A Round Tip Vaginal Insert System and Method For Absorbing Sexual Secretions is described herein. The present disclosure may be implemented as a system, comprising: an outer receptacle, wherein the outer receptacle further comprises a bulb shaped head and a cylindrical shaft; an absorbent element, wherein the absorbent element comprises a cord; and a loading cylinder. The present disclosure may be implement as a method, comprising inserting an absorbent element into a outer receptacle via a loading cylinder; inserting the outer receptacle into a body cavity; compressing the loading cylinder to insert the absorbent element into the body cavity; and removing the loading cylinder and outer receptacle from the body cavity. The present disclosure may be an apparatus comprising an outer receptacle, a loading cylinder, and a head of the loading cylinder fitting into the outer receptacle in an interlocking connection that allows the loading cylinder to slide vertically up and down the outer receptacle.

Systems, apparatus, and methods are described for delivering a therapeutic substance to the tympanic membrane of an ear of a subject, including a reservoir configured to contain the therapeutic substance and a delivery interface by which the therapeutic substance is delivered to the tympanic membrane.

A tampon comprising an absorbent pledget and a time-lapse indicator associated therewith is provided. The time-lapse indicator includes a sensory material surrounded by, embedded in, covered by, or coated with a release-retarding material that protects the sensory material and prevents its release, until after a predetermined period of time has elapsed. The time-lapse indicator is located on or in the tampon or tampon removal string, or, optionally, the tampon packaging. After the time-lapse indicator is activated and a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the sensory material is released and alerts the user that it is time to change the tampon.

A tampon has two pledgets or one pledget with an absorbent layer and a leak shield located therebetween. The pledgets or pledget with the absorbent layer and the leak shield are folded such that the leak shield covers a portion of the surface of at least one of the pledgets. Both pledgets or the one pledget with the absorbent layer have absorbencies that are each greater than an absorbency of the leak shield. In another embodiment of the tampon, the leak shield comprises a fluid impervious or fluid repellent material(s). In another embodiment of the tampon, the leak shield comprises of an absorbent or hydrophilic material. Yet in another embodiment, the leak shield comprises of multiple layers of materials that are hydrophilic, hydrophobic, or a combination thereof. A method of fabricating a tampon includes forming a pledget, combining a fluid-impervious polymer material with an absorbent material to define a polymer laminate, ramming the pledget and the laminate into an oven tube, and stitching the laminate to the pledget.

A tampon with an absorbent body of which at least a part of its volume is made from an absorbent material and having a middle part, a distal end and a proximal end, and which is connected to an extraction device. The volume of absorbent material in such a tampon is designed to absorb between 0.5 g and 4 g, preferably 3.5 g, of liquid.

A tampon has two pledgets or one pledget with an absorbent layer and a leak shield located therebetween. The pledgets or pledget with the absorbent layer and the leak shield are folded such that the leak shield covers a portion of the surface of at least one of the pledgets. Both pledgets or the one pledget with the absorbent layer have absorbencies that are each greater than an absorbency of the leak shield. In another embodiment of the tampon, the leak shield comprises a fluid impervious or fluid repellent material(s). In another embodiment of the tampon, the leak shield comprises of an absorbent or hydrophilic material. Yet in another embodiment, the leak shield comprises of multiple layers of materials that are hydrophilic, hydrophobic, or a combination thereof. A method of fabricating a tampon includes forming a pledget, combining a fluid-impervious polymer material with an absorbent material to define a polymer laminate, ramming the pledget and the laminate into an oven tube, and stitching the laminate to the pledget.

A sanitary device for insertion into a body cavity having a perforated casing in which a medicant is located within a distal portion of the casing and a semi-rigid absorbent material is located within a proximal portion of the casing. A plunger extends into the casing from the proximal portion and is movable to force the semi-rigid absorbent material into contact with the medicant which forces the medicant out of the distal portion of the casing. Unwanted body fluids can drain into the proximal portion and are absorbed by the semi-rigid absorbent material.

A second embodiment of the invention includes an applicator for inserting a body insert into the body cavity. The body insert includes a semi-rigid absorbent material surrounded by a thin sheet of a lubricating material such as Telfa. The body insert may also include a medicant in the form of a gel material.

A sanitary device for insertion into a body cavity having a perforated casing in which a medicant is located within a distal portion of the casing and a semi-rigid absorbent material is located within a proximal portion of the casing. A plunger extends into the casing from the proximal portion and is movable to force the semi-rigid absorbent material into contact with the medicant which forces the medicant out of the distal portion of the casing. Unwanted body fluids can drain into the proximal portion and are absorbed by the semi-rigid absorbent material. A second embodiment of the invention includes an applicator for inserting a body insert into the body cavity. The body insert includes a semi-rigid absorbent material surrounded by a thin sheet of a lubricating material such as Telfa. The body insert may also include a medicant.

Tampon packaging and disposal systems and methods are disclosed. The packaging has a flexible mitten and an optional attached tampon enclosure. The tampon enclosure can package a tampon and the flexible mitten wraps around the tampon enclosure. When unwrapped, the tampon enclosure is detachable from the mitten and the tampon can be used by a user. The mitten is used for removing the used tampon worn by the user and disposing of the used tampon after removal.

A system for delivery of molecular hydrogen (H.sub.2) into a bodily orifice of a subject, such as the vagina or anus/rectum, to provide therapeutic effect.