Patent Publication Number: US-2006004318-A1

Title: Disposable device that supplies a material to a vagina

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      Some embodiments of the present invention relate to a disposable vaginal device, and in particular to a disposable device that supplies a material to a vagina.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      A typical vagina is a relatively long and tube-like structure that extends from the cervical os (i.e., entry to the womb) down to the introitus. A vagina will normally emit secretions from glands in the vaginal canal and the interior of the uterus. As an example, mucous can develop during the phase of the menstrual cycle where the endometrium thickens and glands in the endometrium secrete mucous.  
      Vaginal secretions are typically not harmful but occasionally debris in the form of blood or seminal fluid can accumulate within the vagina. When debris accumulates within the vagina it may be beneficial to be able to instill the vagina with fragrances, cleansers, medications, germicides and/or deodorants (among other items).  
      One method of instilling an agent into a vagina includes using a product to force a fluid up into the vagina. Some of these types of products include a nozzle that is attached to a bottle filled with a solution (e.g., a cleansing solution). The solution is forced through the nozzle into the vagina under pressure.  
      One drawback with such products is that bacteria can be forced into, or past, the cervical os when too much pressure is applied. In addition, these types of products can rinse out healthy, normal flora (lactobacillus) along with unwanted materials, such as semen, discharges and bacteria.  
      There are some vaginal products that are applied to the vagina as films, suppositories, creams and gels (among others) which are later discharged from the body. One drawback with such products is that they are difficult to insert up into the vagina. Another drawback is that such items are discharged from the vagina over time such that a pantiliner is often required for a period of time after the items are applied to the vagina to prevent staining in undergarments.  
      There are some vaginal products that are designed to mechanically clean a vagina without using pressurized fluid. These types of devices are typically inserted into the vagina and mechanically manipulated in order in clean the vagina. One drawback with using such devices is that they are sometimes difficult to properly insert into the vagina.  
      There is a need for a vaginal device that is able to apply a material to the vagina without causing the vagina to become dry and irritated. The vaginal device should also be able to deliver materials into the vagina with minimal mess and without using high pressure fluid. It would also be desirable if the device was small, portable, discreet and sanitary while being able to store materials that get applied to the vagina for an extended period of time.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      One aspect of the invention relates to a disposable device for supplying a material to a vagina. The disposable device includes a housing, a membrane and a material (e.g., a liquid) that is at least partially enclosed by the membrane. The device further includes a core that is positioned within the housing. The core is movable within the housing to open the membrane.  
      In some embodiments, the housing includes a first end and a second end and the core includes a handle and a swab that is secured to the handle. The membrane may be ruptured such that the swab absorbs the liquid. There are some embodiments where the membrane may be positioned between the swab and the second end of the housing before the membrane is ruptured and other embodiments where the membrane may be positioned between the swab and the first end of the housing before the membrane is ruptured.  
      In some embodiments, the core may be movable within the housing between a first position where the swab is at least partially within the housing and a second position where the swab is extended through a second end of the housing. The membrane may be ruptured when the core is at any location between the first position and the second position as long as the swab is still at least partially within the housing.  
      In some embodiments, the housing includes resilient members that close the second end of the housing. In addition, the membrane may include an elastic member that seals the liquid inside the membrane. The tips of the resilient members engage the elastic member of the membrane such that the elastic member opens as the core moves within the housing to force the resilient members apart. The core may continually be moved relative to the housing until the core forces the material through the elastic band to dispense the material from the membrane to a vagina.  
      Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of supplying a material to a vagina. The method includes positioning a disposable device near a vagina. As an example, the disposable device may be inserted into the vagina. The disposable device includes a housing and a core that is positioned within the housing. The disposable device further includes a membrane and a material (e.g., a liquid) that is at least partially enclosed by the membrane. The method further includes moving the core relative to the housing to open the membrane.  
      In some embodiments, moving the core relative to the housing to open the membrane includes rupturing the membrane. It should be noted that moving the core relative to the housing may include (i) moving the core to engage the core with the membrane; or (ii) moving the core to engage the membrane with the housing.  
      In some embodiments, the core includes a handle and a swab that is secured to the handle such that rupturing the membrane may include rupturing the membrane with the swab. In other embodiments, rupturing the membrane may include rupturing the membrane with the handle.  
      In some embodiments, the housing includes a first end and a second end and the membrane includes an elastic member that seals the material inside the membrane. The second end of the housing includes resilient members that close the second end of the housing. The tips of the resilient members engage the elastic member of the membrane such that moving the core includes forcing apart the resilient members to open the elastic member. The method may further include engaging a stop on the core with the housing such that the core is prevented from further movement into the housing. The stop may be positioned on the core such that the stop prevents the core from moving far enough into housing to dislodge the membrane from the housing. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The above-mentioned and other features will become more apparent and better understood by reference to the following description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.  
       FIG. 1  is a side view illustrating an example disposable device for supplying a material to a vagina.  
       FIG. 2  is a section view of the disposable device shown in  FIG. 1  taken along line  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 3  is a section view illustrating the disposable device shown in  FIG. 2  as a membrane within the device is being ruptured.  
       FIG. 4  is a section view similar to  FIG. 2  illustrating another example embodiment of the disposable device shown in  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 5  is a section view illustrating the disposable device shown in  FIG. 4  as a membrane within the device is being ruptured.  
       FIG. 6  is a section view illustrating another example disposable device with a core of the device in a first position.  
       FIG. 7  is a section view of the disposable device shown in  FIG. 6  with a core of the device in a second position.  
       FIG. 8  is a section view of the disposable device shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  as a membrane within the device is being ruptured.  
       FIG. 9  is a section view illustrating another example embodiment of the disposable device shown in  FIG. 6  with a core of the device in a first position.  
       FIG. 10  is a section view of the disposable device shown in  FIG. 9  with a core of the device in a second position.  
       FIG. 11  is a section view of the disposable device shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10  as a membrane within the device is being ruptured.  
       FIG. 12  is a section view illustrating another example disposable device for supplying a material to a vagina.  
       FIG. 13  is a section view of the disposable device shown in  FIG. 12  as a core of the device moves within a housing.  
       FIG. 14  is a section view of the disposable device shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13  as the core of the device forces a material through an elastic band of a membrane.  
       FIG. 15  is a section view of the disposable device shown in  FIGS. 12-14  as the core of the device forces the membrane through the elastic band.  
       FIG. 16  is a section view illustrating another example disposable device for supplying a material to a vagina.  
       FIG. 17  is a section view of the disposable device shown in  FIG. 17  as a core of the device ruptures a membrane within a swab.  
       FIG. 18  is a section view of the disposable device shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17  after a material within the membrane is absorbed into the swab.  
       FIGS. 19-21  are schematic views illustrating an example method of supplying a material to a vagina.  
       FIGS. 22-24  are schematic views illustrating another example method of supplying a material to a vagina.  
       FIGS. 25-27  are schematic views illustrating still another example method of supplying a material to a vagina. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      The disposable device of the present invention may provide an efficient, healthy and low-cost way to supply a material to a vagina. The disposable device may also provide an effective way to clean a vagina.  
      As used herein, “disposable device” includes a device that is disposed of after use and is not intended for reuse. The disposable device described herein may be especially useful to an individual that needs to clean and/or apply a material to their vagina in a variety of situations.  
       FIGS. 1-5  illustrate an example disposable device  10  for supplying a material to a vagina. The disposable device  10  includes a housing  12 , a membrane  14  and a material (e.g., liquid  16 ) that is at least partially enclosed by the membrane  14 . The device  10  further includes a core  20  that is positioned within the housing  12 . The core  20  is movable within the housing  12  to open the membrane  14 . In some example embodiments, the membrane  14  is ruptured by the housing  12  and/or the core  20 .  
       FIG. 2  shows an example embodiment where the membrane  14  is attached to the housing  12  before being ruptured while  FIG. 3  shows the membrane  14  being ruptured. In the example embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the membrane  14  and the housing  12  enclose the liquid  16  before the membrane  14  is ruptured to dispense the liquid  16 . It should be noted that in some embodiments the liquid  16  is enclosed only by the membrane  14 .  
      As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the core  20  may include a poke  23  that ruptures the membrane  14  as the core  20  engages the membrane  14 . The poke  23  may have any configuration that facilitates rupturing the membrane  14 . In addition, the core  20  may include a plurality of pokes such that multiple pokes are used to rupture membrane  14 .  
      The membrane  14  may be made from a material that is non-toxic, low cost and hygienic. Some example materials that may be used for the membrane  14  include plastic, amorphous polyalphaolefin, propylene-ethylene co-polymer, ethylene-butene polymer, polyethylene oxide with polyesters and/or polyurethanes, polyethylene oxide with ethylene co-polymer, PVA with ethylene co-polymer, methylmethacrylate with PVA and latex (among other materials).  
      In some embodiments, the membrane  14  may be a combination of polymers. As an example, some combinations of polymers may include multiple layers with one of the layers being water soluble and another of the layers being water insoluble. It should be noted that embodiments are contemplated where one polymer is a coating while another polymer is a film.  
       FIG. 4  shows an example embodiment where the membrane  14  is attached to the core  20  before being ruptured while  FIG. 5  shows the membrane  14  being ruptured. In the example embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the membrane  14  and the core  20  enclose the liquid  16  before the membrane  14  is ruptured to dispense the liquid  16 . It should be noted that in some embodiments the liquid  16  is enclosed only by the membrane  14 .  
      As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the housing  12  may include a poke  24  that ruptures the membrane  14  as the membrane  14  engages the housing  12 . The poke  24  may have any configuration that facilitates rupturing the membrane  14 . In addition, the housing  12  may include a plurality of pokes such that multiple pokes are used to rupture membrane  14 .  
      In the example embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 1-5 , the housing  12  is a cylindrical tube. It should be noted that the cross-section of the housing  12  may take a variety of forms (e.g., circle, square, rectangle and polygon) depending on the properties that are desired within the disposable device  10 .  
      The housing  12  may be made from a material that is non-toxic, low cost and hygienic. Some example materials that may be used for housing  12  include polyethylene and polypropylene (among other materials). In some embodiments, the housing  12  may be made from a combination of materials.  
      The width (i.e., outer diameter) of the housing  12  may vary depending on the functional properties that are desired of the disposable device  10 . In some embodiments, the housing may be small enough to make it easy for a user to insert the disposable device  10  into the vagina while being wide enough to give the housing  12  sufficient space to store the core  20 . As an example, the width of the housing  12  may be between 25 mm and 60 mm.  
      The wall thickness of the housing  12  should be large enough to provide sufficient rigidity to the disposable device  10  during vaginal insertion. As an example the wall thickness may be between 2 mm and 10 mm. In addition, the length of the housing  12  may be between 60 mm and 150 mm. The relative lengths of the housing  12  and the core  20  may vary depending on the desired properties of the disposable device  10 .  
       FIGS. 6-11  illustrate another example disposable device  30  for supplying a material to a vagina of the present invention. The disposable device  30  includes a housing  32 , a membrane  34  and a liquid  36  that is at least partially enclosed by the membrane  34 . The device  30  further includes a core  40  that is positioned within the housing  32 . The core  40  is movable within the housing  32  to open the membrane  34 .  
      The core  40  includes a handle  41  and a swab  44  that is secured to the handle  41 . The membrane  34  may be ruptured by the housing  32  and/or the core  40  such that the swab  44  absorbs the liquid  36 .  
      In the example embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 6-8 , the housing  32  includes a first end  46  and a second end  47  such that the membrane  14  may be positioned between the swab  44  and the second end  47  of the housing  32  before the membrane  34  is ruptured. The core  40  is axially movable within the housing  32  between a first position ( FIG. 6 ) where the swab  44  may be at least partially within the housing  32  and a second position ( FIG. 7 ) where the swab  44  is extended through the second end  47  of the housing  32 . The swab  44  may be positioned entirely within the housing  32  when the core  40  is in the first position and/or may be positioned entirely outside the housing  32  when the core  40  is in the second position.  
      As shown in  FIG. 8 , the membrane  34  may be ruptured by the swab  44 . The membrane  34  may be ruptured when the core  40  is at any location between the first position and the second position as long as the swab  44  is still within the housing  32 . In some embodiments, the membrane  34  may be ruptured just as the core  40  is moved from the first position.  
      In the example embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 9-11 , the membrane  34  is positioned between the swab  44  and the first end  46  of the housing  32  before the membrane  34  is ruptured. The core  40  is movable within the housing  32  between a first position ( FIG. 9 ) where the swab  44  may be at least partially within the housing  32  and a second position ( FIG. 10 ) where the swab  44  is extended through the second end  47  of the housing  32 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 11 , the membrane  34  may also be ruptured by the handle  41 . The membrane  34  may be ruptured when the core  40  is at any location between the first position and the second position as long as the swab  44  is still at least partially within the housing  32 . In some embodiments, the membrane  34  may be ruptured just as the core  40  is moved from the first position.  
      As used herein, the term “securing” means permanently bonding. Any securing, or bonding, of the handle  41  to the swab  44  may occur at any time during the fabrication of the disposable device  30 . Some of the example methods that may be used to bond the swab  44  to the handle  41  include adhesive bonding, thermal bonding and ultrasonic bonding (among others). In the illustrated example embodiment, the handle  41  is embedded in the swab  44 .  
      In some embodiments, the swab  44  has a length that may be between 50 mm and 150 mm and a width that may be between 25 mm and 50 mm. The swab  44  may be constructed of any material that is suitable for insertion into a vagina. Some example materials include cotton, rayon, wood pulp and polymeric substances such as nonwoven fabrics, foam sponges and thermoplastics.  
      The swab  44  may be designed with any type of surface that enhances the disposable device&#39;s cleaning and/or adsorption properties. In addition, the surface of the swab  24  may be textured to facilitate removal of residue and film from the vagina.  
      In some embodiments, the swab  44  may be composed of a nonwoven fabric. As used herein, “nonwoven fabric” refers to a web or fabric (made partly or wholly of non-cellulose material) that includes individual fibers which are interlaid (randomly or in a pattern) in a knitted fabric. The nonwoven webs may be formed by many processes, including meltblowing, spunbonding and bonded carded. The nonwoven fabrics that are used in the swab  44  may be produced from polymers such as polyethylene or polypropylene.  
      The swab  44  may also be formed of a nonwoven fabric that is made of an array of interbonded thermoplastic fibers. The fibers may be formed from a wide variety of thermoplastic materials. Some example thermoplastic materials include polyolefins (e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene), polystyrene and polyamides (e.g., nylon). In addition, thermoplastic polymers that are elastomeric may also be used as fibers. Some example elastomeric materials include polyurethanes and block copolymers. It should be noted that blends of any of the foregoing materials may be used to form the fibers. The fibers may also include additives (e.g., wax, pigments, stabilizers and fillers) that are inserted as the fibers are fabricated to achieve one or more desired properties within the fibers.  
      In some embodiments, the swab  44  may include a cover material (not shown) that is placed on the swab  44  to prevent fiber sloughing and/or improve the wettablilty of the swab  44 . There are also cover materials that may provide stain-masking.  
      As examples, the cover material may store and/or capture debris, cleansers, lubricants, spermicidal agents and medications (among other materials) before and/or during use of the disposable device  30 . In addition, the swab  44  and/or cover material may be able to remove certain select materials from a vagina. Some example cover materials include spunbound, spunlace, bonded carded web and apertured film materials. In one example embodiment, the cover material is an apertured film that is formed of a polyolefin which may or may not be combined with a nonwoven fabric.  
      When a nonwoven fabric is used as the material for the swab  44 , the basis weight of the nonwoven fabric may vary depending on the properties that are desired within the swab  44 . As an example the basis weight for the nonwoven fabric may be as low as  10  grams per square meter and as high as 300 grams per square meter.  
      The housing  32  helps to protect the swab  44  from contamination when the core  40  is in the first position. In some embodiments, the second end  47  of the housing  32  includes resilient members  48  that at least partially close the second end  47  of the housing  32 . As the core  40  is moved from the first position to the second position, the resilient members  48  are forced apart by the swab  44  (see  FIGS. 7 and 10 ). Although the resilient members  48  are shown as relatively thin sections, the resilient members  48  may be a variety of shapes and sizes.  
      The handle  41  may be a variety shapes and sizes. As an example, the cross-section of the handle  41  may take a variety of forms (e.g., circle, square, rectangle and polygon) depending on the properties that are desired within the disposable device  30 .  
      The handle  41  may be made from any material that is suitable for use in the disposable device. The handle  41  should be made from a material that is non-toxic, low cost and hygienic. Some example materials that may be used for handle  41  include paper, cardboard, polyethylene and polypropylene (among other materials). In some embodiments, the handle  41  may be made from a combination of materials.  
      It should be noted that handle  41  may be solid or hollow. When the handle  41  is hollow, the wall thickness of the handle  41  should be large enough to provide sufficient rigidity to the disposable device  30 .  
      In some embodiments, the handle  41  may have a length that is between 40 mm and 250 mm. The handle  41  and the swab  44  may be sized to keep the handle  41  far enough outside the vagina when the core  40  is in the second position to allow a user to adequately manipulate the swab  44  via the handle  41 . In addition, the handle  41  and the swab  44  may be sized to be short enough to allow a user to generate sufficient pressure on the vagina with the swab  44  via the handle  41 . The relative lengths of the swab  44 , housing  32  and handle  41  may vary depending on the desired properties of the disposable device  30 .  
      The width (i.e., outer diameter) of the handle  41  may be small enough to make it easy for a user to insert the disposable device into the vagina while being wide enough to give the handle  41  sufficient rigidity to properly clean inside the vagina and/or apply a material to the vagina. As an example, the width of the handle  41  may be between 3 mm and 50 mm depending in part on the material that used for the handle  41 .  
       FIGS. 12-15  illustrate another example disposable device  50  for supplying a material to a vagina. The disposable device  50  includes a housing  52 , a membrane  54  and a material (e.g., liquid  56 ) that is enclosed by the membrane  54 . The device  50  further includes a core  60  that is positioned within the housing  52 . The core  60  is movable within the housing  52  to open the membrane  54 .  
      The housing  52  includes a first end  61  and a second end  62 . The second end  62  of the housing includes resilient members  57  that close the second end  62  of the housing  54  ( FIGS. 12 and 13 ).  
      The membrane  54  includes an elastic member  55  that seals the liquid  56  inside the membrane  54 .  FIG. 13  shows the position of the core  60  just as the core  60  engages the second end  62  of the housing  52 . The tips of the resilient members  57  engage the elastic member  55  of the membrane  54  such that the elastic member  55  opens as the core  60  moves within the housing  52  to force the resilient members  57  apart.  
      The core  60  moves relative to the housing  52  until the core  60  forces the liquid  56  through the elastic band  55  ( FIG. 14 ) to dispense the liquid  56  from the membrane  54  to the vagina (not shown in  FIGS. 12-15 ). In some embodiments, the core  60  continues to move relative to the housing  52  such that the core  60  forces the membrane  54  through the elastic band  55  ( FIG. 15 ) to ensure that the liquid  56  is dispensed from the membrane  54  to the vagina. The membrane  54  may need to be forced through the elastic member  55  in order to adequately dispense some materials (e.g., powders or high viscosity liquids).  
      The membrane  54  and the elastic member  55  may be made from a material that is non-toxic, low cost and hygienic. Some example materials that may be used for the membrane  54  and the elastic member  55  include Latex, spandex, Lycra®, Lycra® with nonwoven material, nitrile, neoprene, butadiene, ethylene-propylene, nylon, acrylic and polyester (among other materials).  
      In some embodiments, the membrane  54  and/or the elastic member  55  may be made from a combination of materials. In addition, the membrane  54  and the elastic member  55  may be made from the same material or different materials.  
      In some embodiments of the disposable device  50 , the core  60  includes a stop  65 . As shown most clearly in  FIG. 15 , the core  60  is moved relative to the housing  52  until the stop  65  on the core  60  engages the housing  52  to prevent further insertion of the core  60  into the housing  52 . The stop  65  should be located on the core  60  to prevent the core  60  from dislodging the membrane  54  at the second end  62  of the housing  52 . The relative lengths and widths of the core  60  and housing  52  may vary depending on the desired properties of the disposable device  50  as long as the stop  65  prevents the core  60  moving far enough into housing  52  to dislodge the membrane  54  from the housing  52 .  
      In the example embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 12-15 , the stop  65  is an annular disk that projects from the core  60  to engage the first end  61  of the housing  52 . As shown most clearly in  FIG. 15 , the first end  61  of the housing  52  includes a projection (e.g., end cap  63 ) that extends into an opening in the housing  52 . It should be noted that in other embodiments the housing  52  may not include an end cap  63  such that the stop  65  directly engages the wall of the housing  52  at the first end  61  of the housing  52 . Many other embodiments are contemplated for the core  60 , housing  52  and/or stop  65  as long as the stop  65  prevents further insertion of the core  60  into the housing  52 .  
      The disposable devices described herein may further include a locking mechanism that precludes the membrane from being ruptured prematurely. The locking mechanism precludes premature rupturing of the membrane by preventing the core from moving relative to the housing. It should be noted that any type of locking mechanism may be incorporated into the disposable devices described herein, including locking mechanisms which are known now, or developed in the future.  
       FIGS. 16-18  illustrate another example disposable device  70  for supplying a material to a vagina of the present invention. The disposable device  70  includes a housing  72  having a first end  81  and a second end  82 , and a core  80  which is positioned within the housing  72 . The device  70  further includes a membrane  74  and a material (e.g., liquid  76 ) that is enclosed by the membrane  74 .  
       FIG. 16  shows that the membrane  74  is embedded in a swab  84  that is attached to the second end  82  of the housing  72 . The core  80  is movable within the housing  72  to open (i.e., rupture) the membrane  74  within the swab  84  (see  FIG. 17 ). As shown in  FIG. 18 , once the core  80  ruptures the membrane  74 , the swab  84  absorbs the liquid  76 .  
      In some embodiments of the disposable device  70 , the core  80  includes a stop  85 . As shown most clearly in  FIG. 18 , the core  80  is moved relative to the housing  72  until the stop  85  on the core  80  engages the housing  72  to prevent further insertion of the core  80  into the housing  72 . The stop  85  should be located on the core  80  to prevent the core  80  from damaging the swab  84 . The relative lengths and widths of the swab  84 , core  80  and housing  72  may vary depending on the desired properties of the disposable device  70  as long as the stop  85  prevents the core  80  moving far enough into housing  72  to damage swab  84 .  
      In any of the disposable devices described or reference herein, the material in the disposable device may be a cleanser. The term “cleanser” refers to any paste, gel, powder, oil, liquid or any other appropriate medium that may be used in vaginal cleansing. Some example cleansers include surfactants such as water-soluble polymers, polysorbates, glycerins, glycol-based surfactants and/or silicone-based surfactants.  
      The cleanser should not kill significant amounts of lactobacillus while removing unwanted debris during cleaning of the vagina. In addition, the cleanser should not contain ingredients that might lead to dry vaginal mucosal tissue.  
      In some embodiments, the cleanser may include a moisturizer that helps to maintain a normal hydration level within the vagina. The cleanser may also contain preservatives and other ingredients that do not disrupt the normal flora of the vaginal vault (e.g., sorbic acid, citric acid, methyl paraben and natural preservatives such as grapefruit extract).  
      It should be noted that the material may include other items besides cleansers such that the disposable devices described herein can be used to apply any number of materials to the vagina. Some example materials include lubricants and other inactive or active ingredients (e.g., a spermicidal agent or a medication). Another example material may be a motility enabler that facilitates sperm motility. The material may also include other items, such as water, salts, vinegars, humectants, scouring powders, thickening agents and aromas (among others).  
      An example method of supplying a material to a vagina will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 19-21 . As shown in  FIG. 19 , the method includes positioning a disposable device  10  near a vagina  100 . In the illustrated embodiments, positioning the disposable device  10  near the vagina  100  includes inserting the disposable device  10  into the vagina  100 . The disposable device  10  includes a housing  12  and a core  20  that is positioned within the housing  12 . The disposable device  10  further includes a membrane  14  and a material (e.g., liquid  16 ) that is at least partially enclosed by the membrane  14 .  
      As shown in  FIGS. 20 and 21 , the method further includes moving the core  20  relative to the housing  12  to open the membrane  14 . In some embodiments, moving the core  20  relative to the housing  12  to open the membrane  14  includes rupturing the membrane  14 .  
       FIG. 20  shows that moving the core  20  relative to the housing  12  may include engaging the core  20  with the membrane  14  ( FIG. 20 ). In addition, moving the core  20  may include engaging a poke  23  on the core  20  with the membrane  14 .  
      In other embodiments, moving the core  20  relative to the housing  12  may include engaging the membrane  14  with the housing  12  ( FIG. 21 ). In addition, moving the core  20  may include engaging the membrane  14  with a poke  24  on the housing  12 .  
      Another example method of supplying a material to a vagina will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 22-24 . As shown in  FIG. 22 , the method includes positioning a disposable device  30  near a vagina  100  (e.g., by inserting the disposable device  30  into the vagina  100 ). The disposable device  30  includes a housing  32  having a first end  46  and a second end  47 , and a core  40  that is positioned within the housing  32 . The disposable device  30  further includes a membrane  34  and a liquid  36  that is at least partially enclosed by the membrane  34 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 23 , the method further includes moving the core  40  relative to the housing  32  to open the membrane  34 . It should be noted that moving the core  40  relative to the housing  32  to open the membrane  34  may include rupturing the membrane  34 . In the example embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 22-24 , the core  40  includes a handle  41  and a swab  44  that is secured to the handle  41  such that rupturing the membrane  34  may include rupturing the membrane  34  with the swab  44 . In other embodiments, rupturing the membrane  34  may include rupturing the membrane  34  with the handle  41  (see, e.g., device  30  in  FIGS. 9-11 ).  
      As shown in  FIG. 24 , the method may further include grasping the handle  41  of the core  40  and rotating the handle  41  to (i) clean inside the vagina  100  with the swab  44 ; and/or (ii) apply a material (e.g., a lubricant) to the vagina  100  with the swab  44 . In some embodiments, the housing  32  includes a first end  46  and a second end  47  such that moving the core  40  relative to the housing  32  may include moving the core  40  between a first position ( FIG. 22 ) where the swab  44  is at least partially within the housing  32  and a second position ( FIG. 24 ) where the swab  44  is extended through the second end  47  of the housing  32 .  
      Another example method of supplying a material to a vagina will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 25-27 . The method includes positioning a disposable device  50  near a vagina  100 . As an example,  FIG. 25  shows inserting the disposable device  50  into the vagina  100 . The disposable device  50  includes a housing  52  having a first end  61  and a second end  62 , and a core  60  that is positioned within the housing  52 . The disposable device  50  further includes a membrane  54  and a material (e.g., liquid  56 ) that is enclosed by the membrane  54 . The membrane  54  includes an elastic member  55  that seals the liquid  56  inside the membrane  54 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 26 , the method further includes moving the core  60  relative to the housing  52  to open the membrane  54 . In some embodiments, the second end  62  of the housing  52  includes resilient members  57  that close the second end  62  of the housing  52 . The tips of the resilient members  57  engage the elastic member  55  of the membrane  54  such that moving the core  60  includes forcing apart the resilient members  57  to open the elastic member  55 .  
       FIG. 27  shows that moving the core  60  relative to the housing  52  may further include forcing the membrane  54  through the elastic member  55  to dispense the liquid  56  within the vagina. It should be noted that other materials besides liquids may be stored within the disposable device  50 . Depending on the type of material that is stored within the disposable device  50 , the membrane  54  may need to be forced through the elastic member  55  in order to more thoroughly dispense the material within the vagina  100 .  
      The method may further include engaging a stop  65  on the core  60  with the housing  52  such that the core  60  is prevented from further movement into the housing  52  ( FIG. 24 ). The stop  65  may be positioned on the core  60  such that the stop  65  prevents the core  60  from moving far enough into housing  52  to dislodge the membrane  54  from the housing  52 .  
      Any of the disposable devices shown and/or described herein may used in any of the methods of supplying a material to a vagina described herein. While the invention has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that there are variations of, and equivalents to these embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be determined by the appended claims and any equivalents thereto.