An apparatus for compressing a material such as a tampon or a pessary device, and a method of compressing a material such as a tampon or a pessary device are described. The apparatus can have a press unit support structure rotatable about a fixed axis. An axial direction press unit is associated with the press unit support structure. Second press unit is associated with the press unit support structure wherein the second press unit is one of a non-linear direction press unit or a press unit having a compression surface area which decreases with the movement of compression.

Tampons including an elongate body and a removal string extending from a removal end of the elongate body. The tampons may include an absorbent material and a spiral flow path that directs menses across the elongate body. The spiral flow path includes at least one complete turn around the longitudinal axis of the elongate body.

Systems and method of facilitating hemostasis in a tract in a patient are disclosed. The method can include, in some cases, delivering an elongate member into the tract, the elongate member comprising a lumen; injecting a suspension through the elongate member, the suspension comprising pledgets comprising surface irregularities; a hemostatic agent; and particles comprising an average diameter less than an average diameter of the pledgets. The pledgets, hemostatic agent, and particles pack the tract and promote hemostasis.

A menstrual tampon includes a sponge structure having a prewetted natural material, a special tampon form, and an outer fluid-impervious layer. The tampon also includes an applicator for easy insertion of a tampon, but can be used without an applicator, and a string or ring for convenient removal.

A tampon assembly includes a substantially inflexible and relatively thin impermeable portion having two opposite side faces and an outer edge which is oval in shape and markedly oval in form so that the oval shape of the impermeable portion has a largest dimension as measured through the center of the impermeable portion and a smallest dimension as measured through the center of the impermeable portion, and the largest dimension is at least about 1.5 times the size of the smallest dimension. The assembly further includes an absorbent pad portion which is secured to one side face of the impermeable portion so that when the assembly is positioned within a user, the absorbent pad portion is positioned in a condition for absorbing fluids and the outer edge of the impermeable portion sealingly engages the walls of the vaginal canal.

A menstrual tampon includes a sponge structure having a prewetted natural material, a special tampon form, and an outer fluid-impervious layer. The tampon also includes an applicator for easy insertion of a tampon, but can be used without an applicator, and a string or ring for convenient removal.

Tampons including an elongate body and a removal string extending from a removal end of the elongate body. The tampons may include an absorbent material and a spiral flow path that directs menses across the elongate body. The spiral flow path includes at least one complete turn around the longitudinal axis of the elongate body.