Patent ID: 6478726
Filing Date: 2002-11-12
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
A method for alleviating female urinary incontinence comprising the steps of:a) providing a urinary incontinence device including a first absorbent having a width, and a second absorbent positioned adjacent to said first absorbent, said second absorbent having a width that is less than about 80% of the width of said first absorbent, said first and second absorbents being formed into a softwind that is compressed into an elongated pledget having an insertion end, a trailing end and a cross-sectional area, said first and second absorbents capable of absorbing fluid and expanding said cross-sectional area of said pledget, and said second absorbent causing a portion of said cross-sectional area of said pledget to expand farther outward to provide a supportive backdrop for a woman's urethra when inserted into a woman's vagina; b) inserting said urinary incontinence device into a woman's vagina with said insertion end entering first, said vagina having a vaginal canal with an inner periphery made up of right and left lateral walls, an anterior wall and a posterior wall, and said urinary incontinence device contacting at least two of said walls; c) positioning said urinary incontinence device in said vaginal canal with said insertion end aligned adjacent to a woman's external sphincter muscle which is a part of a woman's urethral tube, and said urinary incontinence device cooperating with a woman's symphysis pubis to compress said urethral tube therebetween; d) allowing said urinary incontinence device to expand within said vaginal canal such that a portion of said urinary incontinence device, corresponding to the location of said second absorbent, increases in cross-sectional area farther outward than remaining portions of said urinary incontinence device and contacts all four interior walls of said vaginal canal and provides a supportive backdrop for said urethral tube; and e) permitting said urethral tube to be compressed upon itself between said urinary incontinence device and said symphysis pubis thereby limiting involuntary urine flow.