A collapsible pessary is provided, and can have a stem and at least one rotating petal member that can rotate between a collapsed state with a smaller diameter and a deployed state with a larger diameter. The collapsible pessary can have a plunger within the stem, and pushing the plunger upwards can cause the plunger to push upwards on a portion of the petal member, thereby causing the petal member to rotate into a deployed position. The pessary can be in a collapsed state wherein its overall diameter is at a minimum, or a deployed state, wherein its overall diameter is at a maximum.

Geometrically complex intravaginal rings, systems and methods of making the same are provided herein. Disclosed herein are geometrically complex intravaginal rings with tunable and enhanced drug release, which in some embodiments can be fabricated by 3D printing technologies. The disclosed IVRs include a ring structure comprising a plurality of unit cells or macroscopic and/or microscopic architecture, which can be tuned to control the loading capacity of an active compound within the IVR, the diffusion of an active compound from the IVR, the surface area of the IVR, and/or the mechanical properties of the IVR. The disclosed geometrically complex IVRs can provide superior control over drug loading and drug release compared to conventional IVRs fabricated by injection molding or hot-melt extrusion.

Geometrically complex intravaginal rings, systems and methods of making the same are provided herein. Disclosed herein are geometrically complex intravaginal rings with tunable and enhanced drug release, which in some embodiments can be fabricated by 3D printing technologies. The disclosed IVRs include a ring structure comprising a plurality of unit cells or macroscopic and/or microscopic architecture, which can be tuned to control the loading capacity of an active compound within the IVR, the diffusion of an active compound from the IVR, the surface area of the IVR, and/or the mechanical properties of the IVR. The disclosed geometrically complex IVRs can provide superior control over drug loading and drug release compared to conventional IVRs fabricated by injection molding or hot-melt extrusion.

A device for retarding birth including an upper ring for surrounding a cervix, an anchoring component for anchoring the device, and an elastic component for attaching the upper ring to the anchoring component, wherein the elastic component pushes the upper ring and the anchoring component apart. A device for retarding birth including a sleeve for surrounding a cervix along a greater portion of a length of the cervix, a support strip on the sleeve directed along an axis of the sleeve, and a ring at least partially around the sleeve, in which when a top of the sleeve is pushed to expand radially, the support strip pivots on the ring, such that an end of the support strip near the top of the sleeve moves radially outward, and an end of the support strip near the bottom of the sleeve moves radially inward. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

A device for retarding birth including an upper ring for surrounding a cervix, an anchoring component for anchoring the device, and an elastic component for attaching the upper ring to the anchoring component, wherein the elastic component pushes the upper ring and the anchoring component apart. A device for retarding birth including a sleeve for surrounding a cervix along a greater portion of a length of the cervix, a support strip on the sleeve directed along an axis of the sleeve, and a ring at least partially around the sleeve, in which when a top of the sleeve is pushed to expand radially, the support strip pivots on the ring, such that an end of the support strip near the top of the sleeve moves radially outward, and an end of the support strip near the bottom of the sleeve moves radially inward. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Proposed are a method for producing a patient-customized pessary using a 3D printer and a patient-customized pessary produced thereby and, more specifically, a method for producing a patient-customized pessary using a 3D printer, for forming a pessary so as to correspond to the shape of a patient's vagina, and a patient-customized pessary produced thereby. The method for producing a patient-customized pessary using a 3D printer, comprises a) deriving the shape of a patient's vagina; b) 3D-modeling the shape of a pessary corresponding to the derived shape of the patient's vagina; and c) producing the pessary in the 3D-modeled shape by means of a 3D printer.

Proposed are a method for producing a patient-customized pessary using a 3D printer and a patient-customized pessary produced thereby and, more specifically, a method for producing a patient-customized pessary using a 3D printer, for forming a pessary so as to correspond to the shape of a patient's vagina, and a patient-customized pessary produced thereby. The method for producing a patient-customized pessary using a 3D printer, comprises a) deriving the shape of a patient's vagina; b) 3D-modeling the shape of a pessary corresponding to the derived shape of the patient's vagina; and c) producing the pessary in the 3D-modeled shape by means of a 3D printer.

A post-fabrication method for drug loading a medical device with an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). Such medical devices can include a polymer matrix, where the polymer matrix, after exposure to a loading solution with the API, can exhibit a degree of swelling of the polymer matrix and/or a degree of swelling in which the polymer matrix increases in a dimension along an axis. Medical devices including a polymer matrix and an API are provided, where the API is loaded into the polymer matrix by adsorption and/or swelling after fabrication of the polymer matrix, wherein the medical device provides a substantially sustained release of the API for an extended period of time. The medical devices include intravaginal rings (IVR). Methods of treating a subject using the disclosed medical devices are also provided, including treating a subject with an IVR with one or more APIs loaded therein.

A post-fabrication method for drug loading a medical device with an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). Such medical devices can include a polymer matrix, where the polymer matrix, after exposure to a loading solution with the API, can exhibit a degree of swelling of the polymer matrix and/or a degree of swelling in which the polymer matrix increases in a dimension along an axis. Medical devices including a polymer matrix and an API are provided, where the API is loaded into the polymer matrix by adsorption and/or swelling after fabrication of the polymer matrix, wherein the medical device provides a substantially sustained release of the API for an extended period of time. The medical devices include intravaginal rings (IVR). Methods of treating a subject using the disclosed medical devices are also provided, including treating a subject with an IVR with one or more APIs loaded therein.

A variety of medical and non-medical devices are exploited by users to address a wide range of conditions. However, in the vast majority of instances, the device has a limited number of options with respect to its fit for the user and its performance. Further, the determination of target performance and fit are established on a qualitative basis rather than a quantitative basis. In many instances, these combinations lead to low user acceptance of the device due to the resulting performance and fit issues. Accordingly, it would enhance performance and user acceptance if a quantitative determination provided a recommended type where options exist, and this determination provided the basis of a custom designed device to the user's specific anatomical and/or performance requirements.