Barrier contraceptive torus

Claim 1

A contraceptive device comprising: a torus of biocompatible materials sized to fit in a vagina; means formed with the torus for providing a primary barrier preventing direct ejaculation into the cervix while allowing fluid drainage from the cervix; said means comprising a pair of overlapping flaps, each extending into, and together completely covering, the interior opening of the torus; and one of said flaps being arcuate in shape and extending approximately 180° around the opening in the torus, defining a circular segment central opening; and the other of said flaps being of flexible material and being generally circular in shape extending approximately 360° around the opening in the torus and overlapping portions of the said one flap over the entire arcuate extent thereof.

Claim 5

A device as recited in claims 1 or 3 wherein the torus material is selected from the group consisting essentially of silicone rubber, natural rubber, cis-polyisoprene, polydimethyl siloxane, butyl rubber, polyethylene, and ethylenevinyl acetate.

Claim 11

A method of preventing conception in a femal capable of conception, utilizing a torus of biocompatible material having means associated therewith for providing a primary barrier preventing direct ejaculation into the cervix while allowing fluid drainage from the cervix, said method comprising the steps of forming the torus of material capable of incorporating sufficient spermicide to release an effective amount thereof approximately over a period of time from the last day of menses until the start of the next menstrual period, the spermicide including a surfactant effective to assist in wetting surfaces so as to assure mixing of spermicide with cervical mucus, and a foaming agent to product foaming during coitus; constructing the torus so that substantially all of the spermicide releases through the inner peripheral surface thereof and substantially no spermicide releases through the outer peripheral surface thereof; incorporating sufficient spermicide in the torus to be continuously released at an effective rate from the last day of menses until the start of the next menstrual period; inserting the torus in the female's vagina about the last day of menses, and positioning it so as to provide a primary barrier preventing direct ejaculation into the cervix while allowing fluid drainage from the cervix; the torus continuously releasing spermicide; and removing and depositing of the torus at about the start of the next menstrual period.

Claim 12

A method of preventing conception in a femal capable of conception, utilizing a torus of biocompatible material having means associated therewith for providing a primary barrier preventing direct ejaculation into the cervix while allowing fluid drainage from the cervix, said method comprising the steps of forming the torus of material capable of incorporating sufficient spermicide to release an effective amount thereof approximately over a period of time from the last day of menses until the start of the next menstrual period, the spermicide including a surfactant effective to assist in wetting surfaces so as to assure mixing of spermicide with cervical mucus, and a foaming agent to product foaming during coitus; constructing the torus so that substantially all of the spermicide releases through the inner peripheral surface thereof and substantially no spermicide releases through the outer peripheral surface thereof; incorporating sufficient spermicide in the torus to be continuously released at an effective rate from the last day of menses until the start of the next menstrual period; inserting the torus in the female's vagina about the last day of menses, and positioning it so as to provide a primary barrier preventing direct ejaculation into the cervix while allowing fluid drainage from the cervix; the torus continuously releasing spermicide; and removing and depositing of the torus at about the start of the next menstrual period.