Patent ID: 8740767
Filing Date: 2014-06-03
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A method of selectively occluding a rectum to inhibit stool passage in a female user, the method comprising: inserting an intravaginal device into the user's vagina, the device comprising an occluding portion; engaging vaginal anatomy to stably support the occluding portion proximal to the vagina's perineal body; extending the occluding portion against a recto-vaginal septum of the vagina proximal to the vagina's perineal body during the engaging step to at least partially occlude the user's rectum, the extending step comprising extending the occluding portion during the engaging step from a first state in which the intravaginal device has a first height to a second state in which the intravaginal device has a second height to at least partially occlude the user's rectum; and retracting the occluding portion during the engaging step to permit stool to pass through the rectum; the retracting step comprising retracting the occluding portion from the second state to the first state during the engaging step to permit stool to pass through the rectum, the ratio of the first height to the second height being less than about 0.5.