Intra-vaginal devices and methods for treating fecal incontinence

1. A method of selectively occluding a rectum to inhibit stool passage in a female user, the method comprising:

inserting an intravaginal device into the user's vagina, the device comprising an occluding portion;

engaging vaginal anatomy to stably support the occluding portion proximal to the vagina's perineal body;

extending the occluding portion against a recto-vaginal septum of the vagina proximal to the vagina's perineal body during the engaging step to at least partially occlude the user's rectum, the extending step comprising extending the occluding portion during the engaging step from a first state in which the intravaginal device has a first height to a second state in which the intravaginal device has a second height to at least partially occlude the user's rectum; and

retracting the occluding portion during the engaging step to permit stool to pass through the rectum; the retracting step comprising retracting the occluding portion from the second state to the first state during the engaging step to permit stool to pass through the rectum, the ratio of the first height to the second height being less than about 0.5.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the engaging step comprises engaging internal vaginal anatomy to stably support the occluding portion against a recto-vaginal septum of the vagina proximal to the perineal body.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the engaging step comprises engaging internal vaginal anatomy proximal to the inferior pubic ramus to stably support the occluding portion against a recto-vaginal septum of the vagina.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the engaging step comprises engaging a distal portion of the intravaginal device on an anterior side of the vagina adjacent the pubic symphysis to stably support the occluding portion against a recto-vaginal septum of the vagina.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the extending step comprises inflating the occluding portion to a pressure of 40-150 mm Hg.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the extending step comprises applying a pressure of 40-150 mm Hg to the recto-vaginal septum.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the extending step comprises inflating the occluding portion with 10-60 cc of fluid.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the engaging step comprises engaging internal vaginal anatomy to stably support the occluding portion proximal to the vagina's perineal body while maintaining slack in the vagina wall.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the engaging step comprises distending lateral walls of the vagina proximate to the occluding portion less than in areas not proximate to the occluding portion.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the extending step comprises actuating the occluding portion from outside the vagina and limiting force applied to the recto-vaginal septum by the occluding portion.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the retracting step comprises actively retracting the occluding portion.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the extending step comprises inflating the occluding portion and the retracting step comprises actively removing fluid from the occluding portion.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the intravaginal device further comprises a stabilizing portion having a cushioning member that is more flexible than another part of the stabilizing portion, the engaging step comprising engaging vaginal tissue with the cushioning member.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the extending step comprises extending a 20-60 mm wide surface of the occluding portion against the recto-vaginal septum.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the engaging step comprises distributing device support forces evenly on an anterior wall of the user's vagina.

16. The method of claim 1 further comprising maintaining engagement with the vaginal anatomy to stably support the occluding portion proximal to the vagina's perineal body during the retracting step and, after the retracting step, extending the occluding portion against a recto-vaginal septum of the vagina proximal to the vagina's perineal body to at least partially occlude the user's rectum.