US2324656A - Pessary - Google Patents

Description

y 1943- c. G. VINCENT v PESSARY Filed Sept. 3, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR (rmsfon 6f Vmce/rz BY ATTO RN E Y July 20, 1 943.

c. G. VINCENT 2,324,656

PESSARY Filed Sept. 3, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 00/25 for; G. l/mcenf BY ATTORNEY Patented July 20, 1943,

UNITED STATES PATENT orrics PESSARY Cranston G. Vincent, Kansas City, Mo.

Application September 3, 1940, Serial No. 355,127

4 Claims.

This invention relates to pessaries and more particularly to a pessary of self-adjusting character; the principal objects of the invention being to provide conveniently operable, relatively economical and highly efficient pessaries f the char acter noted.

Other objects of the invention are to provide for automatically sealing the pessaries in vaginal tracts and about cervices therein of varied size and conformation; to provide comfortable, safe and sanitary pessaries; and to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in pessaries of the character noted.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the present invention, I have provided improved details of structure, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of pertinent portions of the female anatomy showing .a pessary embodying this invention in diametrical section and in operative position relative thereto.

Fig. 2 is a detail perspective view of the pessary illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a diametrical section through the pessary illustrated in Fig. 2, size reduction adjustment thereof being indicated in dotted lines.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the pessary, parts thereof being broken away to illustrate a device for effecting adjustment of the pessary as to size.

Fig. 5 is a detail vertical sectional View of the pessary in partially formed condition preparatory to application of an adjusting device thereto.

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of an adjusting device applicable to the pessary in the condition shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. I is a diametrical section through a modified form of the present invention wherein the adjusting device shown in Fig. 6 is omitted.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a further modified form of this invention.

Fig. 9 is a diametrical section through the pessary shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a horizontal section through the pessary shown in Fig. 8 on the line Ill-l0, Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a detail horizontal section similar to Fig. 10 showing size 'reduction adjustment thereof.

Fig. 12 is a detail perspective view of an adjust-ing device applicable to the pessary shown in Figs. 8 to 11, inclusive.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

I, Fig. 2, designates a pessary embodying features of my invention, the preferred form of pessary preferably consisting of a thin resilient diaphragm 2 of rubber or the like, of dome-like shape and hollow structure and having a closed end 3 and an open end 4 defined by an annular edge 5 of the diaphragm.

The diaphragm is arranged and intended for insertion into a vaginal tract 6, Fig. 1, and for lodgrnent in the fornix 1 in surrounding protective covering relation to the cervix B.

In order to hold the diaphragm in desired position, as shown in Fig. 1, relative to the cervix, the diaphragm is provided with a resilient, ad:- justing device, preferably at the open end thereof, that is designed to engage the vaginal walls adjacent the cervix and seal the cervix from the remainder of the vaginal tract.

In the preferred form of invention, shown in Figs. 1 to 6, a resilient annular skirt 9 extends from the open edge of the diaphragm laterally and rearwardly relative to the diaphragm.

The skirt 9 is preferably formed integrally with the diaphragm and is greater thickness than the diaphragm to impart relative ligidity'to the skirt.

Due to the variance in size and conformation of pertinent parts of different female anatomies, maker of pessaries have been obliged to provide the same in several sizes in order to effectively fit a particular subject.

In the present invention the skirt 9 flares laterally of the diaphragm a distance suflicient to sealingly engage the vaginal walls'of relatively large subjects, the resiliency of the skirt allowing the diaphragm to also sealingly engage the vaginal walls of relatively small subjects.

By this provision, the diameter of the diaphragm at the open end thereof may be made as small as approximately fifty millimeters, for example, and the diameter of the skirt at its outer edge, when in expanded condition, may be made as large as approximately ninety-five millimeters, the range between which diameters provides a comfortable fit for a great majority of cases.

In order to facilitate engagement of the sealing skirt 9 with the vaginal walls, a ring l0, Fig. 6, having resilient spaced fingers Ii, is mounted in. the diaphragm at the open end and in the skirt thereof.

It is desirable that the fingers I! be loosely arranged relative to the skirt 9 in. order to prevent binding and resistance to adjustment of the skirt. This desideratum may be accomplished by mounting the diaphragm on a form able manner between the fingers, if desired, in

order to provide individual recesses or pockets for the fingers respectively.

In using a pessary constructed as described, the diaphragm and skirt are compressed diametrically. The pessary is then introduced into the vaginal tract, with the open end of the diaphragm facing the cervix, and moved into the fornix in covering relation to the cervix. Relaxation of compression on the skirt and diaphragm allows the pessary to expand. The flaring skirt is thus allowed to engage the vaginal walls and seal the cervix from other portions of the vaginal tract.

The pessary may be conveniently removed by grasping an edge of the sealing skirt.

The form of invention shown in Fig. 7 is similar to the form of invention shown in Figs. 1 to 4, with the exception that the resilient ring and fingers are omitted from this structure. A diaphragm l having a skirt I5 is provided which generally correspond in size, material, shape, etc. to the diaphragm 2 and skirt 9 of the preferred form of invention. The diaphragm i5 and skirt l6 may in this instance be molded, preferably with the thickness of the skirt approximating double that of the diaphragm in order to increase rigidity of the skirt yet provide resiliency.

The purpose, functions and use of the pessary shown in Fig. '7 are similar to those described in connection with the preferred form of invention.

A further modified form of invention is shown in Figs. 8 to 12 wherein a pessary is provided consisting of a dome-like, hollow, preferably thin rubber diaphragm having an open end 2|, the defining edges 22 of which surround a resilient, adjusting device 23, Fig. 12. The device 23 preferably consists of a flexible wire annularly shaped and having separable ends 24 and 25. The end 25 i preferably provided with a guide element 26 and the end 24 is preferably provided with a stop element 21 engageable with the guide element to limit expansion of the wire.

The normal expanded condition of the pessary is shown in Figs. 8 to 10, and in this condition the diameter of the annular wire may be approximately ninety-five millimeters, for example. The wire is loosely mounted in the preferably outwardly and backwardly rolled defining edges 22 of the diaphragm and is compressible or contractible, as shown in Fig. 11, down to smaller sizes, for example approximately fifty (50) millimeters in diameter. This provision allows manufacturers to provide adjustable single size pessaries for physicians who may fit the same in the proper practice of their profession.

The purpose, functions and operation or manner of use of this form of invention is substantially similar to the corresponding features of the other forms of invention.

It is apparent, therefore, that I have provided a conveniently operable, relatively economical and highly efficient, self-adjusting pessary, that is admirably suited for the purpose for which it is intended.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a pessary of the character described, a resilient dome-shaped hollow diaphragm having an open end, a resilient skirt on the diaphragm at the open end thereof, and a ring in the skirt having contractible normally outwardly extending fingers thereon.

2. In a pessary of the character described, a resilient dome-shaped hollow diaphragm having an open end, a resilient skirt on the diaphragm at the open end thereof, and a. ring in the skirt having contractible normally outwardly extending fingers thereon, said fingers being loosely mounted in said skirt for preventing binding and resistance to adjustment of said skirt.

3. A pessary including a resilient dome-shaped diaphragm adapted to extend over a cervix and having an annular outwardly extending skirt provided with an annular pocket and a contractible member freely and movably retained in said pocket to effect adjustment of said skirt to a fornix of a vaginal tract.

4. A pessary including a resilient dome-shaped hollow diaphragm having open end, a resilient skirt on the diaphragm at the open end thereof, a resilient member retain d in the skirt adjacent the open end of the diaphragm, and contractible normally outwardly extending fingers on the member and in the skirt for effecting adjustment of said skirt relative to a fornix in a vaginal tract.

CRANSTON G. VINCENT.

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