INTRAVAGINAL CATAMENIAL DEVICE FOR BLOOD LEAKAGE PREVENTION

摘要

A catamenial device for blood leakage prevention (1) composed of an impermeable balloon or inflatable member (2) housing a resiliently expandable inflation member (4) generally made of open cell foam. The balloon (2) has an opening (10) for airflow communication between the interior of the balloon (2) and the outside environment. During insertion into a vaginal canal, the inflammation member (4) is inserted in a contracted state. Upon placement to proper vaginal location, the inflation member (4) expands by resiliency drawing air from the outside environment in to the balloon (2) via the opening (10) in the balloon (2). Once in the vaginal canal the balloon inflated (2) is capable of providing sealable closure of the vaginal canal for the prevention of exit of menstrual blood from the vaginal orifice. The balloon (2) housing the inflation member (4) can be combined with an absorbent member (6) or can be a stand-alone device. Inflation of the inflatable member (2) can be activated manually by the user or via an intravaginal applicator which has the dual function of inserting and delivering the device into the vaginal and that of actuating the inflation of the inflatable member (2).