INTRAVAGINAL DEVICE

Abstract: Herein presented is an intravaginal device to shield against contact with communicable infections and diseases. The device is an elastic container. The container functions similar to a condom but it can completely cover both the female and male genitalia. The device can contain lubricant jelly and its exterior is covered with lubrcant jelly. The elastic nature of the device allows it to conform to the surface shapes of the vagina and penis as the penis penetrates and enters into the vagina. The device is easy to use and completely disposable.

Description: This invention relates to an intravaginal device. Mankind is sexually active. Although artificial means for reproduction have been found, mankind's existence still depends on his sexual reproductive activities. Mankind has experienced a population explosion. He has also experienced an explosion in communicable diseases. Some of these diseases are deadly. One such disease Acquired Immunity Deficiency Syndrome is at this time spreading at an alarming rate and is incurable. The device presented here is to aid in the prevention of the spread of venereal diseases. The device is similar to the condom, but it also differs from the condom in many respects. The device is made of the same elastic materials as the materials used to make the condom. The condom is physically designed, and used, to cover the male penis. And its main function is to prevent lesions, infections and fluids on and from the penis from coming in contact with the female. The surface area covered by the condom is small. The high rate of breakage and failure of the condom has been widely reported. It has been proposed, in WO-A-8805291, to provide a barrier device for insertion into the female's vagina prior to intercourse. Such a device, generally known as a "female condom", takes the form of a sheath, broadly similar to a conventional male condom, but is additionally provided with means for securing it in position on the female user's body. Female condoms of the type of WO-A-8805291 can suffer from the same problem as do conventional male condoms, namely the breakage or failure of the single layer of material. According to the present invention there is provided an intravaginal device comprising an elongated and elastic bag, one end of said bag being adapted to fit into a female vagina and cover the surface of the vagina during sexual intercourse, characterized in that said bag is a closed bag, and that a second end of said bag is the size and shape of a standard condom, and is arranged to extend initially outside of the vagina and to cover a penis with its exterior surface as the penis enters the vagina. The double-ended arrangement of the device of the present invention provides extra safety. Should the material of one of the ends of the bag break during intercourse, the material of the other bag will still prevent contact between the penis and the vagina, preventing infection. The bag may additionally be provided with an upper portion and a lower portion to cover the external genitalia, with an elastic band being provided round the perimeters of said upper and lower portions. Means may be provided for holding and supporting the bag in place during use. Further features and advantages of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which : Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the device of the present invention; and Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of device in accordance with the present invention, including means for covering the external genitalia. The device shown in Fig. 1 comprises an elongate, elastic bag having a shape similar to a figure eight. Each end of the bag is an elongated bulb. One end 9 is adapted to fit into a female vagina and cover, with its external surface 10, the surface of the vagina during sexual intercourse. The other end 11 is smaller and is the shape and size of a standard condom. The penis in penetrating the vagina comes into contact with the exterior surface 12 of the smaller elongated bulb. This exterior surface 12 covers the penis as it enters into the vagina. The penis pushes the interior surface into the larger bulb. When the penis is in the vagina its surface is covered by the exterior surface 12 of the small bulb and the inner surface of the vagina is covered by the exterior surface 10 of the larger bulb. As a result two layers of the elastic material of the device separate the penis and its fluids from the inner surface of the vagina. No means for holding the device in place are shown. Fig. 2 shows the device described in Fig. 1 with additional coverings 4 and straps 8. The coverings 4 for the external genitalia comprise an upper covering 5 and a lower covering 6, an elastic band 7 running around the perimeter of the coverings. The straps 8 are intended to support and hold the device in place. A leg is intended to fit into each strap 8, which is then pulled up over the leg. Both versions of the device come with lubricating jellies 13.

Claims: An intravaginal device comprising an elongated and elastic bag, one end (9) of said bag being adapted to fit into a female vagina and cover the surface of the vagina during sexual intercourse, characterized in that said bag is a closed bag, and that a second end (11) of said bag is the size and shape of a standard condom, and is arranged to extend initially outside of the vagina and to cover a penis with its exterior surface (12) as the penis enters the vagina. An intravaginal device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said bag is provided with an upper portion (5) and a lower portion (6) to cover the external genitalia, and an elastic band (7) is provided around the perimeters of said upper and lower portions (5,6). An intravaginal device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, comprising a means (8) for holding and supporting said bag in place. An intravaginal device as claimed in Claim 3, when dependent on Claim 2, wherein the means (8) for holding and supporting said bag in place is arranged to hold said upper and lower portions in place.

Inventors: QUIROZ , ROBERTO
Applicants: QUIROZ , ROBERTO
Application year: 1989
Main classification: A61F6
IPC codes: A61F6