US4467806A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Osmotic cervical dilator
Assignee: Repromed Inc
•
Filing: 1983-03-10
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Granted: 1984-08-28
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Expires: 2003-03-10
Abstract
Abstract An osmotic cervical dilator has a sponge-like synthetic plastic body in which all the residual void spaces in the body are filled with a salt composition and the body shaped for insertion and retention in the cervix of the patient. The dilator, once inserted and retained by the cervix, is adapted to draw and to expand by osmotic effect and to retain cervical fluids and particularly water contained in the cervix.
Inventors
- 👤 Pouru Bhiwandiwala
- 👤 Robert G. Wheeler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 03:48
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M29/00; A61M29/02; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/20; A61F13/2051
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
A cervical dilator adapted for dilating a cervix over a period of hours by withdrawing fluid from the cervix by osmosis without exerting traumatic dilating force on the cervix, comprising a compressed biocompatible foam sponge containing a tissue compatible salt having high osmotic activity sufficient to osmotically displace fluid from the cervix, the sponge being adapted to absorb and retain the displaced fluid without exerting traumatic force on the cervix.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
70 words
A cervical dilator adapted for dilating a cervix over a period of hours by withdrawing fluid from the cervix by osmosis without exerting traumatic dilating force on the cervix, comprising a compressed biocompatible foam sponge containing a tissue compatible salt having high osmotic activity sufficient to osmotically displace fluid from the cervix, the sponge being adapted to absorb and retain the displaced fluid without exerting traumatic force on the cervix.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The cervical dilator as described in claim 1, wherein the salt is magnesium sulfate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cervical dilator as described in claim 1, wherein the sponge comprises a polyvinyl alcohol sponge.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The cervical dilator as described in claim 1, wherein the sponge comprises a polyurethane sponge.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The cervical dilator as described in claim 1, wherein the sponge comprises a silicone sponge.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The cervical dilator as described in claim 1, wherein the sponge comprises a collagen sponge.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The cervical dilator as described in claim 1, wherein the sponge has a porosity of at least 80% prior to compression and loading with the salt.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The cervical dilator as described in claim 7, wherein the salt comprises about 5 wt. % of said sponge.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The cervical dilator as described in claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional area of the compressed sponge is about 10% of the cross-sectional area of the sponge before compression.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
133 words
A method of dilating a cervix over a period of hours by withdrawing fluid from the cervix by osmosis without exerting traumatic dilating force on the cervix comprising the steps of: (a) placing a dilator, comprising a compressed biocompatible foam sponge containing a tissue compatible salt of high osmotic activity sufficient to osmotically displace fluid from the cervix without exerting traumatic force on the cervix, in close proximity to the cervix in order to bring the salt into osmotic communication with the cervix; (b) gradually releasing the salt in amounts adapted to osmotically displace fluid from the cervical tissue; and (c) absorbing with the sponge the displaced fluid from the cervical tissue thereby allowing the cervix to soften over said period of hours and dilating the cervix without exerting traumatic dilating forces thereon.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
133 words
A method of dilating a cervix over a period of hours by withdrawing fluid from the cervix by osmosis without exerting traumatic dilating force on the cervix comprising the steps of: (a) placing a dilator, comprising a compressed biocompatible foam sponge containing a tissue compatible salt of high osmotic activity sufficient to osmotically displace fluid from the cervix without exerting traumatic force on the cervix, in close proximity to the cervix in order to bring the salt into osmotic communication with the cervix; (b) gradually releasing the salt in amounts adapted to osmotically displace fluid from the cervical tissue; and (c) absorbing with the sponge the displaced fluid from the cervical tissue thereby allowing the cervix to soften over said period of hours and dilating the cervix without exerting traumatic dilating forces thereon.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method as described in claim 10, wherein the salt is magnesium sulfate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as described in claim 10, wherein the sponge comprises a polyvinyl alcohol sponge.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as described in claim 10, wherein the sponge comprises a polyurethane sponge.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as described in claim 10, wherein the sponge comprises a silicone sponge.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as described in claim 10, wherein the sponge comprises a collagen sponge.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of making a cervical dilator adapted for dilating a cervix over a period of hours by withdrawing fluid from the cervix by osmosis without exerting traumatic dilating force on the cervix, comprising the steps of: (a) filling the voids in a biocompatible compressible sponge with a saturated solution of a salt having high osmotic activity sufficient to osmotically displace fluid from the cervix; (b) removing substantially all of the water from the sponge until the salt containing sponge has approximately 5 wt. % of the salt; and (c) compressing the sponge until the density of the salt containing sponge approaches the weighted average density of the sponge and the salt and the sponge has a size and shape adaptable for placement in close proximity to the interior of the cervix without exerting traumatic dilating force thereon.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of making a cervical dilator adapted for dilating a cervix over a period of hours by withdrawing fluid from the cervix by osmosis without exerting traumatic dilating force on the cervix, comprising the steps of: (a) filling the voids in a biocompatible compressible sponge with a saturated solution of a salt having high osmotic activity sufficient to osmotically displace fluid from the cervix; (b) removing substantially all of the water from the sponge until the salt containing sponge has approximately 5 wt. % of the salt; and (c) compressing the sponge until the density of the salt containing sponge approaches the weighted average density of the sponge and the salt and the sponge has a size and shape adaptable for placement in close proximity to the interior of the cervix without exerting traumatic dilating force thereon.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method as described in claim 16, wherein the salt is magnesium sulfate.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as described in claim 16, wherein the sponge comprises a polyvinyl alcohol sponge.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as described in claim 16, wherein the sponge comprises a polyurethane sponge.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as described in claim 16, wherein the sponge comprises a silicone sponge.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as described in claim 16, wherein the sponge comprises a collagen sponge.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1987-08-28 | 1988-02-27 | 1988-08-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-08-28 | 1992-02-27 | 1992-08-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-08-28 | 1996-02-27 | 1996-08-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |