Cupid

A fertility aid device includes a cup defining a chamber to receive and store sperm and configured to be inserted inside a vagina of a woman to deliver the sperm inside the vagina to a cervix. The device also includes a string attached to the cup and extending outwardly of the cup to facilitate a removal of the cup from the vagina.

BACKGROUND

Couples and women often have difficulty with fertility. Consequently, there is a need for a system and method which assists with fertility.

SUMMARY

One aspect of this disclosure relates to a fertility aid device. The fertility aid device includes a cup defining a chamber to receive and store sperm. The cup is configured to be inserted inside a vagina of a woman to deliver the sperm near a cervix to aid in conception. The fertility aid device also includes a string attached to the cup and extending outwardly of the cup to facilitate a removal of the cup from the vagina.

In some additional, alternative, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the fertility aid device further comprises a handle attached to the string to facilitate a holding of the fertility aid device by a user.

In some additional, alternative, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the handle includes a spherical shape.

In some additional, alternative, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the handle includes a heart shape.

In some additional, alternative, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the cup includes a flexible portion to enable a manipulation of the cup to facilitate the insertion of the cup inside the vagina.

In some additional, alternative, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the flexible portion includes a top of the cup adapted to be pinched such that at an opening of the cup defines a figure 8 shape.

In some additional, alternative, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the cup and the string are integrally formed with each other.

In some additional, alternative, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the cup is made of a medical grade silicone.

One aspect of this disclosure relates to a method for providing a fertility aid to a woman. The method comprises providing a fertility aid device. The fertility aid device includes a cup to receive and store sperm and a string attached to the cup to facilitate an insertion and removal of the cup from a vagina of the woman. The method further includes collecting sperm inside the cup of the fertility aid device, and inserting the cup having the sperm inside the vagina and positioning the cup proximate to a cervix inside the vagina to deliver the sperm near the cervix to aid in conception.

In some additional, alternative, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the method further comprises manipulating the cup to enable the insertion of the cup inside the vagina.

In some additional, alternative, or selectively cumulative embodiments, manipulating the cup includes pinching a top of the cup such that an opening of cup defines a figure 8 shape.

In some additional, alternative, or selectively cumulative embodiments, manipulating the cup includes a folding the cup.

In some additional, alternative, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the method further comprises removing the cup from the vagina upon elapse of a predefined time period from the insertion of the cup inside the vagina.

In some additional, alternative, or selectively cumulative embodiments, the cup is removed from the vagina by pulling the string.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise expressly stated in the drawings, the sizes, positions, etc., of components, features, elements, etc., as well as any distances therebetween, are not necessarily to scale, and may be disproportionate and/or exaggerated for clarity.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should be recognized that the terms “comprise,” “comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Unless otherwise specified, a range of values, when recited, includes both the upper and lower limits of the range, as well as any sub-ranges therebetween. Unless indicated otherwise, terms such as “first,” “second,” etc., are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, one element could be termed a “first element” and similarly, another element could be termed a “second element,” or vice versa. The section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described.

Unless indicated otherwise, the terms “about,” “thereabout,” “substantially,” etc., mean that amounts, sizes, formulations, parameters, and other quantities and characteristics are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and/or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art.

Spatially relative terms, such as “right,” left,” “below,” “beneath,” “lower,” “above,” and “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element's or feature's relationship to another element or feature, as illustrated in the drawings. It should be recognized that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if an object in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the term “below” can, for example, encompass both an orientation of above and below. An object may be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein may be interpreted accordingly.

Unless clearly indicated otherwise, all connections and all operative connections may be direct or indirect. Similarly, unless clearly indicated otherwise, all connections and all operative connections may be rigid or non-rigid.

Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Thus, the same or similar numbers may be described with reference to other drawings even if they are neither mentioned nor described in the corresponding drawing. Also, even elements that are not denoted by reference numbers may be described with reference to other drawings.

Many different forms and embodiments are possible without deviating from the spirit and teachings of this disclosure and so this disclosure should not be construed as limited to the example embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

Reference in this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The appearance of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Further, the terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not for other embodiments.

Referring toFIGS.1to6, a fertility aid device100is shown, according to an example embodiment of the disclosure. As shown, the fertility aid device100(hereinafter simply referred to device100) includes a cup102defining a chamber103to receive and hold a substance, for example, sperm, and a string104attached to the cup102and extending outwardly from the cup102. The string104includes a first end106attached to the cup102and a second end108arranged distally from the cup102. The string104facilitates a removal of the cup102from a vagina of a woman.

As shown inFIGS.2,3, and4the cup102includes a base portion110defining a lower chamber112(shown inFIG.4) to receive and store the sperm and a top portion114extending upwardly from the base portion110and defining an upper chamber116(shown inFIG.4) of the cup102. As shown, a diameter of the base portion110is smaller than a diameter of the top portion114defining a step118therebetween. Moreover, as shown onFIGS.1-4, a base120of the base portion110includes a substantially convex shape. Further, the cup102includes a lip122arranged at a free edge of the top portion114of the cup102and defining an opening124of the chamber103. It may be appreciated that the upper chamber116and the lower chamber112together define the chamber103of the cup102.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIGS.1and5, the device100may include a handle130arranged at the second end108of the string104and attached to the string104. The handle130provides a grip portion for a user to hold the device100and enables an insertion of the cup102inside the vagina and removal of the cup102from the vagina. Also, the handle130facilitates a collection of the sperm inside the cup102without contacting the cup102. The handle130may include any shape or size known in the art. In the illustrated embodiment, as shown inFIG.6, the handle130includes a heart shape having two longitudinal edges132,134, each extending obliquely and outwardly from the string104at an angle. In some embodiments, the angle may be between 25 degrees to 35 degrees. In an embodiment, the angle may be 32 degrees. Further, the handle130includes a lateral edge136connecting the two longitudinal edges132,134. As shown, the lateral edge136includes a wavy shape with a trough of the wave arranged substantially centrally to the lateral edge136. Accordingly, the lateral edge136includes two arcuate portions connected to each other at a center of the lateral edge136. In an embodiment, each arcuate portion includes a predefined radius. In some embodiments, the handle130may include a spherical shape instead of a heart shape.

In some embodiments, the cup102, the string104, and the handle130are integrally formed. Alternatively, the cup102and the string104may be engaged rigidly or removably with each other. In some embodiments, the device100may include any bio-safe material known in the art. In one embodiment, the device100may include rubber, plastics, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the device100is a class 2 medical device. In one embodiment, the device100is made of medical grade silicone.

A method for aiding in a fertility of a woman using the device100is now described. The method includes a step at which a user or an operator collects the sperm inside the cup102. The sperm may comprise live sperm, thawed frozen sperm, etc. The amount of sperm collected inside the cup102depends upon a size of the cup102. As the sperm are collected/placed directly inside the cup102rather than using various transporting or intermediate equipment, a risk of spill and losses of the sperm in minimized. Further, placing/collecting the sperm directly inside the cup102reduces the complexity, and simplifies the process.

In some optional embodiments, the operator before collecting the sperm inside the cup102, the operator or the user sanitizes the device100. For so doing, in an example embodiment, the device100is positioned inside boiling water for a predefined time, for example, at least five minutes. Although, the sanitization of the device100using the boiling water is contemplated, it may be appreciated that the device100may be sanitized any other method known in the art. The sanitization of the device100sterilizes the device100and helps in killing any bacteria located on the device100.

Upon sanitizing the device100, in some optional embodiments, the operator washes the device100. Optionally, the operator may wash his or her hands and wear medical grade gloves. After washing or sterilizing, the device100is ready for use.

After depositing the sperm into the cup102, the method includes a step at which the operator may manipulate the cup102for suitable insertion inside the vagina of the woman. In some embodiments, the operator may manipulate the cup102in different forms depending upon the shape and size of the cup102to enable/facilitate the insertion of the cup102inside the vagina. For example, the operator may pinch a top of the cup100such that the opening124takes either an oval shape or a figure 8 shape. In some embodiments, the manipulation of the cup102includes folding the cup102in a manner so that it may be subsequently inserted.

Subsequent to the manipulation of the cup102, the operator or user inserts the cup102inside the vagina. Cup102is inserted in such a way as to not spill the sperm outside the cup102during insertion. In one embodiment, the woman lays down facing upward, and the cup102is inserted inside the vagina such that the opening124i.e., open end of the cup102is facing upward. It may be appreciated that the user or the operator pushes the cup102inside the vagina to the cervix until the cup102does not move further.

Upon insertion of the cup102inside the vagina and up and into the cervix, the cup102is left inside the vagina for a predefined period of time. This allows the sperm to exit the cup102. In some embodiments, the cup102is removed from the vagina after the elapse of the predefined time period, for example, six hours from the insertion. This help in delivering the sperm to the cervix to aid in conception. For removal of the cup102from the vagina, the user pulls the string104by holding the string104via the handle130. Accordingly, a length of the string104is selected such that a portion of the string104and/or the handle130remains outside the vagina when the cup102is completely inserted inside the vagina. It may be appreciated that the user or the operator washes hands before pulling the string104to remove the cup102from the vagina. The process can be repeated several times until fertility is achieved.

In this manner, the cup102acts as both a sperm container and a conception device. This is an advantage compared to prior devices which needed a separate cup which is syringed or suctioned out and then delivered to the conception device. As such, the instant device100provides a single device which acts as both the collection and delivery device. Moreover, the device100is a relatively inexpensive that can be used to increase fertility. Also, the device100is an over the counter device and may be used by the couples/women at home. Further, the device100may be used during the ovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle.