US4393871A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Vaginal device
Assignee: VLI Corp A CORP OF
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Filing: 1981-03-30
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Granted: 1983-07-19
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Expires: 2001-03-30
Abstract
Abstract A vaginal device adapted for insertion and placement in the human vaginal cavity and subsequent removal therefrom for the administration of spermicide or a variety of medications such as anti-infectives, anti-inflammatories, estrogens, progestogens, and the like. When used as a contraceptive, the vaginal device covers/blocks the cervix, soaks up and traps sperm, and slowly releases a spermicide.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruce W. Vorhauer
- 👤 Thomas A. Dobbie, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 20:20
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L15/00; A61L15/16; A61L15/42; A61L15/44; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/20; A61F13/2002; A61F13/202; A61F13/2022; A61F13/2051; A61F13/2057; A61F13/2074; A61F13/2082; A61F6/00; A61F6/06; A61F6/08; A61K; A61K9/00; A61K9/0012; A61K9/0034; A61K9/0036; A61L15/425; A61L15/48; A61L2300/00; A61L2300/20; A61L2300/22; A61L2300/222; A61L2300/40; A61L2300/404; A61L2300/408; A61L2300/41; A61L2300/43; A61L2300/60; A61L2300/602; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S521/00; Y10S521/905
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
51 words
A vaginal device adapted for insertion and placement in the human vaginal cavity and subsequent removal therefrom, comprising: a spermicide-foaming agent in a dry weight percentage of from about 10% to about 50%, and a water-catalyzed foamed urethane polymer from which the spermicide is slowly released from the sponge during use.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
51 words
A vaginal device adapted for insertion and placement in the human vaginal cavity and subsequent removal therefrom, comprising: a spermicide-foaming agent in a dry weight percentage of from about 10% to about 50%, and a water-catalyzed foamed urethane polymer from which the spermicide is slowly released from the sponge during use.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The vaginal device of claim 1 including a drug for local delivery to the vaginal area, which drug is slowly released from the device during use.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The vaginal device of claim 1 including a non-toxic acid for lowering the pH of the device to between 4.0 and 5.0.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The vaginal device of claim 1 wherein the dry weight percentage of spermicide-foaming agent is at least 30%.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The vaginal device of claim 1 wherein the spermicide-foaming agent is nonylphenoxy polyethoxyethanol.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The vaginal device of claim 1 wherein the urethane polymer is water catalyzed from an isocyanate-capped hydrophilic polyoxyethylene polyol.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The vaginal device of claim 1 being in the shape of a flattened ball, one side of the device having a recess contoured to fit over the os of the cervix.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The vaginal device of claim 1 wherein the dry weight percentage of the spermicide-foaming agent is at least 30%.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
68 words
A vaginal device adapted for insertion and placement in the human female vaginal cavity and subsequent removal therefrom, for the local administration of a drug, comprising: a drug for local delivery to the vaginal area, a foaming agent in a dry weight percentage of form about 10% to about 50%, and a water-catalyzed foamed urethane polymer from which the drug is slowly released from the sponge during use.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
68 words
A vaginal device adapted for insertion and placement in the human female vaginal cavity and subsequent removal therefrom, for the local administration of a drug, comprising: a drug for local delivery to the vaginal area, a foaming agent in a dry weight percentage of form about 10% to about 50%, and a water-catalyzed foamed urethane polymer from which the drug is slowly released from the sponge during use.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The vaginal device of claim 9 wherein the drug is selected from the group consisting of anti-infectives, anti-inflammatories, estrogenic steroids, progestational agents, and prostaglandins.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The vaginal device of claim 9 being in the shape of a flattened ball, one side of the device having a recess contoured to fit over the os of the cervix.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for forming a vaginal device adapted for insertion and placement in the human vaginal cavity and subsequent removal therefrom; and mixing from about 10% to 50% by dry weight of a foaming agent with a water-catalyzed, foam-forming urethane prepolymer and a dry agent for local delivery to the vaginal area; and permitting the mixture of prepolymer, compound, and foaming agent to foam and form a stable, flexible, sponge-like structure from which the drug is slowly released from the sponge-like structure while in the vagina over a period of time.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for forming a vaginal device adapted for insertion and placement in the human vaginal cavity and subsequent removal therefrom; and mixing from about 10% to 50% by dry weight of a foaming agent with a water-catalyzed, foam-forming urethane prepolymer and a dry agent for local delivery to the vaginal area; and permitting the mixture of prepolymer, compound, and foaming agent to foam and form a stable, flexible, sponge-like structure from which the drug is slowly released from the sponge-like structure while in the vagina over a period of time.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The vaginal device of claim 12 being in the shape of a flattened ball, one side of the device having a recess contoured to fit over the os of the cervix.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the foaming agent is a spermicide.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the drug is selected from the group consisting of anti-infectives, anti-inflammatories, estrogenic steroids, progestational agents, and prostaglandins.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the urethane prepolymer is an isocyanate-capped hydrophilic polyoxyethylene polyol.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for forming a vaginal device adapted for insertion and placement in the human vaginal cavity and subsequent removal therefrom, the device for the local administration of a spermicide, comprising: mixing from about 10% to about 50% by dry weight of a spermicide-foaming agent with a water catalyzed, foam-forming urethane prepolymer; and permitting the mixture of prepolymer and spermicide-foaming agent to foam and form a stable, flexible, sponge-like structure from which the spermicide-foaming agent is slowly released from the sponge structure while in the vagina over a period of time.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for forming a vaginal device adapted for insertion and placement in the human vaginal cavity and subsequent removal therefrom, the device for the local administration of a spermicide, comprising: mixing from about 10% to about 50% by dry weight of a spermicide-foaming agent with a water catalyzed, foam-forming urethane prepolymer; and permitting the mixture of prepolymer and spermicide-foaming agent to foam and form a stable, flexible, sponge-like structure from which the spermicide-foaming agent is slowly released from the sponge structure while in the vagina over a period of time.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the prepolymer is an isocyanate-capped hydrophilic polyoxyethylene polyol.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the spermicide-foaming agent is nonylphenoxypoly ethoxyethanol.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the dry weight percentage of spermicide-foaming agent is at least 30%.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 17 wherein a drug intended for local delivery to the vaginal area is mixed with the spermicide-foaming agent and the prepolymer.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 17 wherein a non-toxic acid is mixed with the spermicide-foaming agent and the prepolymer in quantity sufficient to lower the pH of the device to between about 4.0 and 5.5.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the vaginal device is generally in the shape of a flattened ball, one side of the device having a recess contoured to fit over the os of the cervix.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method of delivering an effective amount of a drug to the vaginal area comprising inserting into the human female vagina the device of claim 2.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-07-18 | 1987-01-17 | 1987-07-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-07-18 | 1991-01-17 | 1991-07-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-07-18 | 1995-01-17 | 1995-07-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |