Vaginal drug delivery device and vaginal diagnostic device
Inventors
De Laat, Wilhelmus Nicolaas Gerardus Maria
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-12036033-B2
Publication Date
2024-07-16
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention is related to a vaginal drug delivery device and to a vaginal diagnostic device that comprises a first and second rigid member, wherein the first and/or second rigid member comprises a reservoir holding a medicament to be delivered, an opening, and a pump for pumping said medicament out of said opening, and/or wherein the first rigid member and/or second rigid member comprises a diagnostic device for performing an intravaginal diagnosis or measurement therefor.The device further comprises a first flexible member and flexible part, wherein at least one of the first flexible member and the flexible part is at least partially elastic having an elasticity such that the device can be squeezed from an extended shape to a collapsed shape. The device is pre-biased to assume the extended shape when little to no external force is being applied thereto. Furthermore, the device assumes a shape substantially corresponding to the extended shape when the device is inserted with the squeezed rigid member first, so that these naturally unfold in the formix posterior vaginae.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a vaginal device for drug delivery and/or diagnostics comprising a first rigid member and a second rigid member that are connected in-plane by a first flexible member acting as a hinge. A flexible part couples between the second and fourth ends, and the hinge allows the first and second rigid members to move towards each other while staying in the same plane, enabling shape change associated with insertion.
The first rigid member and/or second rigid member comprises a reservoir holding a medicament to be delivered, an opening, and a pump for pumping the medicament out of the opening and/or comprises a diagnostic device for performing an intravaginal diagnosis or measurement therefor. At least one of the first flexible member and the flexible part is at least partially elastic, with an elasticity such that the vaginal device can be squeezed to transform from an extended shape to a collapsed shape for allowing insertion into a vagina of a user.
The device is pre-biased to assume the extended shape when little to no external force is being applied, where the extended shape corresponds to a substantially oval or annular ring shape. When placed and released at or near a fornix posterior vaginae of a user, the vaginal device assumes a shape substantially corresponding to the extended shape.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim defines a vaginal drug delivery and/or diagnostic device with rigid members connected by an elastic flexible hinge/part that provides in-plane movement and a squeeze-to-collapse/insertion transformation with an automatically returned extended oval or annular ring shape at or near the posterior fornix. The claim further covers rigid components including a medicament reservoir with an opening and pump and/or an intravaginal diagnostic device.
Hinge-connected rigid members for in-plane movement
A first flexible member coupled between first and third ends, wherein the first flexible member acts as a hinge to allow the first and second rigid members to move towards each other while staying in the same plane.
Reservoir with opening and pump and/or intravaginal diagnostic device
The first rigid member and/or second rigid member comprises a reservoir holding a medicament, an opening, and a pump for pumping the medicament out of the opening and/or a diagnostic device for performing an intravaginal diagnosis or measurement therefor.
At least partially elastic flexible hinge/part
At least one of the first flexible member and the flexible part is at least partially elastic.
Squeeze-to-collapse and pre-biased return to extended oval/annular ring shape
The elasticity is such that the vaginal device can be squeezed to transform from an extended shape to a collapsed shape for insertion; the vaginal device is pre-biased to assume the extended shape when little to no external force is applied, the extended shape corresponding to a substantially oval or annular ring shape; and the vaginal device assumes a shape substantially corresponding to the extended shape when placed and released at or near a fornix posterior vaginae of a user.
Overall, the independent claim combines hinge-connected rigid members with elastic flexibility that enables squeezing into a collapsed insertion shape and a pre-biased return to an extended substantially oval or annular ring shape at or near the posterior fornix, while supporting a medicament reservoir with a pump and/or an intravaginal diagnostic device.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
Interested in licensing this patent?