Genital Shield for Reducing the Transmission of Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Abstract

This invention relates to a genital shield capable of being coupled with a condom for use in the genito-scrotal and suprapubic area of a male. This shield comprises an adhesive dressing for application on a user's genital region that is bio-occlusive, thin, flexible, unobtrusive to the senses, and aesthetically pleasing to a user.

Claims

1. A genital shield for application on a genital region for use in conjunction with a condom to aid in the reduction of the spread of sexually transmitted diseases comprising: at least one barrier further comprising a dressing; said dressing having an adhesive side and non-adhesive side and wherein said dressing is body shape contouring to male anatomy and includes penile base flaps; wherein the dressing is coupled to a backing sheet on the adhesive side and a border sheet on the non-adhesive side.

2. The shield as in claim 1, wherein the dressing comprises a material having a bio-occlusive nature.

3. The shield as in claim 1, wherein the dressing is shaped to contour to the male anatomy by covering the skin of the male genito-scrotal region and male suprapubic region and is applied by removing the dressing from the backing sheet and inserting the penis through the penile opening and adhering the dressing to the skin of the male genito-scrotal region and male suprapubic region; after adherence of the dressing to the skin said border sheet is removed.

4. The shield of claim 3 wherein further comprising a penile barrier for placement about the penile base flaps.

5. The shield as in claim 3 wherein the first barrier further comprises thigh flaps.

6. The shield as in claim 3, wherein a condom is applied to a penis of a male after the barrier is applied.

7. A method for applying a genital shield to a genital area for use in conjunction with a condom to aid in the reduction of the spread of sexually transmitted disease comprising the step of: applying at least one barrier having penile base flaps to skin of the male genital area; said barrier further comprising a body shape contouring dressing wherein said dressing comprises an adhesive side and non-adhesive side; and wherein the dressing is coupled to a backing sheet on the adhesive side and a border sheet on the non-adhesive side.

8. The method as in claim 6 when applying the dressing conforming to the male anatomy further comprising the steps of: applying at least one barrier by removing the dressing from the backing sheet and inserting the penis through the penile base flaps and adhering the dressing to the skin of the male genito-scrotal and suprapubic region; after adherence of the dressing to the skin removing the border sheet of the first barrier and second barrier; applying a penile barrier around the penile base flaps; and applying a condom to a penis.

9. The method as in claim 7 wherein the first barrier further comprises thigh flaps and further comprises the step of adhering the thigh flaps to a thigh.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Possible and preferred features of the present invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it is to be understood that the features illustrated in and described with reference to the drawings are not to be construed as limiting on the broad scope of the invention. In the drawings:

[0026] FIG. 1 is a view of the prior art dressing.

[0027] FIG. 2A is a front view of a shield contoured to fit the male anatomy in the arrangement preferred to fit the genito-scrotal region depicting the dressing, and border sheet having tabs.

[0028] FIG. 2B is a rear view of the shield depicting the backing sheet and penile opening.

[0029] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the shield contoured to the male anatomy, having the penile opening in the open position.

[0030] FIG. 3B is an alternate perspective view of FIG. 3A wherein the penile opening is in the open position.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the dressing as applied to the male anatomy including a dressing over the subra-pubic region.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the dressing as applied to the male anatomy utilizing a penile barrier wrapped around the penile flaps.

[0033] FIG. 6 is a view of the penile barrier having a penile barrier dressing and penile barrier backing sheet.

[0034] FIG. 7 is a view of the genital shield in its flat, undeployed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] Turning to the Figures, FIGS. 2-7 relate to a barrier 2 contoured to the male anatomy. FIGS. 2A and 2B depict a view of the at least one barrier 2 including the backing sheet 6, dressing 4, and border sheets 8 and 8b having tabs 9a, 9b, and 9c. Barrier 2 depicts a dressing 4 contoured to fit male suprapubic region and the male genito-scrotal region 11. Barrier 2 includes a penile base flaps 16 having a penile opening 17. FIG. 6 depicts a penile base barrier 22 having a penile base dressing 22a and a penile base border sheet 22b.

[0036] While only one barrier 2 may be used, for the most protection against disease, it is preferred that both barriers 2 and penile base barrier 22 be used together as seen in FIG. 5.

[0037] The dressing 4 comprises an adhesive side and a non-adhesive side. The adhesive side of the dressing 4 is joined to the backing sheet 6 and the non-adhesive side is joined to the border sheet 8 having tabs 9a, 9b, and 9c when not in use. The penile base dressing 22a also has an adhesive and non-adhesive side. The adhesive side is joined to penile border 22b when not in use. Since it is anticipated that packaging for the barrier 2 will require the barrier 2 to lay flat when packaged, a penile base flaps 16 are anticipated to lay flat on the backing sheet 6 is included on the penile base flap 16.

[0038] As seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, to effectively use the barrier 2 contoured to the male anatomy, a user will peel the dressing 4 away from the backing sheet 6 and apply the adhesive side to the user's skin. The penile base flaps 16 wrap around the base of the penis 18 while the thigh flaps may applied to the thighs. Once the dressing 4 is applied to the skin, the border sheet 8 can be peeled away exposing the non-adhesive side of the dressing. The penile dressing 22a is removed from the penile backing sheet and wrapped around the penile flaps 16 at the base of the penis 21. It is anticipated that a condom 30 will then cover the penile dressing 22a and further fit over the penile base flaps 16. The dressing 2 is anticipated to wrap around and contour to the male scrotum.

[0039] Throughout the specification and claims the word “comprise” and its derivatives are intended to have an inclusive rather than exclusive meaning unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise. That is, the word “comprise” and its derivatives will be taken to indicate the inclusion of not only the listed components, steps or features that it directly references, but also other components, steps or features not specifically listed, unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise.

[0040] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations may be made to the methods of the invention described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.