Feminine Hygienic Pad

Abstract

A feminine hygienic pad having a configuration for locating the same in the area of the female urethral meatus for absorbing urine and the like, as an incident to stress incontinence, together with dimensional parameters which may be of an order to locate the pad in the area of the vaginal orifice for absorbing vaginal secretions or discharges; or, to extend such pad so as to receive and absorb discharges from both the meatus and the vaginal orifice.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Stress incontinence, involving the loss of urine upon sneezing, laughing, jumping, running and other activities, is a common phenomenonin women. Although the urinary exudation may be in small amounts, it may be hygienically and emotionally distressing. This disorder becomes more common with an increasing number of pregnancies.

Thus, the loss of even small amounts of urine from the urethral meatus may give rise to a pungent and abhorrent odor, accompanied by a feeling of wetness. In addition to a condition of tissue laxity surrounding the urethra and with a relatively short urethra in some women, many diseases may lead to stress incontinence. Urethritis, cystitis, venereal diseases, pelvic inflammatory conditions, diabetes mellitus, neurological disorders affecting the bladder, and rectal or vaginal surgery, in many instances may give rise to a condition of stress incontinence.

Aside from stress incontinence, other exudations may be encountered. These may include vaginal secretions, secretions derived from Skene's and Bartholin's glands, from the sweat glands of the vulva, and the like. Such secretions and exudations may mix to produce disagreeable odors and may be accompanied by a feeling of wetness. This phenomenon becomes more pronounced in the case of a woman having a vaginal discharge due to infection, venereal disease, post-surgery, post-pregnancy, and for some time following menstruation.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide an improved absorbent pad construction, particularly adapted to be located in opposed relation to the urethral meatus of women, to receive and absorb urine discharges due to stress incontinence, as well as other exudations, secretions, discharges and the like emanating from the adjacent physiological areas.

A further object of this invention is to provide an absorbent pad of the character described, which is adapted to be inserted between the labia majora so as to be readily retained in place without the need for auxiliary retaining means; the pad being adapted to receive and absorb limited amounts of urine, exudates, secretions and discharges.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved absorbent pad which lends itself to a ready association with the female perineal pelvic area; does not disturb the normal anatomy of the indicated area; is non-irritating; is hypoallergenic; is readily inserted and easily removed; and is emotionally acceptable by women.

It is understood that the pads of the instant invention are not catamenial devices, since they are not intended to receive a bloody menstrual discharge. Also, such pads are not adapted to receive severe and copious discharges of urine due to general incontinence, as distinguished from stress incontinence; or substantial vaginal discharges.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of the feminine urethral and adjacent areas, showing a pad of the instant invention being inserted in place;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1, showing another form of the pad adapted to cover mainly the vaginal orifice;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1, showing a pad adapted to cover both the urethral meatus and the vaginal orifice;

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the pad in place;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5--5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a pad embodying the invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 7--7 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view showing another form of the pad;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of one form of the pad;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of another form of the pad;

FIG. 11 is a transverse sectional view showing a modified form of the pad.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIG. 1, the urethra is indicated at 11, extending from the bladder 12. The uterus is indicated at 13 and the labia majora are shown at 14. The pad 10, of the instant invention, is shown in place, received between the labia majora 14 and thus covering the urethral meatus which is the external orifice of urethra 11 and from which urine is ejected.

The pad 10 is formed of soft, flexible, non-shredding highly absorbent, but non-swelling material, such as thin cellulose sheeting in roll form. The pad 10 exhibits a cross section made up of an anterior portion 15 which merges with a posterior portion 16; the former being of reduced dimensions as compared to that of the latter. Thus, the portions 15, 16 are of arcuate, part circular section; the portion 15 having a smaller radial dimension then that of portion 16.

It has been found that pad 10, readily lends itself to insertion between the labia majora 14; and further, the pad is easily retained therebetween without the need for auxiliary retaining means. Thus, a light pressure on the posterior portion 16 will cause the smaller anterior portion 15 to force the labia majora to open slightly and allow pad 10 to take its proper position, overlying the meatus of urethra 11. The radii of the respective portions 15, 16 are relatively small, allowing the vulva to be completely enclosing in respect to pad 10.

As shown in FIG. 7, an alternative embodiment of the invention takes the form of pad 10A. Here the merged portions 15A, 16A are of part elliptical cross section; the portion 16A having major and minor axes somewhat larger then those of portion 15A. Pad 10A also lends itself to easy insertion and removal.

The pad 10B, shown in FIG. 8, is of elliptical cross section. Here the major axis of the cross section extends between the anterior portion 15B and posterior portion 16B; thus indicating the mode of insertion.

While the pad 10 may be of uniform cross section throughout its length, as indicated in FIG. 9; the pad 10 provided with a trailing string 17 to allow for easy removal thereof; may also have a tapered form, as shown in FIG. 10. Here the forward end portion 18 includes a part spherical head surface 19, which tapers rearwardly to the end portion 20. The string 17 extends from end 20, preferably; although it may also extend from the forward end surface 19.

It is understood that pads 10A and 10B, may also be of either uniform cross section along the length thereof; or tapered from end to end, as indicated in FIG. 10. Thus, with the tapered forms of the pads, the tapered end portion thereof fits near the anterior portion of the vulva near the clitoris, while the larger body portion thereof fits in the larger mid-and posterior portions of the vulva, to thereby more closely conform to the anatomical areas involved.

The pads 10, 10A and 10B may be dimensioned in respect to their length, to be particularly adapted to cover the urethral meatus primarily, as shown in FIG. 1; to cover the vaginal orifice 21, as shown in FIG. 2; or to cover the meatus of the urethra 11 and vaginal orifice 21, as shown in FIG. 3.

The pads 10, 10A, or 10B may be impregnated with selected scents, medications, or combinations thereof to thereby mask the odor of the absorbed urine or other discharges, thereby providing a soothing and pleasant odor to the general physiological areas concerned.

Further, pad 10 may be modified to carry and dispense lubricants alone or in admixture with deodorants, medications and the like. To this end, as shown in FIG. 11, pad 10 may be formed with a V shaped groove 22 extending along the top of pad portion 15. Such groove 22 is prefilled with lubricant 23 or other carrier for admixed medications, deodorants and the like. It will be apparent that in inserting such pad 10 in place, the normal transverse constriction of the pad portion 15 will act to dispense material 23 which has a suitable viscosity and is thus applied to the physiological areas concerned.

It has been found that the curvilinear surface portions and the non-uniform cross sections of the several pads shown herein, is highly effective in locating the same between the labia majora and retaining the same in place. Further, there is no tendency to force the labia majora apart or to exert undue pressure against their medial wall portions.

It is understood that the pads 10, 10A, 10B may be molded or otherwise formed from the cellulosic base material, to the desired cross sectional and longitudinal configurations, by apparatus and procedures known in the art.

Claims

I claim:

1. An elongated absorbent pad for receiving small amounts of urine discharged due to stress incontinence and other vaginal and urethral discharges, said pad being devoid of corners and flat surfaces intermediate its ends and having two superposed portions, each being curvilinear in cross section with the upper portion having a radius smaller than the radius of the lower portion, said pad being adapted to be located between the labia majora and labia minora, the smaller radius portion facilitating insertion between the labia and retention in the interlabia space.

2. A pad as defined in claim 1 wherein each of the superposed portions is of part elliptical cross section, the major axis of the upper portion being less than that of the lower portion.

3. A pad as in claim 1, wherein said pad cross section is uniform along the length thereof.

4. A pad as in claim 1, wherein said pad is formed with a groove in a surface portion of the upper portion thereof, said groove extending along the length of said pad, and a viscous material disposed in said groove for dispensing therefrom upon transverse constriction of said pad during the insertion thereof between the labia majora.

5. A pad as in claim 4, wherein said groove has a transverse dimension which decreases from the outer surface of said pad inwardly thereof.