is supplied by a tab on the barrel, once the plunger has been retracted sufficiently out of the barrel to register the hinged panels with the tab. The applicator is readied for use by retracting the plunger rearwardly behind the tampon, sufficiently to cause the hinged panels to engage the tab on the inner surface of the barrel to snap into the plunger. After insertion of the barrel into the catamenial canal, the plunger is pressed inward, back into the barrel, to enable its inwardly snapped panels to engage the rear of the tampon and to eject the tampon through the front of the barrel.

Abstract: This invention concerns a disposable single dose syringe type applicator in the form of an elongated body that comprises two integrally joined sections which can be separated by breaking. One section is a tubular barrel section which constitutes a medicament reservoir having two openings. The other section is a rod-like section, which constitutes a plunger, which, by reason of being integrally joined to the barrel section seals one opening of the reservoir. The reservoir section is prefilled with a medicament. At the other opening end of the medicament reservoir, through which it is prefilled with medicament, there is arranged an easily removable sealing means. After separation, the plunger section slidably fits into the reservoir in such a way that essentially the whole medicament content of the reservoir is ejected therefrom when the plunger is inserted into the reservoir.

Abstract: A nasal pack syringe is provided that includes a barrel, a plunger, an expandable, absorbent packing material, and a suture for retrieval of the packing material. The barrel is substantially rectangular in cross-section. The dimensions of the barrel and packing material are influenced by the dimensions of the human nasal cavity. The barrel and packing material are of sufficient length to allow penetration as far as the posterior wall of the nasopharynx. The barrel has ribs projecting from an interior wall thereof to facilitate movement of the packing material and a notch for holding the suture to avoid any obstruction during the movement of the packing material relative to the barrel. The plunger has a split end to assure a tight fit between the plunger and the barrel. In using the nasal pack syringe, the plunger is moved to push the packing material from the barrel into the patient's nasal cavity. The packing material expands upon contact with blood.

Abstract: A shortened tampon applicator of the telescoping tube type employs an ejector tube to store a tampon in its distal end and an outer tube disposed by a slip fit thereover to thus shorten the overall length of the tampon and applicator assembly. Directionally-locking inward flaps fixed within the distal end of said outer tube engage the distal end of the tampon stored in the ejector tube thus securing the latter relative to said outer tube while permitting only distal expulsion therefrom. The ejector tube preferably has inwardly biased flexible portions at its distal end which serve to catch behind the proximal end of the tampon. In the preferred version, the inwardly biased portions are unique undulations at the blunt distal end of the ejector tube which advantageously cooperatively functions with a tampon having an enlarged tail.

Abstract: The invention provides a tampon tube that is formed of a series of layers of paper, adhesive sealing means and superabsorbent material. The method of formation generally is to provide each of these materials in a sheet form and wind the tube convolutely with heat sealing during winding.

Abstract: A device for sealing an opening or puncture in the wall of a blood vessel, duct or other lumen of a living being. The device includes an elongated tubular body having an outlet at the distal end thereof and which is arranged to be inserted, such as percutaneously, through the puncture in the blood vessel so that the outlet is located within the vessel's interior. An expandible closure is disposed within the tubular body and is formed so as to be held in a compact configuration therein. The tubular body also includes ejecting means for forcing the closure out of the outlet into the interior of the blood vessel, whereupon the closure automatically expands to form an enlarged engagement surface. A retraction filament is secured to the closure for pulling it to the puncture after the tubular body has been withdrawn from the puncture so that the engagement surface of the closure means hemostatically engages the inner surface of the blood vessel contiguous with the puncture.

Abstract: A shortened tampon applicator of the telescoping tube type employs an ejector tube to store a tampon in its distal end and an outer tube disposed by a slip fit thereover to thus shorten the overall length of the tampon and applicator assembly. Directionally-locking inward flaps fixed within the distal end of said outer tube engage the distal end of the tampon stored in the ejector tube thus securing the latter relative to said outer tube while permitting only distal expulsion therefrom. The ejector tube preferably has inwardly biased flexible portions at its distal end which serve to catch behind the proximal end of the tampon. In the preferred version, the inwardly biased portions are unique undulations at the blunt distal end of the ejector tube.

Abstract: The insertion and removal of tampons from a body cavity is facilitated by the use of an inserter equipped with a moveable and removable fluid reservoir at the place of tampon exit and conduits which carry a portion of the fluid to the other end of the tampon. The fluid can be a lubricant, a medicant or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Inner and outer convolutely wound cardboard tubes of a tampon applicator are formed with a different number of ply windings.

Abstract: A tampon or suppository insertion applicator comprising an insertion sleeve and an injection slide whose insertable length is not greater than that of the sleeve and which has means for preventing further insertion at one end.

Abstract: This invention relates to a coated paper outer tube for a tube tampon providing low friction inner and outer surfaces after the tube has been formed by convolutely winding.

Abstract: An apparatus for insertion of an intravaginal article into a mammalian female comprises a sleeve, a tube movably received within the sleeve, and a plunger adapted to release an intravaginal article from the tube. An anterior portion of the sleeve is adapted to be inserted within a segment of the reproductive tract of the female that is adjacent to the vulva and an anterior portion of the tube is adapted to be inserted within the tract to a point deeper than the segment, such that contaminants in the segment are not carried to the deeper point by the tube. A method for inserting an intravaginal article is also described.