DEVICE FOR TREATING THE FEMALE UROGENITAL TRACT

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for treating the female urogenital tract and is characterized in that the device comprises a covering device (1) for the urogenital region at least in the region of the vulva, the vagina and the urethra; and in that the covering device is treated substantially fully with an antimicrobial and/or antiseptic substance preventing the migration of bacteria into the urogenital tract.

Claims

1. Device for treating thc femalo an urogenital tract of a female comprising: a cover for an urogenital area at least in an area of a vulva, a vagina and an urethra of the female, wherein the cover comprises an anti-microbial and/or antiseptically active substance against migration of bacteria into the urogenital tract.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the cover also covers the female's anus.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the cover comprises at least one layers.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the cover comprises substantially three layers, namely a first cover layer covering a first side of the device which comes into contact with skin of the female, an intermediate layer, which optionally has absorbing features, and a second cover layer, which closes the device on a second side of the device, the first cover layer comprising or being coated with the anti-microbial, the antiseptically active substance or a mixture thereof.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the cover has an elongated shape of a sanitary towel, which has ends that are rounded.

6. The device according to claim 4, wherein the first cover layer comprises a topstitch in its middle adapted to simplify folding of the cover.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein a shape of the device is configured so that the device can be placed and worn in an interlabially way.

8. The device according to claim 4, wherein the intermediate layer comprises a material which exhibits the absorbing features.

9. The device according to claim 4, wherein the first and optionally the second cover layer comprise a skin-compatible fabric.

10. The device according to claim 4, wherein the first cover layer is coated with bio- or mucoadhesive substances, either in stripes or in points, for a better fixation on the skin of the female.

11. The device according to claim 4, wherein the first cover layer is additionally coated with skin moisture-increasing substances.

12. The device according to claim 4, wherein the active substance or the mixture is are surfactants, quaternary ammonium compounds, biguanides, organic acids, metal ions, including copper zinc, silver, ruthenium, rhodium, iodine compounds, aldehydes, and mixtures thereof.

13. The device according to claim 4, wherein the mixture is applied onto the device that has been pre-assembled by immersing, spraying, or pressing.

14. Method for manufacturing a device according to claim 4, comprising: coating the first cover layer with the active substance or the mixture and subsequently joining the first cover layer with the intermediate layer and the second cover layer.

15. Method for microbially cleaning an urogenital region of a female in need thereof, comprising interlabially placing the device according to claim 1 to clean the urogenital region of the female.

16. The device according to claim 3, wherein the cover comprises one or more textile layers.

17. The device according to claim 3, wherein the cover comprises more than one layer.

18. The device according to claim 8, wherein the material which exhibits absorbing features is wadding, polyurethane foam or superabsorbent polymers.

19. The device according to claim 9, wherein the skin-compatible fabric is cotton, polypropylene, polyester or polyethylene.

20. The device according to claim 11, wherein the skin moisture-increasing substance is glycerol, hyaluronic acid, glycols, or urea

Description

[0033] The figures show schematically devices or covers for the urogenital tract of a woman; in these:

[0034] FIG. 1a) shows a first exemplary embodiment of an elongated, approximately rectangular, cover;

[0035] FIG. 1b) shows a second exemplary embodiment of an also elongated cover;

[0036] FIG. 1c) shows a cover in an oval form;

[0037] FIGS. 2a), 2b) and 2c) show top views of covers according to the invention corresponding to FIGS. 1a), 1b) and 1c), each having an intermediate long stitching.

[0038] Dimensions are given in millimetres in all figures.

[0039] Thus, a cover la according to FIG. 1a) is, for instance, rectangular and presents a length of approx. 60 to 110 millimetres (mm). The narrow side has a width of 40 to 85 mm, the covering being rounded at its four corners 2. The dimensions may change depending on a woman's height. The cover extends over the vulva, the vagina and the female urethra when it is being used. The length of the cover may be larger, particularly in the case that covering the anus is also desired; in this case, it can be of about 200 mm.

[0040] The cover 1b according to FIG. 1b) presents longitudinal tapering ends 3 on the longitudinal sides, beginning from the rounded corners 2, in order to ensure an anatomically comfortable fit. Dimensions are otherwise similar to those in FIG. 1a).

[0041] The cover 1c (according to FIG. 1c) is oval, with a length of 60 to 70 mm and a width of 40 to 50 mm.

[0042] Covers 1a, 1b and 1c correspond in their dimensions to covers 1a, 1b and 1c respectively, wherein respectively an intermediate stitching is provided in the longitudinal direction of the cover, for example, a topstitch 4 or the like, which begins respectively at about 10 to 20 mm from the upper or the lower edge of the cover. The cover may be hereby folded in this area in order to reach a close contact, also an interlabial contact at the vulva of the woman.