CA1123155A

CA1123155A - Catamenial tampon

Info

Publication number: CA1123155A
Application number: CA373,880A
Authority: CA
Inventors: John K. Sipos
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1981-03-25
Filing date: 1981-03-25
Publication date: 1982-05-11

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

A catamenial tampon consisting of an elastic open-call polyurethane foam body enclosed in a fluid-proof thin and flexible membrane, snugly surrounding the body when in expanded condition, the membrane closed at withdrawal end of the tampon and open at the insertion end and a withdrawal string, of hydrophobic material, attached to the withdrawal end. The membrane prevents the "toxic shock syndrome".

Description

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FIELD OF THE_INVENTION
This invsntion rslatss to a catamenial tampon, that i8 to a tampon insertable into the vagina of a fsmals person for ths raception and collaction of menstrual flow.
OACKGROUND_OF_THE INVENTION
Catamenial tampons in general use are mad~ of absorbent material, ~uch as cotton, and provided uith a withdrawal cord. It i8 known that several tampon users have dLed ae a result of an infection caused by soms types of tampons. The phenomenum has come to be known as the "toxic shock syndrome" and i8 probably the result of systemic absorption of pathogenic products developing in convention~l tampons.
In other word~, pathogenic substances produced in ths tampon are absorbed within the body through the vaginal mucosa.
Moreovsr, the withdrawal strings of conventional tampons are made of hydrophylic material, with the rssult that the string often becomes saturated with menstrual secretions and causes odors and staining of the wearer'~ clothing.
ûa~ECTS OF THE INUENTION
It is the main object of the present invention to provide a catamenial tampon which will prevsnt the toxic shock syndrome.
Another object of ths invention i8 to provide a tampon of ths character described, in which the withdrawal string is made of a hydrophobic material to prevent its saturation with menstrual secretions.
Another object of ths present invention is to provide a tampon of the character described, which is adapted to be used with the conventional plunger type applicator.
Another object of the invention i9 to provide a tampon of the character Idescribed, which is easily insertable and removabla from ths vaginal canal.
Another object of the invention is to provide a tampon of the character described, which prevants abra~ion of the vaginal surfacss upon inssrtion or withdrawal of ths tampon.

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~:~23~5 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The catamenial tampon in accordance with ths present invantion comprises a generally cylindrical body, made of elastic and compressible open-cell foam material, a fluid-proof thin and flexible msmbrans surrounding the body with a snug fit when the body is in sxpanded condition, said membrane closed over the withdrawal end and upen at the insertion end of said body, said body having a central bore opening at the inssrtion end and clossd at the withdrawal end of the body, the assembly of the body and membrane being provided with a with-drawal string which is fixed to the assembly at the withdrawal end of the body and which has a fluid proof connection with ths membran~.

~RIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the annexsd drawings which illustrates a preferred embodiment -of the invention:
Figure 1 i5 a schematic section of the vaginal canal showing the tampon in accordance with the invention in operative position therein, the tampon being partially shown in longitudinal section;
Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of the tampon compressed within an applicator device, also shown in longitudinal section; and Figure 3 is a side elevation in partially longitudinal section of the tampon shown in expanded condition.
In the drawings, like reference characters indicate like elements throughout.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The catamenial tam~on of the present invention comprises a generally cylindrical body 1~ made of a modsrately hydrophobic~
elastic and compressible open-cell foam matsrial, preferably of poly-msric material~ such as polyursthans. Sody 1 is providsd with a central longitudinally-sxtending blind bors 2~ which opens at ths insertion end ~ of body 1 and which terminates short of ths withdrawal end 4 of body 1. 50dy 1, when in normally-expanded condition~ has about the following dimsnsions: an averags length of 7 centimetsrs and a diameter oF 2.5 centimeters, with the diamstsr of the burs being about .5 centimeter, Obuiously~ these dimensions can vary~

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the tampon capable of bsing made of various SiZBS in accordanc~
with ths uarious sizss of conuentional tampons. A withdrawal string 5~ preferably made of hydrophobic material, such as a polymeric matsrial, for instance nylon, ., .
.,,

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extends through the withdrawing end 4 o~ the tsmpon and ia sttached to the latter by means of a button 6 located in the closed end of the bore 2. A mambrans 7 covers body 1, ~urrounding ths cylindrical face and withdrawal ~nd 4 of body 1. Msmbrane 7 is fully open at the insertion end 3 of body 1 and protrudels beyond thi~ end 3 to a slight dsgree, for instance about .3 to .5 centimeter, for a purpose to be later de~cribed. The closed end 8 of the membrane i0 completely sealed around the withdrawal string 5, as shown at 9. When body 1 i~ in expanded condition, ths membrane 7 snugly fits flround the ~ame, 30 as to be completely smooth. Membrane 7 is made of a fluid-proof thin and flexible matcr~a~ ~nd which is also neutral to the vaginal mucosa.
~embrane 7 is thus completely impermeabls to bacter$a, virusos snd toxic decomposition products of the menstrual flow. Both the membrane 7 and the foam material constituting body 1 are preferably made of an inert material of pharmaceutical quality. The membrane 7 can be made of polyethylene sheet, for example 0.01 to 0.1 mm in thickness.
The tampon is eaaily compressible and, therefore, can be positioned within a conventional applicator tube 10, generally made of cardboard material. This applicator tube 10 i9 fitted with a plunger 11, also made of cardboard material, and having at its pusher end 12 only a central hole 13 for the passage of the withdrawal string 5.
Therefore, the partially-closed end 12 is used to sject the tampon from the tube lû. Immediataly upon ejection, th~ tampon body 1 will assume its fully-expanded condition within the vaginal canal and the membrane 7, which was wrinkled when the body 1 was in compressed condition, will become Rmooth and wrinkle-free. The membrane 7 will be biased again~t the vaginal mucosa by the elasticity of body 1, and therefore, the external surface of the membrane 7 will be firmly applied against the vaginal mucosa.
The protruding end 7' of the membrane 7 i8 foldsd over the insertion end of the applicator tube 10, a~ shown in Figure 2, thsreby protecting ths vaginal mucosa during insertion from possible abrasion by the rough edge of the applicator cardboard tube 10.

~23~LS5 Once the tampon is in position, menstrual flow, illustrated in Figure 1 at A, will be collected within the open cells of body 1 and the latter will gradually fill with menstrual flow9 this being facilitated by bore 2. Menstrual sscretions cannot flow on the outside of membrane i, because the latter is firmly biased in adherence with the vaginal mucosa.
The membrane 7, being completely impermeable to bactsria, viruses and decomposition products, will prevent the passage of pathogenic substances through the vaginal mucosa, Therefore, ths toxic shock syndrome will be prevented. 8ecause the msmbrane 7 is complstely closed at 8, no menstrual secretions can escapa from the vagina. The elastic nature of the vaginal wall assists in maintaining a snug, practically spaceless fit between membrane 7 and the vaginal wall, as the expanding body 1 presses the membrane against it. After use, smooth removal of the tampon is assured due to the smooth surface of membrane 7.

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Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A catamenial tampon for preventing the toxic shock syndrome during menstrual flow, comprising a generally cylindrical body, made of elastic and compressible open-cell foam material, and having an insertion end and an opposite withdrawal end, said body having a central bore opening at the insertion end of said body and closed at the withdrawal end of said body, a fluid-proof, thin and flexible membrane snugly surrounding said body when in expanded condition, said membrane closed over the withdrawal end and open at the insertion end of said body, said body, when the assembly of said body and of said membrane is emplaced within the vagina, biasing said membrane against the vaginal wall, said tampon being provided with a withdrawal string for removing said assembly from the vagina after use, said withdrawal string fixed to the assembly of said body and membrane at the withdrawal end of said body and having a fluid proof connection with said membrane.

2. A catamenial tampon as claimed in claim 1, wherein said membrane protrudes from the insertion end of said body.

3. A catamenial tampon as claimed in claim 1, wherein said string is made of hydrophobic material.

4. A catamenial tampon as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein a button is located in said bore at the closed end thereof, and said string extends through said membrane and said body and is attached to said button.

5. A catamenial tampon as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said foam material is a polymeric material.

6. A catamenial tampon as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said foam material is a polyurethane foam.

7. A catamenial tampon as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said membrane is made of polyethylene sheet material.

8. A catamenial tampon as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said foam material is a polyurethane foam and said membrane is made of polyethylene sheet material.