Adhesive-Retained Female Condom Sheath for Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional female condoms are prone to movement and noise during sexual intercourse, which can be distracting, and the external ring may be pushed aside, allowing penetration outside the sheath, leading to reduced effectiveness in preventing sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancy.
Innovation Solution
A prophylactic device with a flexible sheath and an annular retainer portion featuring an adhesive surface to secure the device in place, along with surface textures and lubricants to reduce movement and enhance friction, ensuring the sheath remains inside the vagina and providing a more secure barrier.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional female condom with an external ring is used, then the device can be inserted and held in place, but the ring may be pushed aside during intercourse allowing penetration outside the sheath
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the external ring structure from the female condom design and replaces it with an adhesive-retained system. The adhesive layer applied to the external surface of the sheath eliminates the need for a rigid retaining ring, allowing the sheath to remain securely in place through adhesion rather than mechanical retention, thereby preventing penetration outside the sheath while maintaining comfort and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical ring-based retention system with an adhesive-based retention system. Instead of relying on the mechanical structure of an external ring to hold the sheath in place, the invention uses adhesive properties of a polymer-based adhesive layer to secure the sheath to the vaginal wall, eliminating the problems associated with rigid mechanical retention while maintaining device stability.
2Reliability
If a conventional female condom is used, then barrier protection is provided, but movement and rustling noises occur during intercourse
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the external ring structure that causes movement and rustling noises during intercourse. By eliminating this rigid mechanical component and replacing it with a flexible adhesive-retained sheath, the invention reduces unnecessary movement and noise generation while maintaining the barrier protection function.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive layer acts as an intermediary between the sheath and the vaginal wall, securing the sheath in place and reducing relative movement during intercourse. This adhesive mediation minimizes the rustling noises and distracting movements associated with conventional ring-based female condoms while preserving the protective barrier function.
3Ease of operation
If the sheath has a smooth surface, then comfort is improved, but friction with the vaginal wall is reduced allowing movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different surface qualities to different regions of the sheath. The internal surface maintains a smooth texture for comfort, while the external surface incorporates an adhesive layer providing localized high-friction attachment to the vaginal wall. This regional differentiation of surface properties simultaneously achieves comfort and positional stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the friction parameter of the sheath's external surface by applying an adhesive layer with high friction properties. This parameter change in surface friction coefficient allows the sheath to maintain its position against the vaginal wall through increased adhesive friction, preventing movement while the internal smooth surface maintains comfort.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device provides a more secure and reliable barrier against sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancy, reduces noise and movement, and enhances user comfort and pleasure by maintaining the sheath's position within the vagina, making it less noticeable and more effective.
Implementation Method 1
The adhesive surface on the annular retainer portion is distal-facing (toward the sheath and the body, and is capable of adhering to the skin around the opening of the vagina
Implementation Method 2
The exterior surface of the sheath may have a surface texture that increases the sheath's surface area, which may increase friction between the sheath and the vaginal wall, thereby reducing movement between them
Implementation Method 3
The sheath may or may not have lubricants provided on its interior and exterior surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
Prophylactic devices that have a flexible sheath, and an annular retainer portion with an adhesive surface to adhere to the skin and keep the device in place. The sheath is closed at the distal end and has an opening at a proximal end. The retainer portion is connected to the sheath at the proximal end, and surrounds the opening of the sheath. The adhesive surface may be formed by an adhesive substance or other means and may seal all or part of the retainer portion against the skin. The retainer portion may conform to the skin and/or have molded features. One embodiment includes backing and cover layers which adhere to the device to form a protective pouch or package which contains the sheath and lubricants on the sheath.