MEDICAL ENDOVAGINAL DEVICE

Abstract

Disclosed is a medical endovaginal device, including an elongated element defining a direction of development and having, at its proximal end, a head arranged to be introduced inside the vagina and, at its distal end, engagement element with the extreme portion of the penis during sexual intercourse.

Claims

1. A medical endovaginal device (1, 101, 201, 301, 401), comprising an elongated element (2, 102, 202, 302, 402) defining a direction of development (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) and having, at its proximal end, a head (3, 103, 203, 303, 403) arranged to be introduced inside the vagina and, at its distal end, engagement means (4, 104, 204, 304, 404) with the extreme portion of the penis during sexual intercourse.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein said engagement means (4, 104, 204, 304, 404) comprise a hollow support (4, 104, 204, 304, 404) for the penis.

3. Device according to claim 1, wherein said elongated element (2, 102, 202, 302, 402) is made of silicone gel.

4. Device according to claim 1, wherein said elongated element (2, 102, 202, 302, 402) has different mechanical characteristics along said development direction (10, 110, 210, 310, 410), in such a way that it is more rigid towards its proximal end and less rigid toward its distal end.

5. Device according to claim 1, further comprising a thickness (108) for supporting the end portion of the penis during sexual intercourse, connected to the distal end of said elongated body (102).

6. Device according to claim 1, wherein said elongated element (202, 302, 402) comprises a proximal portion (207, 307, 407) and a distal portion (208, 308, 408) solidly associated with each other and having different stiffness, in a way that the device (201, 301, 401) has a greater rigidity in proximity of said head (203, 303, 403) than the stiffness at its distal end.

7. Device according to claim 1, further comprising recovery means (5, 105, 205, 305, 405) of the device (1, 101, 201, 301, 401).

8. Device according to claim 1, wherein said recovery means (5, 105, 205, 305, 405) comprise a thread (5, 105, 205, 305, 405) associated with said elongated element (2, 102, 202, 302, 402).

9. Device according to claim 6, wherein said thread (5, 105, 205, 305, 405) is associated to said proximal portion (207, 307, 407).

10. Device according to claim 1, further comprising means for release of a spermicide substance, in such a way that the device (1, 101, 201, 301, 401) is a means of contraception.

11. Device according to claim 2, wherein said elongated element (2, 102, 202, 302, 402) is made of silicone gel.

12. Device according to claim 2, wherein said elongated element (2, 102, 202, 302, 402) has different mechanical characteristics along said development direction (10, 110, 210, 310, 410), in such a way that it is more rigid towards its proximal end and less rigid toward its distal end.

13. Device according to claim 3, wherein said elongated element (2, 102, 202, 302, 402) has different mechanical characteristics along said development direction (10, 110, 210, 310, 410), in such a way that it is more rigid towards its proximal end and less rigid toward its distal end.

14. Device according to claim 2, further comprising a thickness (108) for supporting the end portion of the penis during sexual intercourse, connected to the distal end of said elongated body (102).

15. Device according to claim 3, further comprising a thickness (108) for supporting the end portion of the penis during sexual intercourse, connected to the distal end of said elongated body (102).

16. Device according to claim 4, further comprising a thickness (108) for supporting the end portion of the penis during sexual intercourse, connected to the distal end of said elongated body (102).

17. Device according to claim 2, wherein said elongated element (202, 302, 402) comprises a proximal portion (207, 307, 407) and a distal portion (208, 308, 408) solidly associated with each other and having different stiffness, in a way that the device (201, 301, 401) has a greater rigidity in proximity of said head (203, 303, 403) than the stiffness at its distal end.

18. Device according to claim 3, wherein said elongated element (202, 302, 402) comprises a proximal portion (207, 307, 407) and a distal portion (208, 308, 408) solidly associated with each other and having different stiffness, in a way that the device (201, 301, 401) has a greater rigidity in proximity of said head (203, 303, 403) than the stiffness at its distal end.

19. Device according to claim 4, wherein said elongated element (202, 302, 402) comprises a proximal portion (207, 307, 407) and a distal portion (208, 308, 408) solidly associated with each other and having different stiffness, in a way that the device (201, 301, 401) has a greater rigidity in proximity of said head (203, 303, 403) than the stiffness at its distal end.

20. Device according to claim 5, wherein said elongated element (202, 302, 402) comprises a proximal portion (207, 307, 407) and a distal portion (208, 308, 408) solidly associated with each other and having different stiffness, in a way that the device (201, 301, 401) has a greater rigidity in proximity of said head (203, 303, 403) than the stiffness at its distal end.

Description

[0024] Further features and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the medical endovaginal device, illustrated by way of non-limiting example with the aid of the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a first variant of the medical endovaginal device (1), in elevation;

[0026] FIG. 2 shows the device (1) of FIG. 1, sectioned with a vertical plane relative to the head (3) of the device (1), passing through its direction of development (10);

[0027] FIG. 3 shows a second variant of the device (101), represented in elevation and sectioned vertically with respect to the head (103);

[0028] FIG. 4 is a third embodiment of the device (201), represented in elevation and sectioned vertically with respect to the head (203);

[0029] FIG. 5 represents a fourth example of the device (301), represented in elevation and sectioned vertically with respect to the head (303);

[0030] FIG. 6 represents a last variation of the device (401), represented in elevation and sectioned vertically with respect to the head (403).

[0031] With reference to the above figures, a medical endovaginal device according to the invention, which is generally referred to by the numerals 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, has the basic features of comprising a substantially cylindrical elongated element 2, 102, 202, 302, 402, defining a direction of development 10, 110, 210, 310, 410 and having, at its proximal end, a head 3, 103, 203, 303, 403 arranged to be introduced inside the vagina and, at its distal end, engagement means 4, 104, 204, 304, 404 with the extreme portion of the penis during sexual intercourse.

[0032] The head 3, 103, 203, 303 and 403, for example, has a hemispherical shape.

[0033] Advantageously, said engagement means comprise a hollow support 4, 104, 204, 304 and 404 for the penis during sexual intercourse, so that the thrust towards the inside of the vagina is more effective and which does not give problems to the penis itself or discomfort to its owner.

[0034] Necessarily, the elongate element 2, 102, 202, 302 and 402 is made of a biocompatible material, for example silicone or silicone gel.

[0035] Depending on the material chosen, the device can be washable and reusable after disinfection with antibacterial solutions and detergents, or it can be disposable.

[0036] Advantageously, the elongate element 2, 102, 202, 302 and 402 has different mechanical characteristics along the direction of development 10, 110, 210, 310 and 410, in such a way that it is stiffer towards its proximal end and less stiff (semi-rigid) towards its distal end.

[0037] In this way, the device 1, 101, 201, 301 and 401 will be suitable to stimulate more effectively the uterine neck of the vagina due to the extreme stiffness of the head 3, 103, 203, 303 and 403, but it will not be uncomfortable to the partner of the woman pushing the extreme part of his penis with the hollow portion 4, 104, 204, 304 and 404.

[0038] With reference to FIG. 3, the device 101 includes a thickness 108 for supporting the extreme portion of the penis during sexual intercourse, connected to the distal end of said elongated body 102.

[0039] The thickness 108 is defined the hollow portion 104 for engaging the penis.

[0040] Preferably, the elongated element 102 is made of silicone, while the thickness 108 of made of silicone gel.

[0041] In other embodiments 201, 301 and 401, the elongated element 202, 302 and 402 includes a proximal portion 207, 307 and 407, and a distal portion 208, 308 and 408, solidly associated with each other, for example by gluing or melting. The two portions 207, 307, 407th 208, 308 and 408 have different stiffnesses, in a way that the device 201, 301 and 401 has a greater rigidity toward the head 203, 303 and 403, and a lower rigidity at the hollow portion 204, 304 and 404, respectively defined on the outer face of the distal portions 208, 308 and 408.

[0042] An embodiment provides that the proximal portions 207, 307 and 407 are made of silicone, while the distal portions 208, 308 and 408 are made of silicone gel, or however of a biocompatible material with tactile characteristics similar to those of the vaginal bottom.

[0043] In a variant embodiment, the proximal and distal portions, 207 and 208, are glued to each other along a flat face (FIG. 4), in a second variant the distal portion 308 is inserted into the proximal portion 308 (FIG. 5), and in still another variant the two portions 407 and 408 are glued on two distinct planes (FIG. 6).

[0044] The latter configuration allows an easier positioning of the recovery means 405 of the device 406.

[0045] Advantageously, indeed, recovery means 5, 105, 205, 305 and 405 of the device 1, 101, 201, 301 and 401 are provided, such as a thread 5, 105, 205, 305, 405 associated to the elongated element 2, 102, 202, 302, 402.

[0046] For security reasons, each of the threads 205, 305 and 405 are to be associated to the relative proximal portion 207, 307 and 407. For the same reason, also the thread 105 has been preferably associated to the elongated element 102 rather than to the thickness 108.

[0047] In the embodiments 201 and 401 (FIGS. 4 and 6), since the outer surface which faces towards the male penis consists only and exclusively in the external face of the corresponding portion 208 and 408, a communication channel between the interface between the portions 207 and 208, 407 and 408 can be provided, within their respective distal portions 208 and 408.

[0048] Advantageously, the side surface of the device 1, 101, 201, 301 and 401 has a set of protuberances 6, 106, 206, 306 and 406 for the stimulation of the vaginal wall by contact.

[0049] Preferably, vaginal lubricant releasing means may be provided, so that the device 1, 101, 201, 301 and 401 can be used to improve the lubrication of the vagina, especially in women suffering from vaginal dryness.

[0050] Spermicide releasing means can also provided, so that the device 1, 101, 201, 301 and 401 can also be used as an effective contraceptive.

[0051] On the contrary, at least one seminal fluid conveying channel can be provided, which is defined along the direction of development of the elongated element, to facilitate the fertilization of the woman.

[0052] An external applicator can be also provided, which is similar to that employed in the introduction of tampons, for the correct insertion of the inventive device.

[0053] In practice, the device 1, 101, 201, 301 and 401 is to be introduced into the vagina prior to the sexual intercourse, also by means of the external applicator, until the head 3, 103, 203, 303 and 403 reaches the bottom (uterine neck).

[0054] Once the sexual intercourse is started, with the penis penetrating the vagina and engaging the hollow portion 4, 104, 204, 304 and 404, the device 1, 101, 201, 301 and 401 acts as an extension, and even if the penis is small, it can give pleasure to the woman.

[0055] Obviously, depending on the length of the penis or on the length of the uterine neck, the size of the device 1, 101, 201, 301 and 401 itself varies accordingly.

[0056] To extract the device 1, 101, 201, 301 and 401, it is only required to pull the thread 5, 105, 205, 305 and 405 outward.

[0057] From the above description it is thus clear that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects, and in particular the fact is stressed that a medical endovaginal device is provided, which allows the disabled person, with reduced dimensions of the penis, to have a full sexual intercourse that is satisfactory for the person and the partner.

[0058] In particular, the idea of a device to be introduced into the vagina, thus shifting the solution of the problem on the woman, allows to avoid all the above mentioned surgical procedure problems as well as numerous female sexual disorders, such as sexual arousal disorders and the orgasmic disorder, which can be overcome in a particular way by conforming the outer surface of the elongated element, for example with the use of the above set of projections, but also to treat or alleviate the sexual pain disorders, in particular vaginismus or dyspareunia, by training the vaginal conduit to hold the device in its interior.

[0059] Moreover, the vaginal lubricant releasing means ameliorate all the disorders and discomfort due to the lack of lubrication.

[0060] In addition, the biocompatible material used for its construction allows a safe use in terms of risk of infections or allergies.

[0061] Another advantage of the medical endovaginal device is given by the fact that, acting as a mechanical plug for the whole duration of the sexual intercourse, allows a safe and clean penetration even during the menstrual cycle of the woman, without the risk that leaks can contact the male penis.

[0062] Another advantage of the invention is given by the fact that such a device has low production costs, and so it will be also possible to realize it in disposable form by suitably choosing the material, with the maximum guarantees from a hygiene point of view.

[0063] Moreover, the idea of a softer side to supporting the penis and a more rigid side to going against the uterine neck ensures a comfortable use ensuring the pleasure of the woman.

[0064] Another advantage of the invention is that, thanks to the set of protuberances defined on the outer surface of the elongated element, it can be used as recreational and entertainment tool by all couples, even without particular and specific male disabilities to be overcome.

[0065] Another advantage of the device according to the invention is given by the fact that it can be used as a valid means of contraception, or, by changing its conformation, as a fertilization aid.

[0066] Last but not least, the use of readily commercially available means and the use of common materials make the device economically competitive. The so-designed invention is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which fall within the scope of the inventive concept. Further, all the details will be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

[0067] In practice, the materials employed, as well as the dimensions, may be different according to requirements, provided they are consistent with the realization purpose.