US3705575A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Incontinence device for female use
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-09-22
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Granted: 1972-12-12
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Expires: 1990-09-22
Abstract
Abstract An incontinence device for female use comprises a member adapted to apply pressure to the urethra, preferably from inside the vagina, so as to prevent the flow of urine therefrom. The device may include means for stimulating the muscle action of the tissue controlling the urethra so as to improve the natural urine retention of the wearer of the device.
Inventors
- 👤 Lynn Euryl Edwards
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 00:53
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/0404; A61N1/0408; A61N1/0452; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/0004; A61F2/0031; A61F2/005; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S128/00; Y10S128/25
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
206 words
A female incontinence device comprising a first portion having an end insertable into the vagina and adapted to contact the urethra during use of the device; a second portion including an engaging portion adapted to bear against the external pubic area of the female body when said end of said first portion is positioned within the vagina, said engaging portion having a breadth greater than the breadth of the remainder of said second portion so as to correspond to said external pubic area; a coupling portion connecting said first and second portions and defining with said first and second portions a generally U-shaped structure, at least said coupling portion being resilient and urging said first and second portions towards each other whereby said first portion is biased against the urethra while said second portion bears against the external pubic area, said first and second portions converging in direction toward one another and spaced away from said coupling portion so that said first portion tends to penetrate deeper into the vagina due to said bias and as a result of its inclination relative to said second portion, and said first, second and coupling portions constituting the sole means of support of the device on the female body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
206 words
A female incontinence device comprising a first portion having an end insertable into the vagina and adapted to contact the urethra during use of the device; a second portion including an engaging portion adapted to bear against the external pubic area of the female body when said end of said first portion is positioned within the vagina, said engaging portion having a breadth greater than the breadth of the remainder of said second portion so as to correspond to said external pubic area; a coupling portion connecting said first and second portions and defining with said first and second portions a generally U-shaped structure, at least said coupling portion being resilient and urging said first and second portions towards each other whereby said first portion is biased against the urethra while said second portion bears against the external pubic area, said first and second portions converging in direction toward one another and spaced away from said coupling portion so that said first portion tends to penetrate deeper into the vagina due to said bias and as a result of its inclination relative to said second portion, and said first, second and coupling portions constituting the sole means of support of the device on the female body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
71 words
A female incontinence device as defined in claim 1, wherein said second portion comprises an engaging portion adapted to bear against the external pubic area of the female body and comprising two supporting portions which diverge in direction away from said coupling portion in correspondence to the increase breadth of the external pubic area in direction away from the vagina, and which define between themselves a clearance for the pubic bone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said coupling portion is positionable at least partly in the vulva between the labia, during use of said device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device as defined in claim 2, and wherein said engaging portion is of substantially triangular configuration.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, comprising means for stimulating the muscle action of the tissue controlling the urethra so as to improve the natural urine retention of the wearer of the device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A device as claimed in claim 5, in which said muscle-stimulating means comprises electrode means for applying intermittent electric current impulses to the internal wall of the vagina in the region of the muscle tissue controlling the urethra.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
A device as claimed in claim 6, in which said electrode means comprises a pair of metal foil strips or a pair of small metal contacts mounted on said first portion of said device, with at least a part of each strip or contact on the surface of said first portion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-12-12 | 1976-06-12 | 1976-12-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-12-12 | 1980-06-12 | 1980-12-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-12-12 | 1984-06-12 | 1984-12-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |