ANNULAR DEVICE WITH AN INNER GRIP SURFACE FOR A MALE CONTRACEPTIVE, AND MANUFACTURING PROCESS THEREOF

Abstract

The male contraceptive device, annular, encircles the shaft and the empty scrotum of the wearing individual of childbearing age. A rear annular edge of the device comes to abut against the base of the shaft. The inner face of the device has protrusions at least in the area of an inner adhering surface. The top of the shaft may engage against a concave upper surface portion of the device. Opposite this portion, one or more anti-slip surface portions for scrotal contact are formed in the zone separated from the shaft, in order to allow keeping a scrotal skin portion in a position in contact with the protrusions and/or with a retainer forming a slit, the rear edge raising the testicles while keeping them behind the inner volume.

Claims

1. A male contraceptive device adapted to encircle a shaft, the device having an annular shape around a virtual longitudinal axis and comprising: two annular edges forming two opposite axial ends of the device, a first edge of the two edges being a rear abutment edge on the side of the shaft root in mounted state of the device with the shaft encircled; an outer face; an inner face delimiting an inner volume and having protrusions to form an inner grip surface of the device, the inner face comprising an upper surface portion, concave, intended to be in contact with the shaft on the side of superficial dorsal vein thereof; wherein interstitial zones are distributed on the inner face, between the protrusions, to facilitate perspiration; wherein the device further comprises a surface portion for scrotal contact, adapted to be spaced from the shaft and located opposite the upper surface portion, such that it enables to keep a scrotal skin portion between the shaft placed in the inner volume and the surface portion for scrotal contact, whereas said rear abutment edge pushes back the testicles behind the inner volume, and wherein the surface portion for scrotal contact is formed at least in part by said inner grip surface and/or by a lower retaining portion forming a slit which extends under the inner grip surface.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the inner face has an annular configuration enabling to define a through passage whose radial extension measured perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis, is at least 27 mm and at most 53 mm in an undeformed state, the through passage delimited by the inner face is deformable by elastic deformation of a flexible material forming the device, the distance between the two annular edges is comprised between 15 and 24 mm at least on the side of said surface portion for scrotal contact.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the protrusions are in the form of nubs, the device comprising a flexible polymer material to define the nubs.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the surface portion for scrotal contact corresponds to a surface area of at least 2 cm.sup.2 and has first protrusions which project radially inward.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is in the form of a ring made as a single-piece, in an elastomer.

6. The device according to claim 1, comprising a structure with at least two layers in a lower part of the device, the protrusions of the inner face being at least in part formed by a layer referred as inner layer defining a coating, said slit being formed between two layers extending under said inner layer.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the inner face has, on the side of the upper surface portion, at least one among: an axial extension axially offset forward relative to the remainder of the inner; and two projections spaced at least 5 mm apart and facing each other, on either side of a virtual median plane of the device, where the two projections project radially inward.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the retaining lower portion forming a slit is part of an annular piece constituting the device.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the retaining lower portion delimits a housing, distinct from the inner volume, which is formed internally in a lower part of the device to receive the scrotal skin portion, the housing being delimited by two facing surfaces which present retaining reliefs.

10. The device according to claim 8, wherein the slit is formed transversely to the longitudinal axis by having a first opening in the inner face and a second opening, opposite the first opening, in the outer face.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the inner face defines an inner diameter measured perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis, where the slit extends between two ends separated from each other by a distance greater than the inner diameter.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device serves to encircle a shaft and the scrotal skin of the empty scrotum to provide a male contraception, during a daily time greater than or equal to 14 hours, whereas the protrusions of the inner face are in contact with the scrotal skin so as to keep the testicles in a proximal position near the inguinal canal.

13. A process for manufacturing the male contraceptive device according to claim 1 by using a mold, the process comprising: providing a thermoset polymer; hot molding the thermoset polymer in ring shape in an annular cavity of the mold, while forming protrusions on said inner face by molding in corresponding hollow imprints of the mold located to face an outer peripheral part of the mold; and cooling said material in order to allow hardening thereof and obtaining a solid and flexible state of the device.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least eight of the protrusions are distributed along a single circular trajectory in a transverse section of the device, over a half for contact with the scrotal skin.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein the inner face is provided with at least eight nubs per square centimeter.

16. The device according to claim 14, wherein on the surface portion of the inner face for the scrotal contact, maximum inter-protrusion distance is less than 7 mm.

17. The device according to claim 14, wherein the protrusions have a height, measured perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis, of at least 0.4 mm, and wherein the protrusions are distributed in parallel transverse rows with each transverse row extending over more than half of inner circumference of the device, a network of protrusions being formed with longitudinal rows of at least three protrusions along the longitudinal direction.

18. The device according to claim 17, wherein the protrusions are forming the grip surface 30, the protrusions comprising several tens of nubs.

19. The device according to claim 2, wherein the protrusions are in the form of nubs, the device comprising a flexible polymer material to define the nubs.

20. The device according to claim 2, wherein the surface portion for scrotal contact corresponds to a surface area of at least 2 cm.sup.2 and has first protrusions which project radially inward.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0100] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the following description of several of the embodiments thereof, given as nonlimiting examples, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

[0101] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a male contraceptive device in accordance to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0102] FIG. 2 is a side view of a male contraceptive device in accordance to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0103] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the device from FIG. 2;

[0104] FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of a device according to a third embodiment similar to the one from FIG. 3;

[0105] FIG. 5 is a front view of a male contraceptive device whose front and rear surfaces are identical, according to a fourth embodiment;

[0106] FIG. 6A is a view of half of a male contraceptive device in an option with the lower part inclined from front to back, which serves to form a larger passage section from the side of the rear edge compared to the passage section defined by the front edge;

[0107] FIG. 6B is a view of half of a device similar to the one from FIG. 2 serving to show the sections in the annular body of the device;

[0108] FIG. 7 is a side view showing a male contraceptive device which is distinguished in particular from the second embodiment by a notch on the side of the front surface;

[0109] FIG. 8A shows a male contraceptive device conforming to another embodiment of the invention, with a slit separating two subelements of the lower part of the device;

[0110] FIG. 8B is a view, along a vertical median section, of half of the device from FIG. 8A;

[0111] FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a male contraceptive device conforming to another embodiment of the invention, with a space separating two layers of the lower part of the device;

[0112] FIG. 9B is a view, along a horizontal median section, of an upper part of the device from FIG. 9A;

[0113] FIG. 10 is a vertical section view showing a detail of the device from FIGS. 9B and 9B.

[0114] In the figures, same references designate identical or similar items.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0115] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the male contraceptive device 1 has a generally annular shape with which to encircle the shaft 2 of the wearer. The inner face F1 of the device 1 has irregularities resulting from protrusions 3. An inner grip surface 30, typically continuous, may be made up with such protrusions 3. In this nonlimiting example, the device 1 extends continuously around a virtual longitudinal axis X. Such an axis X may optionally belong to a median plane of symmetry P which separates the device 1 into two halves 11, 12.

[0116] The outer face F2 of the device 1 may extend between two opposite axial ends. The outer face F2 is for example smooth and forms continuously rounded circumference. Here, the two axial ends may be defined by two respective annular edges 10a, 10b. The rear edge 10a is designed and positioned to come stop against the side of the root of the shaft 2 in the worn state of the device 1 with the shaft 2 encircled.

[0117] As shown in FIG. 2, the male contraceptive device 1 serves to encircle the shaft 2 and the empty scrotum 6 of the wearing individual of childbearing age. A rear annular edge 10a, which may extend transversely to the longitudinal axis X (perpendicular placement in the case of the FIG. 2) of the device 1, comes to stop at the side of the root of the shaft. The inner face F1, which delimits an inner volume V of the device 1 has protrusions 3 uniformly distributed or closely spaced at least in the area of the inner adhering/grip surface 30.

[0118] The top of the shaft 2 may engage against a concave upper surface portion 21 of the device 1, as can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 3. Opposite this upper surface portion 21, the inner grip surface 30 has an anti-slip surface portion 33.

[0119] In the example from FIGS. 1 to 7, this anti-slip surface portion 33 serves for the scrotal contact, and is in practice separated from the shaft 2 in order to allow holding of the scrotal skin portion in a lower zone of inner volume V with direct contact against the protrusions 3. Since the spacing between the shaft 2 and the facing protrusions 3 is sufficiently small, the empty scrotum 6 is held tight in the inner volume V without it being possible for the testicles T to enter into this volume V. In fact, the rear annular edge 10a pushes the testicles T backward from the inner volume V.

[0120] The surface portion 33 for the scrotal contact, defined straight below the upper surface portion 21 in order to provide pressure on the empty scrotum 6, corresponds to a surface area of at least 2 or 3 cm.sup.2.

[0121] In the embodiments shown, the inner adhering surface 30 extends over the majority or the entirety of the inner face F1 such that the protrusions 3 are present in zones opposite each other.

[0122] Here, the upper surface portion 21, concave, of the inner face F1 allows contact with the shaft 2 from the side of the superficial dorsal vein thereof while providing a guiding and stabilizing effect. Protrusions 3, here in the form of nubs, may be provided in this upper surface portion 21. The inner face F1 may be locally extended (preferably forward) and/or provided with support or compression points, which serve to increase the contact zone between the shaft 2 and this upper surface portion 21.

[0123] An anti-slip effect may be obtained from the formation of protrusions 3, typically nubs laid out in parallel rows R1, R2, in combination with a relatively low hardness of the material M forming the device 1 (for example a hardness less than or equal to 30 on the Shore A scale). This anti-slip effect may be provided at least in the upper surface portion 21 in order to limit the risk of slipping of the device 1 during phases of movement of the wearer (e.g. walking, running, jumping, etc.).

[0124] In the options shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, the device 1 may also comprise the same type of protrusions 3 in order to form the inner grip surface 30 and the upper surface portion 21. Alternatively, at least two groups of structurally different protrusion may be provided. As a nonlimiting example, a roughness resulting from submillimeter unevenness can be provided in one zone, while the other zone has nubs having an extension of at least 1 mm. In other variants, like those shown in FIGS. 8A to 9B, a group of protrusions is formed inside in a slit 41 or 42 in order to form an adhering zone which extends parallel to the inner grip surface 30.

[0125] Preferably, several tens of nubs, each visible to the naked eye, are formed in order to form the grip surface 30. In the examples from the Figures, the protrusions 3 are typically nubs laid out in parallel rows which each completely circle the longitudinal axis X. As can be clearly seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, these protrusions 3 are here distributed from one edge to the other 10a, 10b at least in the lower part of the device intended for contact with the empty scrotum 6.

[0126] As shown in FIG. 1, the inner volume V which is delimited by the inner face F1 may correspond to a volume with substantially cylindrical or continuously rounded contour, in an undeformed state of the device 1. The longitudinal extension of this inner volume V is limited and typically less than the largest inner width or diameter D defined by the through passage 5 (central passage surrounded by the inner face F1). This inner volume V has a width typically less than or equal to 50 or 53 mm but greater than 27 mm such that it may be filled by a section of the shaft 2 and by the empty scrotum 6.

[0127] To make this insertion of the shaft 2 through the central through passage 5 easier, the inner face F1 may have a generally circular circumference with possible exceptions, in particular when one or more projections 7a, 7b are provided as in the case shown in FIG. 3.

[0128] The projections 7a, 7b protrude for example inward (relative to the rest of the inner face F1) with a height of at least 1 or 2 mm and/or, typically, may have an extension dimension towards the longitudinal axis X which is greater than the height of the protrusions 3. These projections 7a, 7b may each optionally include other protrusions 3 in the form of nubs, as in the remainder of the inner face F1.

[0129] The projections 7a, 7b limit one of the types of descent of the testicles T. The path for possible bypass of the ring is in fact blocked by the projections 7a, 7b preventing the testicles T from migrating from the perineal zone. The projections 7a, 7b are flexible, typically with a large capacity for deformation in order to adapt to the morphology of each user and to different movements and postures.

[0130] In the nonlimiting example from FIG. 3, the spacing between the two projections 7a, 7b, for example included between 14 and 40 mm, is such that a throat zone is formed in an upper portion 21 of the inner grip surface 30. Optionally, these two projections 7a, 7b may form compression points which are adjacent to the rear edge 10 (of the side of the root of the shaft) and are located: [0131] on either side of the median plane P, which could be a plane of symmetry; [0132] one in an angular section which may be included between 22 and 67° and the other in another angular section which may be included between 292 and 337° (knowing that the 0/360° reference corresponds to the upper point of the inner face F1 of the device 1, meaning the center of the upper surface portion 21 facing the superficial dorsal vein of the penis.

[0133] Now referring to FIG. 4, more than two upper projections can be seen. Here four projecting members 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d are formed on the inner face F1, each with a narrowed and/or tapered zone in order to define a leakage edge oriented towards the rear and possibly placed away from the rear annular edge. In order to get a stabilizing effect, the surface of these projecting members 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d may be uneven. These projecting members may be gathered and brought together in pairs in order to be located, in the inner face F1, similarly to the aforementioned location in the case of the two projections 7a, 7b.

[0134] Whether it is with the device from FIG. 3 or the one from FIG. 4, the throat shaped spacing (between the projections/projecting members) in the portion of the upper surface 21 may help the device to be deformed by making it slightly less curved from the side of the upper surface portion 21. This deformation may serve to better distribute the retaining force from the upper side, by also holding the scrotal skin 16 laterally (which results from a slight inverted trapezoidal deformation effect). In other words, the separation of the compression/restraining points may correspond to an optimal position for support of the testicles without compressing the penis.

[0135] The material constituting the device 1 is weakly compressible or incompressible and has a density at least equal to 1, for example at least equal to 1.04. This is a flexible material M which has a significant extensibility. When the device 1 is made of a single material part, this material M may have anti-sliding properties. It typically involves a silicone.

[0136] Of course, the flexible material M of the device 1 may be stretched without risk of tearing, in particular in radial directions, knowing that the lengthening thereof before rupture is at least 400%, for example, preferably from 650 to 1000%.

[0137] FIG. 1 shows an option in which the device 1 comprises a pair of projecting elements 8, 9 projecting towards the front side relative to the body 15 in form of regular ring/constant axial extension. These projecting elements 8, 9 extend past for example the maximum of 5 mm forward relative to the remainder of the front edge 10b. Here each of the projecting elements 8, 9 has a frontal portion for which the profile is “C”-like by thus forming a continuously convex front surface from one of the junctions with the circular part of the front edge 10b to the other. Other profiles, for example forming waves, may also be used. The projecting elements 8, 9 define axial extensions F8, F9 from the inner face F1 serving to further stabilize the device 1.

[0138] The protrusions 3 may be present on the inner side of these projecting elements 8, 9 but not on the front surface with the possible exception of a row or edge of protrusions 3b projecting forward from the front surface defined in the corresponding element 8 or 9.

[0139] The thickness e of the projecting elements 8, 9 or of any other analogous extension 17 may be less than the thickness E2 of the body 15 in the upper part, for example by being two times smaller than the thickness E2. Referring to FIG. 3, the axial extension F17 which extends forward from the inner face F1, from the upper side, is concave by following the general curvature of the front edge 10b. The radius of curvature of the projecting element 17 may thus be the same as in the main body 15 of the device 1.

[0140] It is understood that the projecting elements 8, 9 and the protrusions 3, here distributed in several facing zones on the inner face F1, improve the general hold of the device 1 to the root of the shaft 2. The protrusions 3 may be directly integrated with the flexible material M constituting the device. In variants, the flexible material M is not the sole component of the device 1 and may only form an added/overmolded coating on another layer of flexible and stretchable material.

[0141] Further, as can be seen in FIG. 9A, using a slit 42, a radial expansion space may be formed, which extends between two subelements each forming a respective layer of the ring. The layer proximal to the longitudinal axis X may thus have an increased elastic deformation, which provides the user extra comfort. The slit 42 for defining such a space may be obtained during molding of the silicone body. Such a slit 42 may be provided in a wide range of devices conforming to the invention. Alternatively, a slit 41 may be provided which extends through the body of device 1 for the most part in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A as in the case shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. This design may also allow an expansion with effect of separation between the edges 10a and 10b.

[0142] The FIGS. 2 and 3 show an option with a single projecting element 17 larger than the elements 8, 9 and which is distributed in the two halves 11 and 12. This type of projecting elements 8, 9, 17 may be formed from the upper side of the device 1, in order to engage with the upper side of the shaft 2 on both sides of the superficial dorsal vein. When such projecting elements 8, 9, 17 are present, the protrusions 3 of the inner face F1 may also be provided on the inner side of these projecting elements 8, 9, 17.

[0143] Having such projecting elements 8, 9, 17 allow the inner face in contact with the shaft 2 to be locally extended. More generally, it is understood that the inner face F1 may have, preferably on the side of the upper surface portion 21, at least one among: [0144] an axial extension (resulting from a projecting element 8, 9 or 17) axially offset forward relative to the remainder of the inner face F1; and [0145] two projections 7a, 7b separated from each other and facing each other from both sides of the virtual median plane P of the device 1, where the two projections 7a, 7b are radially projecting inward.

[0146] In a part of the device 1 complementary to that which comprises the extension 17 or the elements 8, 9, a space or a slit 41, 42 which extends transversely over a portion of the periphery of the ring, as shown for example in FIGS. 8A and 9A, may be provided.

[0147] In a variant, the device 1 may consist of a ring having a symmetry of revolution around the longitudinal axis X. In this case, the device 1 may be formed uniquely by the body 15 shown in FIG. 1 without the projecting elements 8, 9.

[0148] Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6B, the outer face F2 and the inner face F1 may have a variable thickness between them. The thickness E1 measured in the lower part of the device 1, here in median plane P, may be greater, for example greater with at least 1 mm thickness excess, than the thickness E2 measured in the upper part of the device 1, here in the median plane P.

[0149] Optionally, the device 1 breaks down into two identical halves 11, 12 separated from each other by the median plane P, and may further not have any portions projecting forward or rearward. The device 1 could have a front and a rear surface which are identical. This makes it possible to place the device 1 on the shaft 2 without risk of mistaking the insertion direction.

[0150] In these embodiments, the protrusions 3 of the inner face F1 may have the shape of nubs, for example the shape of half-beads entirely formed with the layer forming the inner face F1. Although the figures show an inner face F1 provided continuously with protrusions 3, areas without protrusion may also be provided.

[0151] At least two series of protrusion may be provided, structurally different or not. In the example from FIG. 1, the edge protrusions 3b are distinguished from the other protrusions 3a in that they also project forward or rearward relative to the outer face F2, respectively depending on whether they are located along the rear edge 10a or along the front edge 10b.

[0152] The semi-beads or similar nubs covering the inside of the ring-shaped body 15 improve the retaining/stabilization of the skin of the scrotum 16 and skin of the penis. They serve to improve keeping the testicles T in supra-scrotal position at the root of the shaft near the outer orifice of the inguinal canal, in order to induce an increase in temperature of the testicles with the human body as the only heat source.

[0153] On FIG. 1, protrusions 3 are shown arranged in respective rows R1, R2 and they are optionally staggered. With this type of structure for forming the inner face F1, it is of interest to define at least three or four parallel rows of protrusions. In this nonlimiting example, each row R1, R2 is arranged to be generally parallel to the edges 10a and 10b.

[0154] The axial extension L15 of the body 15 is between 15 and 24 mm and may be constant (see distance measured longitudinally between the two edges 10a, 10b) except in the upper part where optional projecting elements 8, 9, 17 are provided (with a locally larger axial extension L15′). When the axial extension L15 is over 15 mm, at least seven or eight different rows, or at least seven or eight protrusions or more may be provided placed on a longitudinal segment going from the rear edge 10a to the front edge 10b.

[0155] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6A-6B, it can be seen that the inner face F1 of the body 15 may have a constant width (corresponding to the axial/longitudinal extension L15 and typically chosen between 15 and 24 mm) but less thickness on the upper side of the device 1. The reduced thickness E2 serves to contribute to the deformation and the comfort of wearing. The Shore A hardness of the material making up the inner face is included between 8 and 30, preferably between 10 and 20.

[0156] This type of structure and the soft contact makes the device 1 particularly well suited for playing regular or intensive sports. The additional presence of projections 7a, 7b like those that can be seen in FIG. 3 is also compatible with playing sports.

[0157] In the options with a symmetry relative to the plane P, the virtual longitudinal axis X constitutes a central axis equidistant between the upper surface portion 21 and the surface portion 33. Optionally, as can be seen in FIG. 6A, a widening of the axis opening from the side of the rear edge 10a may be provided. Here, the rear edge 10a goes down lower than the front edge 10b because of the inclination of the lower part of the body forming the device 1.

[0158] A thickness of the penis-scrotum ring, which increases progressively away from each of the annular edges 10a, 10b (thickness gradient in the ring), can also be provided, for example with the maximum thickness substantially at the midpoint between the two axial annular ends. The thickness E1 may be the same, with a single profile, which is of interest for forming a ring which is worn in both directions, with interchangeable edges 10a, 10b in order to form the front and rear.

[0159] Further, the protrusions 3 of the device 1 may have a larger section away from the two edges 10a, 10b. This increase of section makes the device 1 comfortable even with a large height of the protrusions 3, for example greater than or equal to 0.9 or 1 mm. The interstitial zones between the nubs or protrusions 3 can make perspiration easier, which makes the device 1 particularly suited to extended wearing, typically for a time of over 12 hours.

[0160] Compared to the device from FIG. 5, the devices from FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7 have the advantage of better distributing the pressure on the top of the shaft 2, because of the elements 8, 9, 17 projecting in the forward direction. The fact of extending the inner face F1 with axial extensions supplements the deformable nature and provides a major advantage in comfort for people spending long times seated while wearing the device 1.

[0161] The characteristic dimension of the through passage 5, here an inner diameter D, may be of about 40 mm. For comfortably wearing the device 1, it may be attractive for the user to select their size, for example among diameters D of 30, 40 or 50 mm.

[0162] Now referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, it can be seen the upper part of the device 1, thicker, may optionally have a slit 41 passing therethrough.

[0163] Independently of the way of implementing the protrusions 3 and forming the upper part, the slit 41 may be of interest in that it forms a passage allowing insertion of an end of the empty scrotal pocket (part of the scrotal skin) with a retaining effect fairly comparable to the retaining of a strap, for example. The elasticity of the material of the device 1 serves to separate this slit 41 at the time of insertion. If this end is slid through the slit 41 in order to come out below the side of the end surface F2, the separated slit 41 is then re-closed and risk of the scrotal skin portion 16 coming back out by the rear of the inner volume V is minimized.

[0164] Of course, with this device 1 provided with a slit 41, the user may just as well choose to place the scrotal skin portion 16 in the slit 41 or in a lower part of the inner volume V as in the case shown in FIG. 2. The ends 41a, 41b of the slit 41 are separated from each other, hereby being diametrically opposite which allows adaptation to a wide variety of scrotal skin 6.

[0165] As shown in FIG. 8B, the inner faces delimiting the slit 41 may be ribbed, grooved or textured to improve the adhesion against the scrotal skin portion 16 for better retention. More generally, any retaining means may be provided in order to form the slit 41 and define one or more surface portions 133 against which the scrotal skin 6 is engaged with an adhesion force.

[0166] Referring to FIG. 9A, it can be seen the projecting elements 8, 9 may be placed at mid-height on the device 1, where these projecting elements are optional and interchangeable with the extension 17 or similar extension as shown in FIG. 8B. Further, a slit 42 can be provided defining a radial expansion space in the lower part of device 1, shown here in the form of a slot going from the front edge 10b to the rear edge 10a. This type of slot allows a mobility of the lower part of the device 1 with an expansion effect in a radial direction.

[0167] This type of radial displacement may accompany a natural expansion of the scrotum.

[0168] The scrotal skin 6 may selectively be slid through this slit 42 from the rear edge 10a to come out from the side of the front edge 10b. The slit 42 which is separated during this insertion of the scrotal skin 6 may then close up and the risk of the scrotal skin portion 16 coming back out by the rear of the inner volume V is minimized.

[0169] More generally, any retaining means may be provided to form the slit 42 and define one or more surface portions 233 against which the scrotal skin 6 is engaged with an adhesion/grip force.

[0170] Of course, with this device 1 provided with a slit 42, the user may just as well choose to place the scrotal skin portion 16 in the slit 42 or in a lower part of the inner volume V as in the case shown in FIG. 2.

[0171] As illustrated in FIG. 9B, the inner faces delimiting the space 42 may be ribbed, grooved or textured in order to improve the adhesion against the scrotal skin 6 for better retaining. In the example shown, the slot forming the space 42 has two opposite ends 42a, 42b, which extends beyond the horizontal median plane (and above the projecting elements 8, 9). The significant gap between the ends 42a, 42b of the slit 42, larger than the inner diameter D makes insertion of the scrotal skin 6 easier for a wide range of sizes/geometries of this scrotal skin.

[0172] In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 9A and 10, it is provided an option, applicable to any device 1 in accordance to the invention, according to which the protrusions 3 have a hollow 43 and/or a suction-cup shape. A very good adhesion is obtained that way, with protrusions 3 which is similar to the suction cups present on the arms of an octopus.

[0173] At least for some protrusions 3, the lateral surface delimiting the hollow 43 may be non-cylindrical, a conic section which flares towards the contact surface of the protrusions 3.

[0174] An advantage of the device 1 is the compactness thereof and the comfort of using it. It is well suited to providing male contraception once it is worn around 14 or 15 hours per day, where the TMC contraceptive effect (thermal male contraception) can be observed after 2 months of regular wear, analogously to what was verified by the work of Prof. Mieusset in the context of wearing a brief raising the testicles (Roger Mieusset and Louis Bujan: The potential of mild testicular heating as a safe, effective and reversible contraceptive method for men, International journal of andrology, 17:186-191, 1994).

[0175] The device 1 alone and without medical or surgical intervention constitutes an effective tool for contraception. The reversibility of the method and the absence of side effects are further significant advantages for a low-cost device 1.

[0176] The annular male contraceptive device 1 may be produced industrially by hot molding, in a mold which may typically be annular. The device 1 may be free of latex and be hypoallergenic. Preferably, it contains neither colorants nor bisphenol A, nor phthalate compounds, nor bleaching agents, nor toxins.

[0177] The production process for the device 1 may use a polymer, thermoset polymer for instance, in order to get a shape memory effect, such flexible material M being preferably silicone-based. The thermoset polymer is hot mold in ring shape in an annular cavity of the mold, while forming protrusions 3 on the inner face F1 by molding in corresponding hollow imprints of the mold. Such imprints are located facing an external peripheral part of the mold. The external surface could be formed smooth, without need for special imprints on the outer peripheral part of the mold.

[0178] The molding is typically injection molding. After cooling of the molded material, the device 1 results which is solid and has a relatively low hardness, where the material M is flexible and stretchable.

[0179] One or more surface treatment steps may be done, for example after solidification. The inner face F1 and the outer face F2 may in that way be made softer to the touch.

[0180] In an implementation variant, the device 1 may be obtained by an additive production technique. 3D printers from Wacker are suitable, for example, for using silicone as 3D printing material.

[0181] In this case, printing instructions are provided from a file representative of spatial coordinates of the device 1 (coordinates in a typically Cartesian reference frame). The silicone injector is next moved along a routine for reconstituting the successive layers with which to form the device 1. In the case of a flexible material M of silicone type, it may be deposited drop by drop with a high viscosity. The printing support or bed may be a glass support. At the end of depositing each layer, the droplets are fused by vulcanization with a UV source. This production mode may be well suited when there is a need to implement small production runs or prototypes.

[0182] As for the precise shape, the diameter D or analogous dimension, position of compression points, values or information as above provided have been specified solely for a non-limiting way of making the device 1.

[0183] In a variant implementation, apparent from FIG. 7, the body 15 of the ring has a notch 22 for the passage of the scrotal skin 16 from the side of the front edge 10b. The notch 22 extends for example, from front to back, over a distance less than or equal to 10 mm, preferably less than or equal to 5 or 6 mm. A projection 23 may be formed on the rear edge 10a of the lower side, in order to avoid too much reduction of the surface portion 33 for the scrotal contact.

[0184] Further, accessorizing the device 1 with an appendage may be planned, for example an appendage, vibrating or not, for the clitoris. The appendage is either integrally formed with the body 15 by being joined to the outer face F2, or removably attached on an appropriate attachment member formed on the outer face (of the lower side of the device).

[0185] In some options, the device 1 may form a connected object or have a timer with which to determine the wearing time. With an electronic communication accessory, the user could connect/pair the device 1 with an application, typically an application downloadable over the Internet, in order to manage their contraception (time, effectiveness, break time, discussion forum for practices, etc.).

[0186] The contraception device 1 (control of the fertility) advantageously eliminate active heating zone: the supra-scrotal position of the testicles T, in contact with the body heat, is sufficient for getting the desired effect. It is therefore a self-heating constant temperature device 1 for personal use.

[0187] Thus, even though the examples shown illustrate a device 1 in the form of a ring made of one part or constantly closed, the device 1 may as needed form a loop that can be opened. In an option, the closed loop configuration is allowed with an adjustment of the length of the inner perimeter of the annular device.

[0188] The device 1 may optionally have the shape of an adjustable belt. Alternatively, an elastic hinge and closure means (including mechanical elements, for latching, self-adhering members, magnetic elements, other similar elements or combinations of these means) may be provided, with typically a lock for the loop configuration of the device 1.

[0189] A plastic part for which the hinge has a bistable nature, which may allow changing closure means or limiting the closure contact to a superposition between the ends of the device, could be used.