A tampon assembly having a barrel, a plunger, and a pledget is provided. The plunger is slidably received in the barrel. The pledget is in the barrel between the insertion tip and the plunger so that a force applied on the plunger can expel the pledget from the barrel. The barrel has a plurality of petals defining an insertion tip, which has a first taper ratio of more than about 0.3 to less than 1.0. The pledget has a shaped tip that is disposed in the insertion tip.

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 medical device may include a conduit and a porous body coupled to a distal end of the conduit. The medical device may have a first loop extending proximally from a proximal end of the porous body. The medical device may have a second loop extending distally from a distal end of the porous body.

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.

The present disclosure is directed to a hygiene device including an applicator housing a tampon. The tampon can include a primary absorbent member having a leading end, a trailing end opposite the leading end, and an intermediate region. The primary absorbent member can include a first tampon color. The tampon can also include a secondary absorbent member which is mechanically tied to the primary absorbent member. The secondary absorbent member can include a second tampon color. The tampon can further include a withdrawal member disposed on at least one of the secondary absorbent member and the primary absorbent member. The withdrawal member can include a third tampon color. The applicator can include an insertion portion that includes an opaque region and a plunger operatively engaged with the insertion portion. The plunger can have a transparent region such that at least one of the secondary absorbent member and the withdrawal member is visually perceptible through the applicator.

Disclosed are reusable tampon applicators, methods of use, and methods of manufacture thereof. A reusable tampon applicator comprises a cylindrical body, and a pusher for pushing a tampon through the cylindrical body during tampon insertion. The cylindrical body comprises a base opening at a distal end for inserting the tampon into a straight barrel connected to a convex apex at a proximal end. The convex apex comprises a slit opening for the tampon to pass through during tampon insertion. The slit opening extends from the proximal end to the distal end to form a full slit on a first lateral side of the cylindrical body; it further extends from the proximal end towards the distal end to form a partial slit on a second lateral side. Such reusable tampon applicators provide a hygienic and eco-friendly alternative to disposable tampon applicators.

Disclosed are reusable tampon applicators, methods of use, and methods of manufacture thereof. A reusable tampon applicator comprises a cylindrical body, and a pusher for pushing a tampon through the cylindrical body during tampon insertion. The cylindrical body comprises a base opening at a distal end for inserting the tampon into a straight barrel connected to a convex apex at a proximal end. The convex apex comprises a slit opening for the tampon to pass through during tampon insertion. The slit opening extends from the proximal end to the distal end to form a full slit on a first lateral side of the cylindrical body; it further extends from the proximal end towards the distal end to form a partial slit on a second lateral side. Such reusable tampon applicators provide a hygienic and eco-friendly alternative to disposable tampon applicators.

A tampon product including an applicator with a hollow barrel portion and an ejection plunger within the barrel portion, is disclosed. One or both of the barrel portion and the ejection plunger may have a cylindrical form and be formed of a paper, and have a coating applied to the paper, wherein the coating is not predominately constituted by a material derived from petroleum. The coated paper barrel portion and/or ejection plunger may be manufactured to as to exhibit a static Relative Sliding Resistance Coefficient (CSR) no greater than 0.250 and/or a kinetic CSR no greater than 0.210, for purposes of smooth manufacturing. In combination or alternatively, the coated paper barrel portion and/or ejection plunger may be manufactured to as to exhibit a static Gripping Slip Resistance Coefficient (CGSR) no less than 0.190 and/or a kinetic CGSR no less than 0.170, for purposes of consumer satisfaction.

Medical devices for delivering a plug to a void within a patient. The medical device can include a fluid delivery device and a plug holder (e.g., a plug delivery device) coupled to a distal end of the fluid delivery device. The medical device may be configured such that the delivery of fluid from the fluid delivery device wets the plug, ejects the plug from the plug holder, and pushes the plug through a lumen of an elongate tube to a void within a patient.