Abstract:
The object of the invention is to provide a device and means for artificial insemination. The present invention provides two methods of sperm delivery that aim to increase the success of intracervical artificial insemination. The shape and design of the present invention also allows artificial insemination to be a pleasurable experience.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/714,755 filed Oct. 17, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and made a part hereof. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is related to artificial insemination and more specifically to a device and method that functions for fertilization as well as pleasure. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention concerns a method for sexual partners or individuals wishing to artificially inseminate. The present invention allows female same-sex partners and choice mothers to become pregnant using donor sperm as well as aiding heterosexual couples in achieving fertility. Artificial insemination (AI) can be performed in a clinic or at home using a variety of techniques. Intracervical insemination (ICI) is the method for the deposition of fresh or frozen sperm into the cervix. Generally, in order to achieve the best success with each treatment the AI and ICI procedures are performed at a medical clinic and by medical professionals. Undergoing such procedures can lead to stress in both partners and may result in an unpleasant experience to some. 
     The advantages of using an ICI device as opposed to other methods of AI are that it does not require sperm “washing”—the separation of sperm from the seminal fluid—it is a relatively short procedure, and it is painless. Other methods of fertilization such as intrauterine insemination, in vitro fertilization, and surrogacy are much more costly and/or are to be performed by physicians. ICI may be performed at home with the aid of a partner or alone as long as there is a sperm donor. ICI is also not as expensive as the above physician-performed methods. 
     The success of a single type of fertility treatment, whether ICI or otherwise, may be dependent on a number of factors. Two factors that have not been addressed in the prior art are ensuring the accurate delivery of a large of sperm cells that to the correct position on the cervix, and the ability of female orgasm or female sexual pleasure to increase the sperm uptake into the uterus and thus increase the probability of fertilization. 
     ICI systems and methods are widespread and are characterized by their accessibility and lower difficulty level. Previous patents such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,511,415 and U.S. Pat. No. 8,323,178 have focused solely on delivery of sperm in the vaginal canal without considering the potential pleasurable aspects of the act. Considering some couples may that feel some form of intimacy may be lost when attempting the procedure at a clinic or using devices which resemble surgical devices it may be more preferable to provide a device that provides some pleasurable aspects during the procedure. 
     U.S. application Ser. No. 12/721,094 discloses a sexual device that will allow the wearer to artificially inseminate a partner and the device can be used to provide pleasure during its use. However, sperm delivery is accomplished using only a syringe that is activated by the user. This method of delivery by laypersons not trained in the method of AI may likely lead to incorrect delivery of the sperm. During ICI sperm must be delivered onto the cervix with a precise force that allows the sperm to reach the surface of the cervix during expulsion, however, the force should not be such that it results in sperm being reflected of the walls of the cervix. Additionally, too small of a volume of sperm delivered can cause back flow out of the cervical canal which may result in insufficient insemination. In order to increase the success of fertility it is most important to regulate the flow of sperm toward the cervical canal. 
     Devices and methods that are used in ICI require a physician to visually identify the cervix by the use of a speculum and then begin the release of sperm from the device. For best results, visual contact with the cervix has to be made throughout the procedure. Personal or home ICI kits such as described in U.S. application Ser. No. 12/721,094 do not disclose methods for ensuring the delivery of sperm to the cervix and only provide methods and devices for depositing in the vaginal canal. For these reasons it is difficult for an at home ICI device to be as successful as ICI treatments performed at a clinic by medically trained professionals. 
     The present invention includes methods for achieving greater success with fertility. Thus, the invention is comprised of a means for ejecting the sperm at a specific velocity so that it ensures a means of best delivery to the cervix. The present invention also includes methods that can cause pleasurable feelings. With the addition of pleasurable feelings to the user, the present invention can aid in the induction of a female orgasm and thereby potentially increase the likelihood of fertilization. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention aims to provide an effective solution for couples with fertility problems, same-sex couples or other persons such as choice mothers wishing to conceive a baby by ICI while also deriving sexual pleasure in the process. Additionally, the current invention also aims to increase the success of current conventional home based ICI methods. 
     The first objective of the present invention is to provide a device and method for the delivery of sperm to the cervix. As such, the present invention is comprised of an inner tube that allows sperm to be expelled from a capsule somewhere in the body of the device to an opening at the distal end and out of the device. The syringe stores sperm or any other type of liquid until the time the user determines when it is ready to be expelled. The sperm or liquid container may also be a conception cap or another type of capsule that is able to store sperm. 
     The second objective of the present invention is to provide a more reliable method of sperm entry into the cervical canal and consequently to the uterus. The present invention comprises of a syringe pump mechanism to deliver a steady jet of sperm to the cervix. This method of delivery ensures that relatively few sperm do not arrive at the intended target. 
     The third objective of the invention is to provide a sperm delivery method that is pleasurable to the recipient. For this purpose, the present invention is shaped like a dildo. A dildo is a sexual device that structurally may resemble a penis, and is a device that can be used by people of all genders and sexual orientation. Insertion of the said device may resemble sexual intercourse and may result in pleasurable sensations for the recipient. The present invention is also capable of being attached to a harness as well as providing other ways of attachment during its use. 
     An additional feature of the invention that can be used to provide pleasure is its vibrating function. The female orgasm has been shown to result in increased ability of the uterus to uptake sperm deposited in the vagina, thus increasing the probability of fertility. 
     The objects features and effects of the invention are described in details below with accompanied drawings and embodiments. 
     The aforementioned objects of the present invention are attained by a device and method that functions for fertilization. Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following drawings and detailed description of preferred embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments herein will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended photos provided to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the claims, wherein like designations denote like elements, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows the isometric views of the device; 
         FIG. 2  shows one embodiment of the device with a spring loaded mechanism used to expel the sperm or other liquid; 
         FIG. 3  shows an alternative embodiment with a syringe pump used to expel the sperm or other liquid; 
         FIG. 4  shows a method for ICI using the present invention; and 
         FIG. 5  shows the devices along with a battery and charger port. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention and the various features and advantages details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments described in detail in the following description. 
       FIG. 1A  shows the invention consists of a dildo  11 , a cylindrical tube  20 , a syringe  17  and a means of sperm delivery. The device can be defined as having a proximal end  90  and a distal end  80 . The dildo  11  in the present invention can be made of silicone or metal, glass, plastic, gel, or rubber which may be in the form of a penis. The dildo  11  may be a simple cylindrical shape, a penis-like shape or another shape that can be used to provide pleasure. The size of the dildo can vary based on user preference. The dildo  11  has an opening  12  at its distal end  80  which is the where sperm or any type of liquid is ejected. As shown in  FIG. 1B , the dildo  11  will contain a cylindrical tube  20  of a predefined diameter that is made of flexible plastic or another material. The cylindrical tube  20  will begin at the opening  20  located at the distal end  80  of the dildo  11  and continuing to some length to the stationary anterior wall  14  of a hollowed out chamber  15  in the dildo  11 . The cylindrical tube  20  runs through the core of the dildo and is used to deliver sperm or any other type of fluid, which may also be used, from the syringe  17  and into the vagina through the dildo  11 . At the stationary wall  14 , the cylindrical tube  20  is attached to end of the syringe  17 . The syringe  17  contains a unit of semen, or washed sperm, or any type of liquid that the user has decided to use. 
     For achieving the best results with ICI it is important that the sperm be delivered close or onto the cervical opening, therefore the force and velocity of the ejected sperm should be regulated as to maximize the amount of sperm that is deposited in the desired area.  FIG. 2  shows an embodiment of the device with a mechanism that can be used for such a purpose. The dildo  11  contains an empty chamber  15  with a mobile wall  16  near the proximal end  90  of the dildo. The chamber  15  is made to fit a syringe  17 . The movable wall  16  of the chamber is attached to springs  21 - 22  which are connected to the stationary wall  14  at the distal end of the chamber. When the chamber  15  is empty or when an empty syringe is placed in the chamber the mobile wall  16  is at its nearest position to the distal end and the springs  21 - 22  are not under tension, as shown in  FIG. 2B . Placing a syringe  17  filled with sperm or any other type of liquid requires that the wall be drawn back toward the proximal end, as shown in  FIG. 2C . The drawing back of the wall places the springs  21 - 23  under tension.  FIG. 2D  shows that when drawn back, the mobile wall  16  is kept in position by a mechanical pin  25 - 26  which can be released with a press of a button  50  located at the near proximal end  90  of the dildo  11 . Release of the pins  25 - 26  releases the tension of the springs  21 - 22  and causes the mobile wall  16  to move toward the distal end  80  of the dildo  11 . This action forces the plunger of the syringe  17  forward and thereby causes the release of the sperm or other liquids through the tube  20  and out of the opening  12 . The tension of the springs  21 - 212  can be adjusted, and springs with different spring constants can be used to control the force of release of the sperm of other liquids through the opening  12 . 
     The mechanical pin  25 - 26  can have a timer so that the wall  16  can be set to eject the sperm at a pre-arranged time or may be activated at will by user preference. The function of the pins  25 - 26  is known to someone skilled in the art and the pins  25 - 26  can be configured to eject sperm in a constant jet stream type of fashion or to eject in several pulses in order to simulate a physiological ejaculation. This can be done by having a series of pins with limited stopping power so that they only prevent the wall  16  from reaching the distal end for a limited time. 
     An alternative embodiment of the invention uses a syringe pump, as shown in  FIG. 3 . The syringe pump is comprised of a motor  32 , such as a stepper motor, and connected to a gear assembly  33  via a rotor  34 . The gear assembly  33  is engaged with a moving wall  30  via a series of teeth  31 . This rack and pinion mechanism serves to transfer the rotational energy of the motor  32  to linear movement of the moving wall  30 . The moving wall  30  shown in  FIG. 3  is L-shaped but other configurations of this mobile wall may be possible to one who is skilled in the art. There is also a controller  35  or a logic circuit board that is connected to the motor  32 . The controller  35  is connected electronically to a panel  50  located outside the device. Operation of this embodiment begins with the user entering a command on a panel  50  outside the device. The controller  35  receives the commands from the panel  50  and begins operation of the stepper motor  32 . The stepper motor  32  controls the rotation of the gear assembly  33 . The rotation of the gear assembly moves the moving panel  30  towards the distal end  80 . When a syringe  17  is placed inside of the chamber  15  the moving panel  30  depresses the plunger on the syringe  13 . The force and velocity of the ejected sperm through the opening  16  is controlled by the instruction entered on the panel  36  outside of the device. 
     Alternative embodiments can be made to increase pleasure of the user. In addition to the shape of the present device that is designed to induce pleasure, the present invention also contains a vibrating function. The vibration function is achieved by vibrating motor(s)  100  that is inserted in the distal end of the dildo  80 , at its proximal end  90  or anywhere in the body of the device. In this alternative embodiment, the device can contain a panel for inserting batteries  57 . The batteries  57  will be used to provide power for the vibrating motors and the stepper motor  32  for the syringe pump. Alternatively as shown in  FIG. 5 , the device may contain a charger  55  with a charging slot  52  in a charging base  51  with a power cord  56  that can be plugged into an electrical outlet that will provide power for recharging the batteries  57 . 
     In all of the embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the device  11  is inserted into the vagina  40  and can be operated as a conventional dildo. If the device contains a vibrating motor  100  that function may be turned on in order to increase the pleasurable feelings. At the desired or prearranged time, the sperm can be ejected into the vagina  40  with the push of the button on the panel  50 . The sperm then flows out of the syringe  17  through the cylindrical tube  20  in the center of the dildo  11  and is expelled out of the opening  12  in the distal end  80  of the dildo. The use of the steady stream form the syringe pump mechanism aims to ensure that the majority of the sperm arrive at or near the cervix  41 . The sperm can then travel through the cervical canal  41  the uterus  42  and fallopian tubes  43 - 44  and attempt to fertilize an egg if there is one present. The syringe  17  also allows for ejection of the sperm through the opening  12  at the distal end  80  at a rate that is dependent on the depression of the plunger as part of the syringe  17 . 
     The vibration function of the present invention works by having a motor  22  attached at certain points of the device. In one embodiment of the present invention, the device could contain vibrating motors  22  at the proximal  80  and distal  90  ends of the device but the motors can be placed anywhere on the device. The vibration can be turned off during the time that the sperm is ready to be ejected from the opening  12  of the device by the action of pumping mechanism or the automatic syringe pump. An optional attachment that can provide additional stimulation to the clitoris can be attached. In this manner, the device can provide pleasure and thereby attempt to induce a female orgasm after the sperm have been ejected out of the device through the opening  12 . The induction of an orgasm may aid in the success of the fertility treatment. 
     In order to further simulate physiological sexual intercourse the device may contain a harness mount that can be attached to or is a part of the dildo  11 . The harness mount can be inserted in a standard sized hole in most harnesses. The dildo  11  can then function in the same manner as previously described. Additionally, the shape of the instrument may be straight and cylindrical, it may curve near the proximal or distal ends or in the middle and may curve multiple times. The length of the object at either end of such a curve can vary. The object can also be made to vaginally enter at both proximal and distal ends with the ejecting means and chamber repeated for each end. 
     The chamber  15  can be designed to fit and adjust to multiple sizes and shapes of syringes. The shape of the syringe can vary in width or length, or it may be curved at some point. Alternatively, an embodiment that does not contain a syringe can be used. In this case, a tube or a cartridge may be used that is inserted in the chamber  15 . In this embodiment, a plunger is provided with the device and is attached to the movable wall  16  or  30 . The ejection of the sperm then proceeds as previously described with the mechanisms shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 . 
     The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 
     With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum relationships for the parts of the invention in regard to size, shape, form, materials, function and manner of operation, assembly and use are deemed readily apparent and obvious to those skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.