US 12,472,092 B2
Flexible cone-shaped intra-vaginal support device
Allison Conti, Edmond, OK (US)
Assigned to WATKINS-CONTI PRODUCTS, INC., Edmond, OK (US)
Filed by WATKINS-CONTI PRODUCTS, INC., Edmond, OK (US)
Filed on Nov. 19, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/531,264.
Application 17/531,264 is a continuation of application No. 16/224,566, filed on Dec. 18, 2018, granted, now 11,219,548.
Application 16/224,566 is a continuation of application No. 15/242,105, filed on Aug. 19, 2016, granted, now 10,188,545, issued on Jan. 29, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/283,092, filed on Aug. 20, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2022/0071800 A1, Mar. 10, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61F 6/12 (2006.01)
CPC A61F 6/12 (2013.01) [A61F 2230/0067 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for managing, improving, or preventing pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, or both pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence, the method comprising:
obtaining a vaginal insert device comprising a cone shaped body and a lower removal portion, the cone shaped body comprising an upper portion having an upper open end, a lower end having an opening, and an interior, the upper portion extending from the upper open end to the lower end, wherein the cone shaped body includes (i) a rim that surrounds and extends from an exterior surface of the cone shaped body at the upper open end of the upper portion, and (ii) a plurality of ridges that surrounds and extends from the exterior surface of the cone shaped body, with each ridge of the plurality of ridges being spaced apart from an adjacent ridge of the plurality of ridges between the rim and the lower end;
collapsing the cone shaped body of the vaginal insert device into a compact shape;
inserting the vaginal insert device, with the cone shaped body in the compact shape, into a vagina;
positioning the vaginal insert device adjacent a vaginal wall; and
releasing the vaginal insert device to allow for the cone shaped body to shift from the compact shape and to attempt to return to an original shape;
wherein the vaginal insert device is configured to apply localized pressure to the urethral sphincter at the bladder neck and to directly support a pelvic organ to manage, improve, or prevent pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence, while the vaginal insert device is in the vagina, wherein the rim and the plurality of ridges are configured to hold the vaginal insert device securely in place in the vagina and apply pressure to the pelvic organ or support the pelvic organ;
wherein the vaginal insert device is configured to equalize air pressure between the interior of the cone shaped body and an exterior of the cone shaped body, while the vaginal insert device is in the vagina; and
wherein the opening of the lower end of the upper portion of the cone shaped body comprises a ventilation opening at a lower end apex for equalizing the air pressure.