Uterine support with removal function
By designing finger pulling pieces on the pessary, users can easily remove the pessary, solving the problem that existing pessary is difficult to remove by themselves, and improving the convenience and comfort of use.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202380071570.7
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-10-06
- Filing Date
- 2023-10-06
- Publication Date
- 2025-06-13
AI Technical Summary
Existing pessary, especially annular pessary with support membranes and Gellhorn pessary, is difficult to remove on its own, and it is difficult for clinicians and even patients to remove it easily.
A pessary with a finger pulling member is designed, which includes a ring extending from the outer surface of the body and an anchoring portion connected or integrated with the outer surface during use. The user can insert his finger into the ring to apply tension, and the concentrated force point deforms the pessary body and releases suction force for easy removal.
Through the design of finger pulling parts, users can easily remove pessary, reducing their dependence on clinicians and improving patient autonomy and comfort.
Smart Images
Figure CN120152686A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a pessary having a removal function that facilitates removal of the pessary by a user. More specifically, the present invention relates to a pessary including a finger pull. Background Art
[0002] Pessaries are implantable devices that have been used for decades to treat pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence. Pessaries are mainly divided into two types: supportive pessaries and space-occupying pessaries. Supportive pessaries act by supporting the prolapse, and space-occupying pessaries act by filling the vaginal space. There are also lever pessaries. For example, pessaries can include at least the following types: annular, annular with support, bracket type, Shaatz type, Gellhorn type, Risser type, Smith type, cubic type, bicubic type, cup type, oval type, Hodge type, Hodge type with knob, Hodge type with support, Gehrung type, incontinence tray type with support, doughnut type, incontinence ring type, incontinence tray type, balloon-filled type, and inflated doughnut type.
[0003] The most common types of pessaries are the annular pessary (in two types, with and without support) and the Gellhorn pessary (in two types, with short rod and long rod). It is worth noting that the annular pessary is usually used for mild prolapse, while the Gellhorn pessary is used for moderate to severe prolapse.
[0004] The simplest form of the annular pessary is a circular ring made of an inert material (such as PVC or latex or silicone). However, the annular pessary usually includes a support membrane extending between the inner edges of the ring. The support membrane usually includes a material mesh extending within the ring boundary and has drainage holes on the support membrane. The annular pessary can usually be easily folded in half for insertion and can be removed by the user hooking a finger under or over the edge of the annular pessary, tilting the annular pessary slightly, and gently pulling it out of the vagina. However, for a ring with a support membrane, this removal method is not feasible.
[0005] The Gellhorn pessary has a circular base, usually made of silicone, with a thickness of about 3 mm - 5 mm. The base is slightly concave because this shape helps to generate suction and hold the Gellhorn pessary in place. Similar to the annular pessary with support, the Gellhorn pessary has drainage holes on the base. The unique feature of the Gellhorn pessary is that it includes a central rod located on the base of the Gellhorn pessary, and the rod includes a spherical knob at its distal end.
[0006] The Gellhorn pessary is a widely used pessary. To insert the Gellhorn pessary, the flexible rod needs to be bent or compressed to the base, and then the base is aligned with the vaginal orifice and inserted. Since the concave circular base of the pessary creates suction, it is usually difficult to remove the Gellhorn pessary. Clinicians usually need to use a device such as a sponge forceps to clamp the rod, move the fingers upward and around the base to release the suction, and then move the base downward to remove the pessary. Therefore, the current structure of the Gellhorn pessary makes it difficult for clinicians to remove, and it is generally considered a pessary that patients cannot remove by themselves.
[0007] Another widely used space-filling pessary is the cube pessary. This type of pessary includes a cube body, usually including drainage holes, and a cord for grasping to remove the pessary. The cord is usually connected to the cube body with an anchor. The cord can also be looped with two anchors and the two ends of the loop are fixed to the cube body through the drainage holes. However, the disadvantage of this cord and anchoring system is that it may break, leaving substances in the user's body after removing the cube pessary, making it difficult for the user to remove the pessary. In addition, pulling the cord without deforming the wall of the cube pessary (thus breaking the suction) may cause the pessary to pull down the prolapsed object when removed.
[0008] Generally speaking, these types of pessaries have been used in their current form for decades. More specifically, space-filling pessaries such as the cube pessary and the Gellhorn pessary, when used in their current form, rarely consider the convenience of removal by the user.
[0009] The subject matter claimed in this application is not limited to embodiments that solve any disadvantages or operate only in the above environments. Instead, this background information is only used to illustrate the exemplary technical fields to which some embodiments can be applied.
[0010] Aspects and embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Summary of the Invention
[0011] As described above, the present invention relates to a pessary with a removal function that facilitates the removal of the pessary from the user. More specifically, the present invention relates to a pessary with a finger pull.
[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pessary device, comprising:
[0013] a body; and
[0014] a finger pull provided on the body and extending from the body, and adapted to receive at least one finger of the user to facilitate the removal of the pessary,
[0015] Wherein, the finger puller includes a loop that extends from the outer surface of the main body during use, and opposite anchoring portions that are connected or integral with the outer surface.
[0016] The main body of the pessary device is not particularly limited and can have any suitable shape. For example, the main body can include a pessary main body selected from the group consisting of annular, supported annular, bracket type, Shaatz type, Gehrhorn type, Risser type, Smith type, cubic type, bicubic type, cup type, oval type, Hodge type, Hodge type with knob, supported Hodge type, Gehrung type, disc type, supported disc type, and doughnut type.
[0017] In one embodiment, the anchoring portion preferably includes two ends of a loop that is connected or integrally formed with the outer surface, and the distance between the two ends of the loop is less than the diameter of the loop. Preferably, the distance between the two ends is approximately half of the diameter of the loop. The contact point of the finger puller with the pessary needs to be relatively narrow. This ensures that the force applied to the main body of the pessary device is generally concentrated in an area or point on the pessary device. This allows the user to apply a smaller force to cause deformation of the pessary device for easy removal. The anchoring portion is more preferably provided at or towards the edge of the outer surface. This further minimizes the force required to break the suction between the main body of the pessary device and the vaginal wall.
[0018] The anchoring portion of the pessary device can also include a support mesh that extends between the two ends. The support mesh preferably includes a generally triangular or V-shaped mesh that extends between the two ends. This support mesh advantageously minimizes the deformation of the finger puller and transfers the applied force to the main body of the pessary device.
[0019] The contact point between the loop and the main body of the pessary device can be thickened and / or reinforced to prevent and avoid breakage of the material of the loop. In addition, the thickness of the loop can be predetermined to minimize the stretching of the loop, thereby minimizing the force required to remove the pessary device.
[0020] Preferably, the loop is arranged at an angle towards the center of the pessary device. This advantageously ensures that the loop does not cause discomfort to the patient. The angle can vary depending on the type and size of the pessary and the molding form.
[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the anchoring portion is connected to the outer surface of the main body of the pessary device by adhering to the outer surface or being anchored below the outer surface. In a specific embodiment, the anchoring portion of the finger puller further includes an anchor that extends from or is provided on the anchoring portion and is anchored below the outer surface of the main body of the pessary device. For example, the anchor can include an enlarged spherical portion, a T-shaped portion, or a disc. It can also include barbs provided on the anchoring portion.
[0022] To enhance the strength of the finger pull, particularly the strength of the loop, the finger pull is preferably formed from a material having a higher Shore hardness than the body of the pessary device. The Shore hardness of the body is preferably 25 - 35, more preferably about 30, while the Shore hardness of the finger pull (particularly the loop) is preferably about 60 - 70, more preferably about 70.
[0023] To facilitate identification of the loop for removal of the pessary device, the loop is preferably made of a material of a different color from the body of the pessary device.
[0024] It is contemplated that a loop or "pull - ring" type finger pull would be particularly suitable for space - occupying pessaries. Thus, the body preferably comprises a pessary body selected from the group consisting of Shaatz type, Gellhorn type, cube, tandem cube, or torus, and application of a pulling force by the user on the loop causes the body to deform, thereby releasing the suction between the outer edges of the pessary body and the vaginal cavity surface in contact therewith during use.
[0025] By convention, the body and the finger pull are preferably made of silicone. In some embodiments, the entire finger pull is formed together with the pessary body as part of the pessary molding process. That is, the pessary device can be a single piece of material, typically a silicone material. However, as described above, the anchoring portion is preferably formed from a material harder than the body of the pessary device and is anchored to the body of the pessary device.
[0026] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a pessary device, comprising:
[0027] providing a finger pull including a loop and an opposing anchoring portion; and
[0028] forming a pessary body around the anchoring portion so as to secure the finger pull to the pessary body.
[0029] The formation of the pessary body preferably includes molding the pessary body around the anchoring portion. Preferably, during the molding process, the anchoring portion is arranged and held at a predetermined angle relative to the pessary body.
[0030] As in the previous aspect of the invention, the pessary body can be selected from the group consisting of annular, supported annular, bracket - type, Shaatz type, Gellhorn type, Risser type, Smith type, cube type, double - cube type, cup type, oval, Hodge type, Hodge type with knob, supported Hodge type, Gehrung type, disc, supported disc, and doughnut - shaped pessary bodies.
[0031] The anchoring portion preferably includes two ends of the loop, the distance between the two ends of the loop being less than the diameter of the loop, preferably the distance between the two ends being approximately half of the loop diameter. The anchoring portion may further include a generally V-shaped support mesh extending between the two ends, the support mesh preferably including a generally triangular web extending between the two ends.
[0032] The anchoring portion is preferably provided at or towards the edge of the outer surface. The loop is preferably arranged at an angle towards the center of the pessary device.
[0033] The anchoring portion of the finger puller includes an anchor. The anchor may include an enlarged spherical portion, a T-shaped portion or a disc, or may include barbs located on the anchoring portion.
[0034] The finger puller is preferably formed from a material having a Shore hardness grade harder than the body of the pessary device. Preferably, the Shore hardness of the body is about 25 - 35, more preferably about 30, and the Shore hardness of the finger puller is about 60 - 70, more preferably about 70.
[0035] The loop is preferably made of a material of a different color from the body of the pessary device. The body and the finger puller are preferably made of silicone. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0036] To further clarify various aspects of some embodiments of the present invention, the present invention will be described in more detail by reference to specific embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these drawings only depict typical embodiments of the present invention and should not be considered as limiting its scope. The present invention will be described and explained in a more specific and detailed manner with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0037] Figure 1 A perspective view of a pessary device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown, including a Gellhorn pessary body.
[0038] Figure 2 Shown is Figure 1 a rear view of the pessary device, showing the finger puller in more detail.
[0039] Figure 3 Shown is Figure 1 and Figure 2 a perspective view of another pessary device different from that shown, including a cubic pessary body instead of a Gellhorn pessary body. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0040] Hereinafter, the present specification will describe the present invention according to preferred embodiments. It should be understood that limiting the description to the preferred embodiments of the present invention is only for the convenience of discussing the present invention and does not depart from the scope of protection of the appended claims.
[0041] SeeFigure 1 and Figure 2 shows a pessary device 10. The pessary device 10 includes a Gellhorn pessary body 11, which includes a base 12 provided with a plurality of drainage holes 13 and a stem 14 extending therefrom. The size of the Gellhorn pessary body 11 can vary according to the needs of the end user. The base 12 is adapted to contact the vaginal cavity wall, thereby establishing a seal with the vaginal cavity wall. As previously mentioned, this makes it usually impractical for the user of a traditional Gellhorn pessary device to remove it by themselves.
[0042] To address the difficulties associated with removing a traditional Gellhorn pessary, the pessary device 10 includes a finger pull 15 on its surface. This surface faces outside the vaginal cavity during use. The finger pull 15 includes a loop 16 and an anchoring portion, and the anchoring portion includes two ends 17, 18 that are connected to or integral with the base 12. The distance between the two ends 17, 18 of the loop 16 is relatively small. This ensures that the force applied by the user when pulling the loop 16 is concentrated at a specific location on the base 12. In addition, the two ends 17, 18 of the loop 16 are located at or towards the outer edge of the base 12. This further ensures that the force applied by the user is concentrated at a specific external location on the base 12. The distance between the two ends 17, 18 of the loop 16 and the positioning of the two ends 17, 18 at or towards the outer edge of the base 12, either individually or in combination, contribute to the deformation of the base 12 during removal to facilitate breaking the seal between the outer edge of the base 12 and the vaginal cavity wall.
[0043] As Figure 1 shown, the loop 16 is arranged at an angle to the base 12. Specifically, the loop 16 is directed downward towards the center of the base 12. The angle of the loop 16 acts in two ways. First, the user can place their finger in the loop 16 while applying pressure to the stem 14 of the Gellhorn pessary body 11, thereby increasing the deformation of the base 12 and facilitating the removal of the pessary device 10. In addition, since the loop 16 is inclined downward, it does not interfere with the inner wall of the vaginal cavity, thus ensuring greater comfort during the use of the pessary device 10.
[0044] The anchoring portion of the finger pull 15 is provided with a substantially V-shaped support mesh 19, which extends between the ends 17, 18 and is anchored to or integrally formed with the base 12 between the ends 17, 18. This provides support for the loop 16 and minimizes the deformation of the loop 16 caused when the user applies force during the removal of the pessary device 10. Similarly, this advantageously ensures maximum deformation of the base 12, making it easier to move the edge of the base 12 away from the vaginal cavity wall. This also reduces or eliminates the possibility of the ends 17, 18 of the loop 16 breaking.
[0045] See Figure 3, shows another pessary device 30. The pessary device 30 includes a cubic pessary body 31, replacing the Gellhorn pessary body 11 previously discussed with respect to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The cubic pessary body 31 functions in a similar manner to the Gellhorn pessary body 11, i.e., it serves as a space-filling device within the vaginal cavity. The cubic pessary body 31 includes a plurality of faces 32, each face including a concave surface. This is consistent with a traditional cubic pessary.
[0046] As with Figure 1 and Figure 2 the pessary device 10, the pessary device 30 includes a finger pull 35 connected to or integral with one face of the cubic pessary body 31, which face is intended to face outside the vaginal cavity in use. The finger pull 35 has the same form as described previously, including a loop 36 and an anchoring portion, the anchoring portion including two ends 37, 38 of the loop 36 and a generally V-shaped support mesh 39 therebetween. Again, the two ends 37, 38 of the loop 36 are located at or towards the edge of the outer surface of the cubic pessary body 31. The reason is the same as outlined above, including concentrating the force applied by the user and minimizing the deformation of the loop 36 when applying that force. Again, the aim is to facilitate the deformation of the cubic pessary body 31 to move it away from the vaginal cavity wall.
[0047] While it is believed that the above-described finger pulls 15, 35 can be applied to any form of pessary body, including but not limited to Shaatz type, Gellhorn type, Risser type, Smith type, cubic type, bi-cubic type, cup type, oval, Hodge type, Hodge type with knob, Hodge type with support, Gehrung type, disc, disc with support, and doughnut-shaped pessary bodies, it is believed that this form of finger pulls 15, 35 may be most suitable for space-filling pessaries. Thus, while only Gellhorn and cubic pessaries are shown, it is contemplated that this form of finger pulls 15, 35 will be equally applicable to at least Shaatz type, Gellhorn type, shelf type, cubic type, tandem cubic type, and doughnut-shaped pessary bodies.
[0048] In this specification, unless the context otherwise requires, the word "comprise" or variations thereof, such as "consist of" or "contain", shall be understood to imply the inclusion of the stated step or element or integer or group of steps or elements or integers, but not the exclusion of any other step or element or integer or group of steps, elements or integers. Thus, in the context of this specification, the word "comprise" is used in an inclusive sense and should therefore be understood as "mainly comprise, but not necessarily only comprise".
[0049] Unless the context otherwise requires or clearly states to the contrary, integers, steps, or elements of the invention described herein in the singular clearly encompass both the singular and plural forms of the recited integers, steps, or elements.
[0050] It should be understood that the foregoing description is given by way of illustrative example of the invention, and all such modifications and variations as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention described herein.
Claims
1. A pessary device, comprising: a body; and a finger puller, provided on the body and extending from the body, and adapted to receive at least one finger of a user to facilitate removal of the pessary device, wherein the finger puller includes a loop that extends from an outer surface of the body during use, and opposing anchoring portions that are connected or integrally formed with the outer surface.
2. The pessary device according to claim 1, wherein, the body includes a pessary body selected from the group consisting of annular, supported annular, bracket type, Shaatz type, Gehrhorn type, Risser type, Smith type, cubic type, bicubic type, cup type, oval type, Hodge type, Hodge type with knob, supported Hodge type, Gehrung type, disc type, supported disc type, and doughnut type.
3. The pessary device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, the anchoring portion includes two ends of the loop that are connected or integral with the outer surface, and the distance between the two ends of the loop is less than the diameter of the loop, preferably, wherein the distance between the two ends is approximately half of the diameter of the loop.
4. The pessary device according to claim 3, wherein, the anchoring portion may further include a substantially V-shaped support mesh extending between the two ends, and the support mesh preferably includes a substantially triangular support mesh extending between the two ends.
5. The pessary device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, the anchoring portion is located at or towards an edge of the outer surface.
6. The pessary device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, the loop is disposed at an angle towards the center of the pessary device.
7. The pessary device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the anchoring portion is connected to the outer surface of the body of the pessary device by being adhered to the outer surface or anchored beneath the outer surface.
8. The pessary device according to claim 7, wherein the anchoring portion of the finger puller further includes an anchor that is located beneath the outer surface of the body of the pessary device.
9. The pessary device according to claim 8, wherein the anchor includes an enlarged spherical portion, a T-shaped portion, or a disc, or includes barbs located on the anchoring portion.
10. The pessary device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the finger puller is formed of a material having a higher Shore hardness than the body of the pessary device, preferably, wherein the Shore hardness of the body is approximately 25 - 35, more preferably approximately 30, and the Shore hardness of the finger puller is approximately 60 - 70, more preferably approximately 70.
11. The pessary device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the loop is formed of a material of a different color from the body of the pessary device.
12. A pessary device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the body comprises a pessary body selected from the group consisting of a Shaatz type, a Gehrung type, a cube, a tandem cube, and a torus, and wherein in use, the user applies a pulling force to the loop to deform the body, thereby releasing the suction force between the outer edge of the body and the vaginal surface in contact therewith.
13. A pessary device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the body of the pessary device is a single piece of material, preferably formed of silicone.
14. A pessary device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the body and the finger loop are formed of silicone.
15. A method of manufacturing a pessary device, comprising: providing a finger loop including a loop and an opposing anchoring portion; and forming a pessary body around the anchoring portion, thereby fixing the finger loop to the pessary body.
16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the forming of the pessary body comprises molding the pessary body around the anchoring portion.
17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the anchoring portion is arranged and held at a predetermined angle relative to the pessary body during the molding process.
18. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the pessary body comprises a pessary body selected from the group consisting of an annular shape, a supported annular shape, a bracket type, a Shaatz type, a Gehrung type, a Risser type, a Smith type, a cubic shape, a double cubic shape, a cup shape, an oval shape, a Hodge type, a Hodge type with a knob, a supported Hodge type, a Gehrung type, a disc shape, a supported disc shape, and a doughnut shape.
19. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the anchoring portion comprises two ends of the loop, and the distance between the two ends of the loop is less than the diameter of the loop, preferably, wherein the distance between the two ends is approximately half of the diameter of the loop.
20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the anchoring portion further comprises a substantially V-shaped support mesh extending between the two ends, and the support mesh preferably comprises a substantially triangular mesh extending between the two ends.
21. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 20, wherein the anchoring portion is provided at or towards the edge of the outer surface.
22. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 21, wherein the loop is arranged at an angle towards the center of the pessary device.
23. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 22, wherein the anchoring portion of the finger loop comprises an anchor.
24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the anchor comprises an enlarged spherical portion, a T-shaped portion, or a disc, or comprises barbs located on the anchoring portion.
25. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 24, wherein the finger tab is formed of a material having a higher Shore hardness than the body of the pessary device, preferably, wherein the Shore hardness of the body is about 25 - 35, more preferably about 30, and the Shore hardness of the finger tab is about 60 - 70, more preferably about 70.
26. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 25, wherein the ring is formed of a material of a different color from the body of the pessary device.
27. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 26, wherein the body and the finger tab are formed of silicone.