US4360013A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Polymeric acid contraceptive devices
Assignee: 3M Co
•
Filing: 1980-04-21
•
Granted: 1982-11-23
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Expires: 2000-04-21
Abstract
Abstract A disposable non-woven sponge vaginal contraceptive device is made of alginic acid or related polysaccharides bearing carboxylic acid functionality and a method of making same is disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas H. Barrows
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:51
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61K; A61K9/00; A61K9/0012; A61K9/0034; A61K9/0036; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S424/00; Y10S424/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
44 words
A disposable, resilient contraceptive device for insertion into the upper vault of the vagina proximal to the cervix comprising a cylindrical, absorbent non-woven sponge of alginic acid or related polysaccharide fibers bearing carboxylic acid functionality in an effective spermicidal quantity and a retrieval means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
44 words
A disposable, resilient contraceptive device for insertion into the upper vault of the vagina proximal to the cervix comprising a cylindrical, absorbent non-woven sponge of alginic acid or related polysaccharide fibers bearing carboxylic acid functionality in an effective spermicidal quantity and a retrieval means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A contraceptive device according to claim 1 wherein the retrieval means is a soft natural or synthetic fiber string attached thereto.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A contraceptive device according to claim 1 wherein said sponge includes additional inert fibrous materials blended therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A contraceptive device according to claim 3 wherein the additional inert fibrous material is a polyester staple.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A contraceptive device according to claim 3 wherein the additional inert fibrous material is a thermo-bonded bicomponent polyolefin staple.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A contraceptive device according to claim 3 wherein the fibrous materials have a denier in the range of 1.5-18.0.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A contraceptive device according to claim 3 wherein the fibrous materials have a denier in the range of 1.5-3.0.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A contraceptive device according to claim 1 wherein the sponge is coated with a unifying binder coating.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A contraceptive device according to claim 1 having a dry sponge density of at least 10 mg/cc.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A contraceptive device according to claim 1 wherein the device suspended in 50 ml of distilled water has a pH of 2 to 4.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
A contraceptive device according to claim 1 wherein the sponge is at least 0.5 cm. thick.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
A contraceptive device according to claim 1 wherein the diameter of the sponge is of sufficient size to completely cover the female cervical os.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
A contraceptive device according to claim 1 wherein the sponge is a single layer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A contraceptive device according to claim 1 wherein the sponge comprises a plurality of layers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
A contraceptive device according to claim 1 wherein the device contains at least 0.5 g by weight of alginic acid.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method of preventing conception in a female human comprising (a) inserting a contraceptive device according to claim 1 into the upper vault of the vagina proximal to the cervix prior to intercourse and (b) maintaining said device in place at least 1 hour after intercourse takes place.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
A disposable, resilient contraceptive device for insertion into the upper vault of the vagina proximal to the cervix comprising a cylindrical, absorbent, non-woven sponge of alginic acid in an effective spermicidal quantity and a retrieval means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
36 words
A disposable, resilient contraceptive device for insertion into the upper vault of the vagina proximal to the cervix comprising a cylindrical, absorbent, non-woven sponge of alginic acid in an effective spermicidal quantity and a retrieval means.
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) | 1985-11-22 | 1986-05-24 | 1986-11-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-11-22 | 1990-05-24 | 1990-11-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-11-22 | 1994-05-24 | 1994-11-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |