Generally, a vaginal insert device used to treat urinary incontinence is disclosed. The vaginal insert device includes a support portion, a stabilizing portion, a removal device, and at least one fluid passageway extending though the support portion. The substantially cylindrical support portion has a distal end and a proximal end. In addition, the support portion has a plurality of foldable areas extending from the distal end to the proximal end. Desirably, the plurality of foldable areas helically curve as the plurality of foldable areas extend from the distal end to the proximal end. The largest outer circumference of the support portion has an insertion diameter when the plurality of foldable areas are compressed and foldable inward and an in-use diameter wherein the plurality of foldable areas are extended outward into a maximum in-use diameter position. Desirably, the in-use diameter is larger than the insertion diameter.

Generally, a vaginal insert device used to treat urinary incontinence is disclosed. The vaginal insert device includes a support portion, a stabilizing portion, a removal device, and at least one fluid passageway extending though the support portion. The substantially cylindrical support portion has a distal end and a proximal end. In addition, the support portion has a plurality of foldable areas extending from the distal end to the proximal end. Desirably, the plurality of foldable areas helically curve as the plurality of foldable areas extend from the distal end to the proximal end. The largest outer circumference of the support portion has an insertion diameter when the plurality of foldable areas are compressed and foldable inward and an in-use diameter wherein the plurality of foldable areas are extended outward into a maximum in-use diameter position. Desirably, the in-use diameter is larger than the insertion diameter.

A disposable device for absorbing urine and/or bodily fluids in the urethra having a cylindrical body about 4-8 mm in diameter by about 3-5 cm in length and having a top and bottom end. The body is made of absorbent material that expands upon contact with urine and bodily fluids and includes a string connected to the bottom end of the body for removing the device from the urethra. The device can be used to treat urinary incontinence and/or erectile dysfunction by inserting into the urethra and removing the device after it has been impregnated with fluid. The device can be included in a kit with a plunger for insertion.

An endurance athlete's tampon that eliminates a traditional string and is simpler to manufacture includes a sheet of absorbent material with a bottom edge at whose midpoint there is a downward extending tab, and wherein this tampon is formed by folding it about its lateral centerline that extends upward from the tab so that the sheet's proximal and distal edges are placed proximate one another. This folded sheet is then rolled such that its lateral centerline and tab are at the center of the rolled sheet and its proximal and distal edges are on the outer surface of the rolled sheet. This tab is configured to enable it to be used to remove the tampon after it has been placed in service.

An endurance athlete's tampon that eliminates a traditional string and is simpler to manufacture includes a sheet of absorbent material with a bottom edge at whose midpoint there is a downward extending tab, and wherein this tampon is formed by folding it about its lateral centerline that extends upward from the tab so that the sheet's proximal and distal edges are placed proximate one another. This folded sheet is then rolled such that its lateral centerline and tab are at the center of the rolled sheet and its proximal and distal edges are on the outer surface of the rolled sheet. This tab is configured to enable it to be used to remove the tampon after it has been placed in service.

An application device for positioning an absorptive matrix (AM) element within a body cavity includes a tube, the AM element, a release element and a deflector. The AM element is disposed inside the tube in a stored state before exiting the tube towards the distal end in a released state. The release element slides inside the tube along a longitudinal axis of the tube and pushes the AM element out of the tube towards the distal end of the tube as the release element slides farther into the tube. The deflector is disposed at the distal end of the tube and bends the AM element away from the longitudinal axis of the tube as the AM element is pushed out of the tube. The deflector is an extension of the wall of the tube that protrudes from the distal end and bends inward towards the longitudinal axis of the tube.

An application device for positioning an absorptive matrix (AM) element within a body cavity includes a tube, the AM element, a release element and a deflector. The AM element is disposed inside the tube in a stored state before exiting the tube towards the distal end in a released state. The release element slides inside the tube along a longitudinal axis of the tube and pushes the AM element out of the tube towards the distal end of the tube as the release element slides farther into the tube. The deflector is disposed at the distal end of the tube and bends the AM element away from the longitudinal axis of the tube as the AM element is pushed out of the tube. The deflector is an extension of the wall of the tube that protrudes from the distal end and bends inward towards the longitudinal axis of the tube.

A pad body integrally molded from a thermoplastic resin foam material with high compressibility includes a foam absorbent body, an outer film layer formed on an outer portion of the foam absorbent body, and a pull string connected to the outer film layer. A tampon is also disclosed, and includes a tubular sleeve unit and the pad body. The tubular sleeve unit includes an outer tube and a push rod. The foam absorbent body and the outer film layer constitute an absorption section of the pad body. The absorption section is constrained by the outer tube in a compressed state, and is transformed to an expanded state when pushed by the push rod to move out of the receiving hole via the exit opening.

A pad body integrally molded from a thermoplastic resin foam material with high compressibility includes a foam absorbent body, an outer film layer formed on an outer portion of the foam absorbent body, and a pull string connected to the outer film layer. A tampon is also disclosed, and includes a tubular sleeve unit and the pad body. The tubular sleeve unit includes an outer tube and a push rod. The foam absorbent body and the outer film layer constitute an absorption section of the pad body. The absorption section is constrained by the outer tube in a compressed state, and is transformed to an expanded state when pushed by the push rod to move out of the receiving hole via the exit opening.

A disposable device for treating a condition of a ureter or kidney having a cylindrical body about 1-2 mm in diameter by about 5 to 10 mm in length and having a top and bottom end. The body is made of absorbent material that expands upon contact with pharmaceutical agent and bodily fluids and includes a string connected to the bottom end of the body for removing the device. The device can be used to treat a condition of the ureter or kidney by inserting into the ureter or kidney, delivering a pharmaceutical agent, and removing the device after it has been impregnated with fluid. The device can be included in a kit with an insertion device and/or appropriate pharmaceutical agents.