IP Library Granted Patent US 7,344,732
Granted Patent B2
US 7,344,732 · App. 10/335,816 · Granted Mar 18, 2008

Medicated tampon

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,344,732
App. No.
10/335,816
Granted
Mar 18, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

A tampon adapted to deliver a therapeutic agent, the tampon including a tampon body that is manufactured at a first manufacturing facility; and a dosage form coupled to the body, wherein the dosage form includes a formulation including a therapeutic agent, and wherein the dosage form is manufactured at a second manufacturing facility. Also, a method for producing a medicated tampon including manufacturing a tampon body at a first manufacturing facility; manufacturing a dosage form at a second manufacturing facility, wherein the dosage form includes a formulation including a therapeutic agent; and coupling the dosage form to the tampon body.

Claims (46)

1. A tampon adapted to deliver a therapeutic agent to a tampon user, the tampon comprising:

a tampon body, wherein the tampon body is manufactured at a first manufacturing facility; and

a separate dosage form adapted to be coupled to the body, wherein the dosage form is not substantially liquefied when coupled to the tampon, wherein the dosage form includes a formulation including a therapeutic agent, wherein the dosage form is manufactured at a second manufacturing facility, wherein the dosage form and the tampon body are adapted to be sold separately to the tampon user, and wherein the tampon body and the dosage form are adapted such that the tampon user can attach the dosage form directly to the tampon body by partially melting the dosage form.

2. The tampon of claim 1 , wherein partially melted dosage form partially absorbs into the tampon body.

3. The tampon of claim 1 , wherein the dosage form is partially melted by heating the tampon body, and wherein the dosage form is attached to the tampon body by the tampon user contacting the dosage form with the tampon body.

4. A tampon adapted to deliver a therapeutic agent to a tampon user, the tampon comprising:

a tampon body, wherein the tampon body is manufactured at a first manufacturing facility; and

a separate dosage form adapted to be coupled to the tampon body, wherein the dosage form is not a film coating, wherein the dosage form includes a formulation including a therapeutic agent, wherein the dosage form is manufactured at a second manufacturing facility, wherein the dosage form and the tampon body are adapted to be sold separately to the tampon user, and wherein the tampon body and the dosage form are adapted such that the tampon user can attach the dosage form directly to the tampon body using a biologically-compatible adhesive.

5. The tampon of claim 4 , wherein the dosage form includes the biologically-compatible adhesive, and wherein the biologically-compatible adhesive is protected by a covering.

6. A method for producing a medicated tampon for use by a tampon user, the method comprising:

manufacturing a tampon body at a first manufacturing facility;

manufacturing a dosage form at a second manufacturing facility, wherein the dosage form includes a formulation including a therapeutic agent;

providing the tampon body to the tampon user,

providing the dosage form to the tampon user; and

coupling the dosage form to the tampon body, wherein the coupling act is performed by the tampon user including partially melting the dosage form.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the coupling act includes heating the tampon body, and contacting the dosage form with the tampon body to partially melt the dosage form.

8. A method for producing a medicated tampon for use by a tampon user, the method comprising:

manufacturing a tampon body at a first manufacturing facility;

manufacturing a dosage form at a second manufacturing facility, wherein the dosage form includes a formulation including a therapeutic agent;

providing the tampon body to the tampon user;

providing the dosage form to the tampon user; and

coupling the dosage form to the tampon body, wherein the coupling act is performed by the tampon user including affixing the dosage form to the tampon body using a biologically-compatible adhesive.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the coupling act includes removing a protective covering from the biologically-compatible adhesive.

10. A method of making a medicated tampon for use by a tampon user, the method comprising:

providing a tampon;

procuring a dosage form comprising a dose of a therapeutic agent; and

providing the dosage form and the tampon to a tampon user, wherein the dosage form and the tampon are adapted such that the tampon user can attach the dosage form directly to the tampon body.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the dose of the therapeutic agent remains substantially unchanged.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the dosage form is attached to the tampon by partially melting the dosage form.

13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the dosage form is attached to the tampon using a biologically-compatible adhesive.

14. The method of claim 10 , wherein the tampon includes a tampon body, and wherein the dosage form is attached to the tampon by heating the tampon body and contacting the dosage form with the tampon body to partially melt the dosage form.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein a portion of the dosage form remains substantially intact.

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the dosage form is not substantially liquefied when coupled to the tampon.

17. The method of claim 14 , wherein the tampon includes a distal end, and wherein the dosage form is positioned at the distal end of the tampon.

18. A method of making a medicated tampon for use by a tampon user, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a tampon;

procuring a dosage form comprising a dose of a therapeutic agent; and

providing the dosage form and the tampon to a tampon user, wherein the dosage form and the tampon are adapted such that the tampon user can place the dosage form adjacent to the tampon within a tube.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the dosage form remains substantially intact.

20. The method of claim 18 , wherein the tampon includes a distal end, and wherein the dosage form is placed at the distal end of the tampon.

21. A tampon adapted to deliver a therapeutic agent to a tampon user, the tampon comprising:

a tampon body; and

a dosage form adapted to be coupled to the body;

wherein the dosage form comprises a shape selected from the group consisting of a tablet, capsule, suppository, disk, and lozenge;

wherein the dosage form includes a formulation including a therapeutic agent; and

wherein the tampon body and the dosage form are adapted such that the tampon user can attach the dosage form directly to the tampon body by partially melting the dosage form.

Assignments (2)
NAME CHANGE Recorded Feb 3, 2015
From: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
To: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
Reel/Frame 034880/0742 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 26, 2003
From: GEHLING, STEVEN CRAIG
To: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
Reel/Frame 013878/0706 →