Patent ID: 7553273

Claim:
An incontinence management device, comprising: a base sized to limit insertion of the incontinence management device into an anal cavity having a dentate line; a head having a first state and a second state, wherein in the first state the head is sized for insertion within the anal cavity, and wherein in the second state the head is sized to substantially seal the anal cavity above the dentate line; a neck connected to and extending between the base and the head, wherein the neck comprises a predetermined length to position the head beyond the dentate line when the incontinence management device is located at a deployed position within the anal cavity; an external surface defining the head, the neck and the base; an internal wall defining an internal cavity extending through the head the neck and the base to an opening in the base, wherein the internal cavity separates a distal side and a proximal side of the head relative to the opening wherein the head further comprises a permeable section on the distal side wherein the permeable section allows passage of gases and resists passage of liquids and solids; a scaffolding structure positioned in the internal cavity within at least the head, wherein the scaffolding structure is positioned to separate adjacent portions of the internal wall within the head in the second state, wherein the scaffolding structure is gas permeable, wherein the scaffolding structure comprises a pathway through the head to the internal cavity in the neck and the opening in the base for the gases received through the permeable section of the head; and a deployment device having an internal deployment cavity extending between an insertion end and an open end, wherein the head, the neck and the base are positionable within the deployment device when the head is in the first state.