EP0304321A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vaginal testing applicator and method
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1988-08-19
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2008-08-19
Abstract
Abstract An applicator assembly and method for self-testing a body cavity to determine the condition therein is disclosed. The assembly includes a reusable, applicator body (10), formed with a probe (15) having a tip end (16) formed and positioned for movement between a retracted position and an extended position. Removably mounted thereon is a flexible sheath (25), which carries a sensor (30) proximate the end of the sheath. Upon movement of the probe to the retracted position, the sensor and sheath are drawn into the applicator body to protect the sensor from contamination before testing. The assembly is then inserted into the cavity, the probe is extended for testing and retracted for removal of the assembly from the cavity. To observe the test results, the probe is again extended. The sheath is removable and a new sheath can be mounted over the applicator body for repeated testing. A method of self-testing, using the assembly of the present invention is also provided.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul Okimoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 01:34
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B10/00; A61B10/02; A61B10/0291; A61B1/00; A61B1/00142; A61B2010/0003; A61B2010/0006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
An applicator assembly for self-testing of a body cavity for the detection of a condition in said cavity comprising: an elongated applicator body dimensioned to be received within said body cavity and having a length sufficient for positioning of a front end of said applicator within said cavity beyond the external walls thereof; probe means having a tip end, said probe means being formed and positioned within said applicator body for movement of said tip end between a retracted position within said applicator body and an extended position outward of said applicator body; flexible sheath means removably mounted over said front end of said applicator body and formed for embracement of said tip end in said extended position and for adherence to said tip end upon movement to said retracted position; and sensor means to detect a condition within said body cavity and carried by said sheath means proximate securement of said sheath means to tip end.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
An applicator assembly for self-testing of a body cavity for the detection of a condition in said cavity comprising: an elongated applicator body dimensioned to be received within said body cavity and having a length sufficient for positioning of a front end of said applicator within said cavity beyond the external walls thereof; probe means having a tip end, said probe means being formed and positioned within said applicator body for movement of said tip end between a retracted position within said applicator body and an extended position outward of said applicator body; flexible sheath means removably mounted over said front end of said applicator body and formed for embracement of said tip end in said extended position and for adherence to said tip end upon movement to said retracted position; and sensor means to detect a condition within said body cavity and carried by said sheath means proximate securement of said sheath means to tip end.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The applicator assembly as defined in Claim 1 wherein, said front end of said applicator body is formed with a recess dimensioned to receive said heath means and said sensor means upon movement of said tip end to said retracted position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
71 words
The applicator assembly as defined in Claim 1 wherein, said probe means includes spring means formed to bias said tip end in said retracted position, locking means formed for releasable securement of said tip end in said extended position, and said probe means and said sheath means being cooperatively formed for removably mounting of said sheath means to said tip end for adherence of said sheath means to said tip end.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
71 words
The applicator assembly as defined in Claim 3 wherein, said locking means includes a longitudinal projection on said probe means and a mating, slotted opening in said applicator body formed for receipt and passage of said projection beyond said opening upon movement of said tip end to said extended position to enable releasably locking of said probe means upon rotation of said probe means about the longitudinal axis of said applicator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
78 words
The applicator assembly as defined in Claim 1 wherein, said applicator body is dimensioned for insertion into the human vagina and has a length sufficient to position said front end thereof proximate the center one-third of the vagina, said flexible sheath is formed with a closed end embracing said tip end of said probe means and adhering thereto upon movement to said retracted position, and said sensor means is carried by said sheath means proximate said closed end.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The applicator assembly as defined in Claim 5 wherein, said sheath means is formed to extend from said front end along said applicator body over a length at least equal to the length of the human cervix.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The applicator assembly as defined in Claim 1 wherein, said sensor means is a strip of litmus paper.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
81 words
The applicator assembly as defined in Claim 1 wherein, said applicator body is dimensioned for insertion into the human vagina and has a length sufficient to position said front end thereof proximate the center one-third of the vagina with an opposite end thereof extending outwardly of the cervix, said probe means and said sheath means are cooperatively formed for releasable mounting of said sheath means on said tip end, and said sensor means is provided by a strip of litmus paper.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
The applicator assembly as defined in Claim 8 wherein, said probe means is formed to extend from said front end of said applicator body to said opposite end and to extend outwardly of said opposite end for manipulation of said probe means by manual engagement of said applicator body and said probe means at said opposite end.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The applicator assembly as defined in Claim 9 wherein, said probe means includes spring means mounted to said applicator for biasing of said probe means to said retracted position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The applicator assembly as defined in Claim 10, wherein, said probe means includes locking means formed to enable selective locking of said probe means in said extended position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
52 words
The applicator assembly as defined in Claim 1 wherein, said tip end is formed with a head portion and a neck portion at a distal end thereof, and said sheath means is formed for resilient deformation over said distal end and said neck to secure said sheath means to said tip end.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The applicator assembly as defined in Claim 12 wherein, said sheath means is formed to define a pocket dimensioned to mate with and be resiliently deformed over said distal end.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
179 words
A vaginal applicator for use with a plurality of flexible sheath means each having a closed end and litmus paper secured to the exterior thereof proximate said closed end to enable periodic self-testing of the vagina for the detection of pathogens or the like comprising: an elongated applicator body dimensioned for insertion into the human vagina and having a length sufficient to position a front end thereof proximate the center one-third of the vagina and an opposite end outwardly of the cervix, and being further dimensioned to receive said sheath means; probe means having a tip end and being formed and positioned within said applicator body for selective movement by the user of said tip end between a retracted position within said applicator body and an extended position outward of said applicator body; and said tip end of said probe means being formed for embracement by said sheath means for removable adherence of said sheath means to said tip and said probe means being further formed for adherence of said sheath means thereto upon movement to said retracted position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
179 words
A vaginal applicator for use with a plurality of flexible sheath means each having a closed end and litmus paper secured to the exterior thereof proximate said closed end to enable periodic self-testing of the vagina for the detection of pathogens or the like comprising: an elongated applicator body dimensioned for insertion into the human vagina and having a length sufficient to position a front end thereof proximate the center one-third of the vagina and an opposite end outwardly of the cervix, and being further dimensioned to receive said sheath means; probe means having a tip end and being formed and positioned within said applicator body for selective movement by the user of said tip end between a retracted position within said applicator body and an extended position outward of said applicator body; and said tip end of said probe means being formed for embracement by said sheath means for removable adherence of said sheath means to said tip and said probe means being further formed for adherence of said sheath means thereto upon movement to said retracted position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
66 words
A sheath for use with an applicator to enable periodic self-testing of a body cavity for the detection of pathogens or the like comprising: a tubular member having an internal diameter dimension for sliding engagement over at least a portion of said applicator body; and sensor means mounted proximate an end of said tubular member and formed for detection of a condition in said body cavity.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
66 words
A sheath for use with an applicator to enable periodic self-testing of a body cavity for the detection of pathogens or the like comprising: a tubular member having an internal diameter dimension for sliding engagement over at least a portion of said applicator body; and sensor means mounted proximate an end of said tubular member and formed for detection of a condition in said body cavity.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
A sheath as defined in Claim 15 wherein, said end of said tubular member is a closed end, and said sensor means is mounted proximate said closed end.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
A sheath as defined in Claim 16 wherein, said sensor means is litmus paper.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
A sheath as defined in Claim 15, and carrier means, said sheath being removably mounted to said carrier means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
A sheath as defined in Claim 18, and a plurality of sheaths each formed in the same manner as said first named sheath and each being removably secured to said carrier means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
A sheath as defined in Claim 15 wherein, said tubular member is formed from a resiliently deformable material.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
81 words
A self-testing kit for the measurement of the acidity of the human vagina comprising: an elongated applicator body dimensioned for insertion into said vagina and having a length sufficient to position a front end thereof proximate the center one-third of the vagina; a plurality of sheath means formed for removable mounting over said front end of said applicator and having a closed end thereof; and a strip of litmus paper carried by each of said sheath means at said closed end.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
81 words
A self-testing kit for the measurement of the acidity of the human vagina comprising: an elongated applicator body dimensioned for insertion into said vagina and having a length sufficient to position a front end thereof proximate the center one-third of the vagina; a plurality of sheath means formed for removable mounting over said front end of said applicator and having a closed end thereof; and a strip of litmus paper carried by each of said sheath means at said closed end.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
93 words
The kit as defined in Claim 21 wherein, said elongated applicator includes probe means having a tip end and being formed and positioned within said applicator body for movement of said tip end between a retracted position within said applicator body and an extended position outward of said applicator body, said sheath means being formed for releasable mounting to said tip end, and said applicator body being formed with a recess in said front end dimensioned for receipt of said sheath means and said litmus paper inside said recess in said retracted position.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
166 words
A method of self-testing of a body cavity for the detection of pathogens or the like including the steps of inserting an applicator assembly including a retractable probe means and sensor means carried by said probe means into said cavity, and extending the retractable probe means beyond the front end of said applicator body to contact the cavity wall with said sensor means, wherein the improvement in said method comprises the steps of: prior to said step of inserting said applicator assembly into said cavity, inserting said applicator assembly into a flexible tubular sheath means having a closed end and said sensor means carried by said sheath means proximate said closed end, said sheath means having a length extending over substantially the entire length of said applicator body, securing said sheath means to an end of said retractable probe means, and retracting said probe means with said sheath means secured thereto until said sensor means is inside said applicator assembly prior to insertion into said cavity.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
166 words
A method of self-testing of a body cavity for the detection of pathogens or the like including the steps of inserting an applicator assembly including a retractable probe means and sensor means carried by said probe means into said cavity, and extending the retractable probe means beyond the front end of said applicator body to contact the cavity wall with said sensor means, wherein the improvement in said method comprises the steps of: prior to said step of inserting said applicator assembly into said cavity, inserting said applicator assembly into a flexible tubular sheath means having a closed end and said sensor means carried by said sheath means proximate said closed end, said sheath means having a length extending over substantially the entire length of said applicator body, securing said sheath means to an end of said retractable probe means, and retracting said probe means with said sheath means secured thereto until said sensor means is inside said applicator assembly prior to insertion into said cavity.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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