Tampon device

Abstract

A tampon device comprises an oscillation unit, a power unit, a control unit, a disposable cover, wherein the oscillation unit is connected to the power unit and the control unit and all are arranged within a body, and wherein the power unit comprises a power generating unit and a power storing unit, and wherein the control unit comprises a radio control unit.

Description

Title: Tampon deviceFIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a tampon device. In particular, the present application relates to a tampon device supporting menstrual pain relieve.BACKGROUND

[0002] Menstrual pain, or dysmenorrhea, affects a significant portion of the menstruating population, with many existing relief methods relying on pharmacological solutions that may not be suitable or effective for all users. There exists a need for a non pharmacological, sustainable, and user-friendly solution that can provide direct, localized pain relief. Devices in widely the same field of technology are known from documents US2012089056A1 , US2007260210A1 , W02008107902A2,W02013143010A1 , KR20130094148A and US2024050748A1 , US5782779A, US6183428B1.SUMMARY

[0003] It is the object of the present application to provide an improved tampon device designed for menstrual pain relief all while providing a comfortable use. Hence the tampon device utilizes energy-harvesting technology and / or precisely sensor-controlled oscillation mechanisms for non-pharmacological pain alleviation. The object is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Selected embodiments are comprised in the dependent claims. Each of which, alone or in any combination with the other dependent claims, can represent an embodiment of the present application.

[0004] According to an aspect of the present application a tampon device comprises an oscillation unit, a power unit, a control unit, a disposable cover, wherein the oscillation unit is connected to the power unit and the control unit and all are arranged within a (reusable) body, and wherein the power unit comprises a power generating unit and a power storing unit, and wherein the control unit comprises a radio control unit. Thepower-storing unit may comprise (also a combination of the following) hydrogel-based energy storage, Li-ion batteries, conventional batteries, capacitors, biofuel cells, or graphene supercapacitors. There may be a wireless charging unit to charge the powerstoring unit from a distance (e.g. induction charging). If the power generating unit does not provide sufficient energy to power the device, it is possible to charge the powerstoring unit wirelessly and thus provide sufficient energy to power the device. The disposable cover is preferably made from absorbent and biodegradable material. The disposable cover may be made of a biodegradable polymer. The radio control unit may use at least one of the following technologies, Bluetooth Low Energy, WiFi, Zigbee, LoRa. This may have the advantage that a simple yet efficient design for an easy to manufacture tampon device is achieved.

[0005] According to an aspect of the present application a tampon device further comprises a first sensor. This may have the advantage that the tampon device can have further functionalities.

[0006] According to an aspect of the present application a tampon device comprises an oscillation unit, a power unit, a control unit, a disposable cover, and a first sensor and wherein the oscillation unit, the power unit, the control unit and the first sensor are all connected and are all arranged within a body, and wherein the control unit comprises a radio control unit. This may have the advantage that a simple yet efficient design for an easy to manufacture tampon device is achieved.

[0007] According to an aspect of the present application the first sensor of a tampon device is one of a humidity sensor, temperature sensor, pressure sensor, expansion sensor, motion sensor, cramp-detecting sensor. This may have the advantage that the tampon device can have further functionalities.

[0008] According to an aspect of the present application, a tampon device further comprises a second sensor being one of a humidity sensor, temperature sensor, pressure sensor, expansion sensor, motion sensor, cramp-detecting sensor. The tampon device may further comprise a third sensor being one of a humidity sensor, temperature sensor, pressure sensor, expansion sensor, motion sensor, cramp-detectingsensor. This may have the advantage that the tampon device can have further functionalities.

[0009] According to an aspect of the present application the oscillation unit of a tampon device comprises a MEMS device. Also, piezoelectric actuators or miniaturized electromagnetic oscillation systems can be used. This may have the advantage that an oscillation unit of small size can be achieved.

[0010] According to an aspect of the present application the power generating unit of a tampon device comprises piezoelectric nanofibers and / or triboelectric nanogenerators (optionally integrated into a biocompatible mesh). Also, it is possible to (additionally) use the thermoelectrical effect e.g. with a thermocouple in the power generating unit. This may have the advantage that the device can efficiently generate power from natural body movements and temperature changes, reducing the need for external power sources and enhancing the sustainability and convenience of the tampon device.

[0011] According to an aspect of the present application the power storing unit of a tampon device comprises a capacitor. Said capacitor may be a micro-supercapacitor. Said micro-supercapacitor may provide a voltage range between 1 .5 and 3.7 volts. The power storing unit may alternatively or additionally comprise a hydrogel-based energy storage or biofuel cells as well as graphen supercaps. This may have the advantage that energy in a needed volt range not harmful to the human body can be stored without using chemical batteries.

[0012] According to an aspect of the present application a saturation level of the disposable cover of a tampon device is monitored using a humidity sensor. This may have the advantage that the use of the tampon device is rendered more comfortable.

[0013] According to an aspect of the present application the disposable cover of a tampon device is made from a biodegradable material. This may have the advantage that the use of the tampon device is rendered more environmentally friendly.

[0014] According to an aspect of the present application a mobile application of a tampon device is connected via the radio control unit and allows for the customization of oscillation settings, including frequency and intensity, and provides information on the power storing unit and a saturation level of the disposable cover. The mobile application could also log usage time or remind to change tampons. It could also collect feedback on the effectiveness of pain reduction based on user input and suggest personalized settings. This may have the advantage that user-comfort is increased.

[0015] According to an aspect of the present application the power generating unit of a tampon device generates electricity from body movements and / or temperature differentials using piezoelectric and / or triboelectric nanogenerators. This may have the advantage that no external power supply needs to be provided.

[0016] According to an aspect of the present application a control method for a tampon device comprises the controlling of an oscillation unit and / or radio control unit based on data obtained from at least a first sensor. This may have the advantage that the tampon device may be controlled more precisely.

[0017] According to an aspect of the present application with a control method the data comprises at least one of temperature data, humidity data, pressure data, elongation or contraction data. This may have the advantage that the tampon device may be controlled even more precisely.

[0018] Each of the above aspects is to be considered an invention on its own. The aspects may be freely combined with each other, and each feature not described as being dependent on another feature may also be freely combined with each other. Aspects / features of the method may be included into the device and vice versa.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0019] Further advantages and features of the present disclosure will be apparent from the appended figure. The figure is of merely informing purpose and not of limiting character. The figure schematically describes an embodiment of the presentapplication. Hence, the appended figures cannot be considered limiting for e.g. the dimensions of the present disclosure.

[0020] Fig. 1 depicts a schematic view of an embodiment of the present application.

[0021] Fig. 2 depicts a schematic view of another embodiment of the present application.

[0022] Fig. 3 depicts a schematic view of another embodiment of the present application.

[0023] Fig. 4 is a flow diagram of a control method according to the present application.

[0024] It is to be noted that in the different embodiments described herein same parts / elements are numbered with same reference signs, however, the disclosure in the detailed description may be applied to all parts / elements having the regarding reference signs. Also, the directional terms I position indicating terms chosen in this description like up, upper, down, lower downwards, lateral, sideward are referring to the directly described figure and may correspondingly be applied to the new position after a change in position or another depicted position in another figure. All figures are not to scale and no indication of proportions should be taken. Also is the depicted placement of the units within the tampon device for explanation purposes only. Ordinary numbers like "first" and "second" are only for differentiating purposes.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Initially referring to fig. 1 a schematic view of a tampon device 10 is depicted. The tampon device 10 comprises an oscillation unit 20, a power unit 30, a control unit 40, all of which are arranged within a body 11. The tampon device 10 further comprises a disposable cover 50. The oscillation unit 20 is connected to the power unit 30 and the control unit 40. The power unit 30 comprises a power generating unit 51 and a power storing unit 52, and the control unit 40 comprises a radio control unit 41. The disposable cover 50 at least partially surrounds the body 11. In all embodiments thedisposable cover 50 is preferably made from a biodegradable material. The oscillation unit 20 may comprise a MEMS-device in all embodiments.

[0026] The radio control unit 41 can be connected to a handheld and portable device like a smart phone or a tablet (not shown) via a wireless connection that may be at least one of following technologies, Bluetooth Low Energy, WiFi, NFC (applicable for all embodiments).Via the portable device and the radio control unit 41 it is possible to control the intensity of the oscillation generated by the oscillation unit 20 and to control and / or check the status of the power unit 30.

[0027] The power generating unit 51 harvests bio energy and converts it into electrical energy by means of at least one of piezoelectric nanofibers, triboelectric nanogenerators (optionally integrated into a bio-compatible mesh), the thermoelectrical effect e.g. with a thermocouple (applies to all embodiments). The power generating unit uses e.g. the convulsions during the menstruation, the human motion (walking, jogging, heartbeat) to convert this bio mechanic energy into electrical energy. Also, it can use temperature differences to convert them into electrical energy. Consequently, the tampon device 10 may be independent from inconvenient external power supplies (e.g. with cords) or batteries (applicable to all embodiments). However, there can be battery supported embodiments.

[0028] The electrical power generated by the power generating unit 51 can be stored in the power storing unit 52. The power storing unit 52 of all embodiments can comprise a capacitor. Said capacitor might be a micro-supercapacitor. The power storing unit 52 of all embodiments alternatively or additionally can comprise hydrogel-based energy storage, Li-ion batteries, conventional batteries, biofuel cells, or graphene supercapacitors. The power storing unit 52 of all embodiments may be wirelessly charged. The optional wirelessly charged power storing unit 52 may support the power generating unit 51 in powering the tampon device 10. In all embodiments, all electric loads of the tampon device 10 are supplied with energy from the power unit 30.

[0029] Fig. 2 depicts a schematic view of another embodiment of the present application, similar to the embodiment of fig. 1. Here, the tampon device 10 comprises an oscillation unit 20, a power unit 30, a control unit 40, all of which are arranged within a body 11. The tampon device 10 further comprises a disposable cover 50. Theoscillation unit 20 is connected to the power unit 30 and the control unit 40. The control unit 40 comprises a radio control unit 41. The tampon device 10 further comprises a first sensor 61 being connected to the power unit 30 and control unit 40. The first sensor 61 may be one of a humidity sensor, temperature sensor, pressure sensor, expansion sensor. The first sensor 61 may be arranged anywhere within the body 11 . It might be part of a wall of the body 11 .

[0030] The first sensor 61 (and every other sensor in all embodiments) may be one of a humidity sensor, temperature sensor, pressure sensor, expansion sensor, motion sensor, cramp-detecting sensor. The first sensor 61 may be either a humidity sensor or a temperature sensor. The control unit 40 controls the oscillation unit 20 based on data provided by the first sensor 61 . The first sensor can detect convulsions using a pressure sensor and / or an expansion sensor (measuring elongations and contractions). The humidity sensor, for example, can detect a saturation of the disposable cover 50 and e.g. issue a notification for a change via the radio control unit 41 to the handheld device (see above). Also, the oscillations produced by the oscillation unit 20 may be controlled based on data gathered from the first (and any other) sensor 61 , for example, based on the frequence and / or intensity of convulsions or cramps, threshold readings, abnormal readings, low-energy levels or sensor failings (the aforementioned is applicable to all embodiments).

[0031] Fig. 3 depicts a schematic view of another embodiment of the present application, similar to the embodiments of figs. 1 and 2. Here, the tampon device 10 comprises an oscillation unit 20, a power unit 30, a control unit 40, a first sensor 61 , a second sensor 62 and an optional third sensor 63, all of which are arranged within a body 11 . The tampon device 10 further comprises a disposable cover 50. The oscillation unit 20 is connected to the power unit 30 and the control unit 40. The power unit 30 comprises a power generating unit 51 and a power storing unit 52, and the control unit 40 comprises a radio control unit 41 . All sensors are connected to the control unit 40.

[0032] The first sensor 61 may be a humidity sensor and the second sensor 62 may be a temperature sensor. The third sensor 63 may be one of a pressure sensor or an expansion sensor. It is possible to have a fourth sensor that would be the other from the pressure sensor or the expansion sensor.

[0033] Fig. 4 discloses a flow diagram of a control method for a tampon device. In a step 10 data regarding body conditions within a vagina among at least one of humidity, temperature, pressure, contraction or elongation are gathered, for example by at least one sensor.

[0034] In step 20 the gathered data of step 10 is used to control an oscillation unit 20 of a tampon device 10.

[0035] In all figures like reference signs are used for like or similar parts / elements as in the other figures. Thus, a detailed explanation of such part / element will only be given once for the sake of brevity. Reference numbers like first and second are meant for distinguishing purposes only, as the order may be changed voluntarily.

[0036] The embodiments depict possible variations of carrying out the subject matter of the application, however, it is to be noted that the subject matter of the application is not limited to the depicted embodiments / variations but numerous combinations of the here described embodiments / variations are possible and these combinations lie in the field of the skills of the person skilled in the art being motivated by this description.

[0037] The scope of protection is determined by the appended claims. The description and drawings, however, are to be considered when interpreting the claims. Single features or feature combinations of the described and / or depicted features may represent independent inventive solutions. The object of the independent solutions may be found in the description. IList of reference signs10 tampon device11 body20 oscillation unit30 power unit40 control unit41 radio control unit50 disposable cover51 power generating unit52 power storing unit61 first sensor62 second sensor63 third sensor

Claims

C L A I M S1. Tampon device (10) comprising a body (11 ), an oscillation unit (20), a power unit (30), a control unit (40), a disposable cover (50), wherein the oscillation unit is connected to the power unit and the control unit, and wherein the power unit comprises a power generating unit (51 ) and a power storing unit (52), and wherein the control unit comprises a radio control unit (41 ).

2. Tampon device (10) according to claim 1 , further comprising a first sensor (61 ).

3. Tampon device (10) comprising a body (11 ), an oscillation unit (20), a power unit (30), a control unit (40), a disposable cover (50), and a first sensor (61 ) and wherein the oscillation unit, the power unit, the control unit and the first sensor are all connected, and wherein the control unit comprises a radio control unit (41 ).

4. Tampon device (10) according to claim 2 or 3, where in the first sensor (61 ) is one of a humidity sensor, temperature sensor, pressure sensor, expansion sensor.

5. Tampon device (10) according to claim 4, further comprising second sensor (62) being one of a humidity sensor, temperature sensor, pressure sensor, expansion sensor.

6. Tampon device (10) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the oscillation unit (20) comprises a MEMS device.

7. Tampon device (10) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the power generating unit (51 ) comprises at least one of piezoelectric nanofibers, triboelectric nanogenerators, thermocouple.

8. Tampon device (10) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the power storing unit (52) comprises a micro-supercapacitor, providing a voltage range between 1 .5 and 3.7 volts.

9. Tampon device (10) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the disposable cover (50) is made from a biodegradable material.

10. Tampon device (10) according to any of the previous claims, wherein a mobile application (70) connected via the radio control unit (41 ), allows for the customization of oscillation settings, including frequency and intensity, and provides information on the power storing unit (52) and a saturation level of the disposable cover (50).11 . Tampon device (10) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the power generating unit (51 ) generates electricity from body movements and / or temperature differentials using piezoelectric and / or triboelectric nanogenerators.

12. Control method for a tampon device (10), wherein an oscillation unit (20) and / or radio control unit (41 ) is controlled based on data obtained from at least a first sensor (61 ).

13. Control method according to claim 14, wherein the data comprise at least one of temperature data, humidity data, pressure data, elongation or contraction data.

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