WO2002078583A1

WO2002078583A1 - Prophylactic device for the prevention of sexually-transmitted diseases

Info

Publication number: WO2002078583A1
Application number: PCT/BE2002/000048
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul Fernand Fortuné MOLLET
Original assignee: Pole Position E U R L; Mollet Paul Fernand Fortune
Priority date: 2001-03-29
Filing date: 2002-03-29
Publication date: 2002-10-10

Abstract

The invention relates to a prophylactic device for the prevention of sexually-transmitted diseases comprising a protective piece that forms an apron (1) which is sized so as to cover the user's (11) pubic area (13). Said protective piece is provided with a bead (2) at the rim consituting a gripping edge for each user (11, 12). A stretchable zone (4) extends from said edge and in turn surrounds a slack zone (5). The slack zone forms the element that is intended to receive the user's (12) organ to be isolated (14). Said slack zone is provided with a narrower end zone (3) that forms a pouch that is intended to receive the secretions from the organ (14). The purpose of the invention is to prevent contamination by sexually-transmitted diseases. The application of said inventive device is simplified, while combining pleasure and safety.

Description

PROPHYLACTIC DEVICE FOR THE PREVENTION OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a prophylactic device for intimate intercourse, more particularly to an external condom intended in particular to prevent sexually transmitted diseases.

Technological background

Most of the condoms currently in existence, when it comes to external condoms, are condoms to be applied to the sex of the man before the so-called risky sexual intercourse. The disadvantage for many users is a loss of pleasure resulting from the application of this type of condom which can have the effect of causing a loss of erection in men. This loss of effect is caused by the tension exerted by this type of condom on the male sexual organ, on the one hand, and by its thickness causing a loss of sensation in the user, both active and passive, d 'somewhere else.

State of the art Condoms of this type are described in particular in European patent n ° EP-A-0 965 314 or also in international application WO 9853773.

This inconvenience of use has an equally undesirable effect from the point of view of public health residing in the fact that the users abandon at least sporadically the wearing of the condom. The the consequence is disastrous because a single risky contact is enough to cause contamination in the case of most sexually transmitted diseases. It is therefore essential to encourage the widest possible audience to consistently use ₅ condoms in any sexual kind of relationship.

Certainly, there are also other condoms to apply to women, but they are generally of the internal type. This leads to a more laborious set-up and also diverts a number of users from the vital use of protective means in these circumstances.

The device taught in EP-A-0 809 990 shows one or more attached fasteners which are necessary to attach the device to the user. This has the disadvantage of being inconvenient for the user, which may still have the consequence that the protection device will not be used. In addition, the effectiveness of the fixation does not seem certain.

The same is true with the device disclosed in US-A-5,016,649. In addition, this device only allows oral use due to its elongated structure specially adapted for this purpose and not muftipie use of this type of device.

25. US-A-5,318,043 presents a more complex multiple-flange structure, including from the point of view of application to the face of the user. The labial parts are enclosed, which may dissuade the user even more from using the condom.

30

Purpose of the invention

The present invention aims to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a condom which is extremely simple to use, which presents practically no constraints and which is very easy to

35 ^' set up. Statement of the invention

To this end, there is proposed according to the present invention a condom as defined in the main claim. Thus, the condom according to the invention comprises a semi-rigid rim of substantially circular appearance from which extends a flexible part which is remarkable in that the rim defines a substantially circular access opening having a markedly greater diameter. to the usual dimensions of known condoms.

The base of the condom constituted by the abovementioned rim serves as a gripping means for the user who grasps it by said base, engages the member to be isolated in the condom and applies it to the body orifice to be protected before the operations which may present a risk of contamination, while keeping the condom in the same place on the body for the duration of said risky operations.

Thus, the condom according to the invention provides a very great ease of use which is in no way binding on the users. Indeed, it is enough to put the condom externally, so that it can be removed easily while being able to be repositioned just as quickly and easily. This offers the immense advantage that during the whole duration of the operations, no partner is exposed to the risks of contamination, provided that he or she respects some elementary and non-restrictive precautionary measures.

This eliminates the psychological barrier that some men experience when using condoms. This obstacle is due in large part to the cumbersome procedure of putting on the traditional condom, which leads to a loss of effect or stimulation in some people. The placement procedure interrupts the momentum and breaks the spontaneity of gestures during romantic acts and can therefore cause a sudden loss of libido. This procedure is to unroll the condom traditional male on male genital organ, ^'which must be in a state, which can be a technical problem. In addition, partners can have extended lovemaking. However, after going through a phase where sexual tension has subsided, the traditional condom can no longer be reused under penalty of presenting a risk of contamination. In order to avoid this risk, it is imperative to repeat the procedure as described above, which is very often overlooked by the partners, either out of weariness or for purely practical reasons, for example because they only had 'a condom on them.

The consequence of this situation is catastrophic. It is the main cause of the non-use of traditional condoms. This inevitably leads to a high number of potentially very dangerous situations from the point of view of sexual contamination. This is how we are witnessing a significant extension of the AIDS epidemic around the world, and even a significant upsurge in industrialized countries, despite all the prevention and awareness campaigns.

In addition, thanks to the absence of manipulation of the condom, in particular as regards the course of the latter when it is positioned on the member to be isolated, any risk of damaging the condom is eliminated. Thus, since the manipulation of the condom is limited to gripping it by its gripping edge, the user does not risk scratching the wall of the condom by his nails, for example, unlike known devices. This is an important safety factor because accidental tears of condoms at the time of the act are very often caused by micro-cracks produced by nail scratches of which the user is not aware.

This even reduces the critical safety threshold for the thickness of the condom wall. Thanks to this possibility of reduced thickness of the wall obtained according to the invention, the sensitivity is improved for each partner, and therefore the pleasure is considerably enhanced. This almost total absence of constraint will therefore encourage users to use the condom according to the invention systematically, which will advantageously have the consequence that the risks of contamination will be eliminated thanks to the condom according to the present invention.

Thus, the objective of the present invention consisting mainly in preventing contamination by various diseases such as AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases is fully achieved, in particular thanks to its application which is considerably simplified while combining and preserving pleasure and security .

Other advantages and particularities of the device according to the present invention will emerge from the description given below of some exemplary and preferred embodiments of the aforementioned condom illustrated with the aid of the appended drawings.

Brief description of the drawings Figures 1 and 2 show a perspective and side view respectively of a device according to the invention.

Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the device according to the invention.

Figures 4 to 8 illustrate different variants of application of the device according to the invention.

Description Figure 1 shows a device for protecting from sexually transmitted diseases consisting of a condom comprising a covering part 4 of a body region 13 surrounding an orifice 15, which is in communication with the interior of the human body thus constituting a pathway preferential penetration of certain sexually transmitted diseases. Said covering part 4 is bordered by a bead 2 which constitutes a grip edge for the condom for the user 1 1, 12. The covering part 4 can be stretched from said bead 2, preferably semi-rigid, on the region of the body to be protected. This part 4 surrounds a non-tensioned zone 5 constituting a receiving element which is intended to receive the member to be isolated 14 from the user 12. The latter 5 has a narrowed end zone 3 constituting a reservoir. The end zone 3 is arranged in a substantially central manner, that is to say on the axis l of the device as illustrated in FIG. 2. It can receive the end of the organs to be isolated 14 or the secretions of those -this .

The bead 2 can advantageously be made of the same material as the other parts of the condom. It is preferably made from a natural material, such as latex powder for example. Thus, the bead 2 may have come in one piece with the other parts of the condom.

However, the bead 2 can also be made of a synthetic material with increased rigidity. In this case, the bead 2 can advantageously be heat welded to zone 4 of the condom.

The bead 2 advantageously has a certain elasticity giving it a spring effect facilitating its use, in particular when it is removed from the packaging as indicated below.

The relative dimensions of the different parts of the device between them is clearly visible in the side view of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the condom in which between the aforementioned receiving element 5 which can serve as a pocket for holding the glans, on the one hand, and the aforementioned covering part 4 forming a funnel for protection against contamination , on the other hand, is arranged a retaining sheath 6 specially intended for the penis. This part 6 is advantageously narrowed relative to the parts 4, 5 to which it is attached, more particularly in relation to the glans holding pocket 5, so as to prevent involuntary withdrawal of the penis outside the condom. The narrowed part 6 forming a penis retaining sheath with a non-return effect proves to be particularly effective in this regard. Thus, the multifunction condom illustrated in Figure 3 is particularly suitable when the organ to be isolated is constituted by a penis, which is precisely the organ potentially the most contaminating.

The semi-rigid bead 2 surrounding the penetration opening 7 of the penis is only shown schematically here.

Figure 4 shows the packaging in which the condom is folded several times on itself in order to present a bulk substantially identical to that of traditional condoms with dimensions however smaller. Thanks to the spring effect of the rim 2, the condom deploys as soon as it is removed from its packaging so that it is directly ready for use.

Figures 5 and 5a show the condom as it is applied to a body orifice, in this case the mouth, so as to completely isolate the contact areas which may present any risk of contamination. FIG. 5b illustrates the situation even better from another angle, clearly showing the member 14 to be completely isolated, in this case the tongue, in order to eliminate any risk of contamination. Security is considerably enhanced thanks to the presence of a large security perimeter constituted by zone 4 extending from the bead 2 which is held on the body by hand.

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative use in which the active member 14 to be isolated consists of one or more fingers.

FIG. 7 shows the convenience of using the condom 1 which it suffices to put in place by placing it and maintaining it on the ^' area to be covered which is constituted by the pubic region 13. However, the condom 1 can also be used conventionally, ie to isolate the genital organ ^'not shown, through suitable dimensioning of the area 5 which substantially corresponds to the diameter of conventional condoms. In this regard, it suffices to engage the condom by a simple dry movement on the active member, thus sparing any laborious procedure of winding necessary in the case of traditional condoms.

The result is a multi-use condom offering every guarantee of safety while preserving pleasure in use.

The method of using the device as described above consists of the following steps: it is removed from an airtight package 6 in which the device 1 is folded several times on its own and unfolds by the spring effect of the gripping bead 2, so as to be ready directly for positioning by the user 1 1 or 12, the device 1 is then applied to the member to be isolated 1 3 and positioned on the body area to be protected 14 while by placing the reservoir inside the orifice 15 located in said zone to be protected 14. After the sexual act, the member 13 is removed from said reservoir 5 while holding the device 1 in place, the device being able to be then removed from said area 14.

The device 1 can be applied first to the member to be isolated 13 before being positioned on the body area to be protected 14 or, conversely, the device 1 is first positioned on the body area to be protected 14 before being be applied to the organ to be isolated 13.

For example, the semi-rigid rim of the condom shown in Figures 1 and 2 is made in an annular shape of at least 12 cm in diameter. The receiving parts 5 and 3 have a depth and a diameter which are provided to allow users to slide the tongue there, or, if necessary, any other potentially contaminating organ. So the proposed dimensions here are about 2 cm for the depth and about 4 cm for the diameter.

The flange 2 by ring function implementation and gripping both is advantageously made of a natural material like latex ^®. This part is advantageously lubricated with silicone, which is preferably non-spermicidal. In addition, it will advantageously be colored and / or flavored.

The condoms offered are electronically tested to comply with the required European standard.

Thus, the proposed condom is a multifunctional prophylactic device for intimate intercourse, and more particularly an external condom essentially aimed at preventing sexually transmitted diseases, the main advantages of which are summarized below.

It has a multifunctional character making it most effective in all circumstances and for any use, whether for a sexual intercourse type involving the sexual organs of each partner or for fellatio for example.

The condom is no longer likely to remain involuntarily inside the body orifice after use because it is external. It prevents contamination during penetration and withdrawal thanks to its semi-rigid rim.

It is not likely to be pushed inside the aforementioned body orifice given its dimensions.

It is provided with two receiving parts, the first being intended for the maintenance of the glans favoring the maintenance of the condom on the penis, the second for the recovery of sperm.

It has an additional protective sheath which allows the condom to be held in place, without the risk of losing it when one of the partners withdraws from the other. It supports the use of fingers as well as the mouth while having the same functions as a traditional condom. The external flap 4 of the condom allows it to be removed after use without contaminating the hands, thus further reducing the risks of contamination.

Its installation is simplified allowing maximum protection.

All of these advantages each greatly contribute to reducing the risks of contamination.

In addition, it makes no noise at the time of use because it is made of natural ^® latex. - Its lubricant is eliminated with water.

, Its different tastes are pleasant.

Claims

1 .- Prophylactic device for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases comprising a protective piece forming an apron (1), which is dimensioned to cover a region of the body (13) of a first user (1 1) and which is bordered by a bead (2), which constitutes a gripping edge for either user (1 1, 12) and from which extends a first zone (4) which can be stretched so as to constitute a safety perimeter and surrounding itself (4), in its middle portion, a second non-tensioned zone (5) constituting an element for receiving an organ to be isolated (14) from the other user (12) and having an end zone narrowed (3) constituting a reduced tank, which is arranged substantially centrally (£).

2.- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the aforementioned bead (2) is semi-rigid, so as to allow a direct manual grip for manual installation and maintenance around the region to be protected (13).

3.- Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the aforementioned bead (2) has an elasticity giving it a spring effect facilitating its use.

4.- Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the aforementioned bead (2) has an annular shape.

5.- Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the aforementioned bead (2) has a substantially homogeneous structure.

6.- Device according to one of the preceding sells ications, characterized in that the aforementioned bead (2) consists of the same material as the other parts (3,4, 5) of the device, preferably a natural material, preferably from a latex powder ^® .

7.- Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the aforementioned bead (2) came in one piece with the other parts (3,4,5) of the device.

8.- Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the aforementioned bead (2) is made of a synthetic material with reinforced rigidity.

9.- Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the aforementioned bead (2) is welded to the aforementioned zone (4).

1 0.- Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thickness of the wall of the receiving area (3) of the member to be isolated is reduced so as to provide the user with a maximum sensation .

1 1 .- Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the diameter of the aforementioned bead (2) is significantly greater than the diameter of the inlet section (1 9) of the aforementioned reception area (3).

12.- Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the section between the overlap zone (4) and the receiving element (5) is substantially narrowed over a certain length, so as to form a sheath non-return (6) for the penis after its engagement in the condom.

13.- Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the aforementioned reception area (5) is dimensioned substantially according to the male genital organ, the inlet section (19) of said area (5) preferably being snap-applied thereon, so the condom is multifunctional.