Granted Patent B2

US 7,618,403 · App. 10/882,913 · Granted Nov 17, 2009

Abstract

Claims (46)

1. A fluid management device for use in a mammalian body, the device comprising at least one fluid transport element arranged and configured to interface with a mammalian body element to provide a substantially uninterrupted fluid conduit to a fluid storage element in fluid communication therewith; wherein the at least one fluid transport element comprises at least one flexible plate that:

i. is arranged and configured to extend radially outward from the fluid storage element; and

ii. is arranged and configured to bend about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fluid storage element; and

iii. has a Wing Stiffness of 0.4 g f to about 10 g f ; and

iv. is arranged and configured to direct fluid to an interface with the fluid storage element; and

v. has a width perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fluid storage element

wherein the fluid conduit extends the entire width of the first plate, and the at least one fluid transport element further comprises a second plate coupled to the first plate, the second plate being arranged and configured to separate from the first plate sufficiently to provide inter-plate capillary action throughout the fluid conduit, the second plate comprising a first surface disposed and maintained in facing relationship with the inwardly oriented surface of the first plate and an opposite surface.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein at least one flexible plate is a first plate having an outwardly oriented surface and an inwardly oriented surface.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first and second plates are formed from a single sheet-like element.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein a plurality of fluid transport elements are formed from a single sheet-like element.

5. The device of claim 1 , further comprising an additional fluid transport element, each fluid transport element directing fluid to an associated interface with the fluid storage element.

6. The device of claim 1 , further comprising an additional fluid transport element.

7. The device of claim 6 , wherein each fluid transport element comprises at least one plate.

8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the fluid transport element forms an outer surface of the fluid storage element.

9. The device of claim 1 , wherein the fluid transport element extends into the fluid storage element.

10. The device of claim 1 , wherein the fluid storage element comprises an absorbent structure.

11. The device of claim 10 , wherein the fluid storage element further comprises a transfer element.

12. The device of claim 11 , wherein the transfer element comprises an outer layer of the fluid storage element.

13. The device of claim 1 , which is of a size to fit completely within the mammalian body.

14. The device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one flexible plate has a Wing Stiffness of about 0.4 g f to about 4 g f .

15. The device of claim 14 , wherein the at least one flexible plate has a Wing Stiffness of about 0.5 g f to about 3 g f .

16. The device of claim 15 , wherein the at least one flexible plate has a Wing Stiffness of about 0.5 g f to about 2 g f .

17. A packaged intravaginal device comprising:

a. a fluid storage element having a longitudinal axis and an outer surface; and

b. a fluid transport element in fluid communication with the fluid storage element, the fluid transport element comprising at least one flexible plate that:

i. is arranged and configured to extend radially outward from the fluid storage element; and

ii. is arranged and configured to bend about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fluid storage element; and

iii. has a Wing Stiffness of about 0.4 g f to about 10 g f ;

iv. is arranged and configured to direct fluid to an associated interface with the fluid storage element; and

v. has a width perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fluid storage element; and

c. a packaging element that substantially encloses the intravaginal device with at least a portion of a major surface of the flexible plate in contact with at least a portion of the outer surface of the fluid storage element,

wherein the at least one fluid transport element comprises a second plate coupled to the first plate, the second plate being arranged and configured to separate from the first plate sufficiently to provide inter-plate capillary action throughout the entire width of the first plate, the second plate comprising a first surface disposed and maintained in facing relationship with the inwardly oriented surface of the first plate and an opposite surface.

18. The packaged intravaginal device of claim 17 , wherein the at least one flexible plate has a Wing Stiffness of about 0.4 g f to about 4 g f .

19. The packaged intravaginal device of claim 18 , wherein the at least one flexible plate has a Wing Stiffness of about 0.5 g f to about 3 g f .

20. The packaged intravaginal device of claim 19 , wherein the at least one flexible plate has a Wing Stiffness of about 0.5 g f to about 2 g f .

21. An intravaginal device comprising:

a. at least one fluid transport element comprising:

i. a first plate having an outwardly oriented surface and an inwardly oriented surface;

ii. a second plate coupled to the first plate;

1) that has a first surface disposed and maintained in facing relationship with the inwardly oriented surface of the first plate and an opposite surface; and

2) that is arranged and configured to separate from the first plate sufficiently to provide inter-plate capillary action; and

b. a fluid storage element having a longitudinal axis, the fluid storage element being in fluid communication with the at least one fluid transport element

wherein the at least one fluid transport element is arranged and configured to bend about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fluid storage element, the at least one fluid transport element has a Wing Stiffness of about 0.4 g f to-about 10 g f , and the at least one fluid transport element is arranged and configured to direct fluid to an associated interface with the fluid storage element.

22. The device of claim 21 , wherein the at least one fluid transport element has a Wing Stiffness of about 0.4 g f to about 4 g f .

23. The device of claim 22 , wherein the at least one fluid transport element has a Wing Stiffness of about 0.5 g f to about 3 g f .

24. The device of claim 23 , wherein the at least one fluid transport element has a Wing Stiffness of about 0.5 g f to about 2 g f .

Assignments (6)