Abstract:
A method for treating urinary incontinence includes the steps of inserting into the woman's vagina a first disposable device, removing the first disposable device, and inserting a second disposable device substantially identical to the first disposable device. The disposable devices have a working portion with opposed working surfaces to provide support to an associated urinary system and an anchoring portion to maintain the disposable device in place during use. The anchoring portion has at least one member extending beyond at least one end of the working portion
Abstract:
An intravaginal device has a working portion (e.g., intravaginal urinary incontinence device suppository, tampon) and an anchoring portion comprising at least one member extending beyond at least one end of the working portion to maintain the working portion in place during use.
Abstract:
An electric-powered device includes (1) a skin-contactable surface and (2) a body having a water-resistant switch assembly. Preferably, the electric-powered device is useful in skin treatment and delivers mechanical forces on the skin. The switch assembly preferably includes, a substantially planar mount having an aperture, a rotatable shaft extending through the aperture, and a seal lining the aperture to restrict water movement along the shaft. In another aspect a water-resistant switch assembly includes first translatable element adapted for substantially planar motion in a first plane; a rotatable shaft, engageable with said first translatable element; a second translatable element adapted for substantially planar motion in a second plane, wherein said second translatable element is engageable with said rotatable shaft; a substantially planar mount having a through-hole and defining a third plane, wherein said rotatable shaft pierces said through hole and said third plane, wherein said third plane is substantially between said second plane and said third plane; and a seal surrounding said through-hole for rendering said through hole water-resistant.
Abstract:
An applicator for delivering an insertable device into a body cavity includes (a) a barrel having an insertion end and an opposed gripper end, (b) a lubricant carrier operatively linked to the barrel (c) a fluid lubricant in fluid communication with lubricant carrier, and optionally (d) a plunger arranged and configured to be moveable within the barrel to expel the insertable device from the barrel and into a body cavity. The barrel is arranged and configured to contain the insertable device. The applicator may be included in a packaged applicator system.
Abstract:
The invention features an apparatus for delivering mechanical energy to skin, wherein the apparatus includes: (a) a user output assembly, the user output assembly including: (i) a skin-contactable element having a skin contactable surface; (ii) a motor; and (iii) a transfer member for transferring energy from the motor to the skin-contactable element a transfer member for transferring energy from the motor to the skin-contactable element; (b) a receiving element adapted to receive user-attribute data that is provided to the apparatus by a user; and (c) a controller coupled to the receiving element and the user output assembly, wherein the controller provides action instructions to the user output assembly based upon the user-attribute data received by the receiving element.
Abstract:
An applicator includes a barrel having an outer surface, an insertion end, and an opposed gripper end; a fluid lubricant disposed in fluid communication with a portion of the outer surface of the barrel; and optionally a plunger arranged and configured to be moveable within the barrel to expel an insertable device from the barrel and into a body cavity. Methods of delivering an insertable device into a body cavity may include the steps of moving a plunger into an insertion member to dispense fluid lubricant to the outer surface of the insertion member; the step of inserting an insertion member portion having encapsulated lubricant on an outer surface thereof into a body cavity thereby rupturing the capsule; and/or the steps of moving a plunger into an insertion member, rupturing a reservoir containing fluid lubricant, moving the fluid lubricant toward the outer surface of the insertion member, and inserting the insertion member into the body cavity.
Abstract:
The invention features a method of administering a skin benefit agent to an expanse of skin, wherein the method includes: (a) contacting the expanse of skin with a skin benefit agent; and (b) contacting the skin benefit agent on the expanse of skin with an apparatus having a output power to the skin of greater than about 0.2 W, the apparatus including: a skin-contactable element having a skin-contactable surface; a motor; and a transfer member for transferring mechanical energy from the motor to the skin-contactable element in order to provide periodic motion to the skin-contactable surface; wherein the skin-contactable surface contacts the skin-benefit agent.
Abstract:
The invention features an apparatus for delivering mechanical energy to an expanse of skin, wherein the apparatus includes: (a) a skin-contactable element having a skin contactable surface; (b) a motor; and (c) a transfer member for transferring mechanical energy from the motor to the skin-contactable element in order to provide periodic motion to the skin-contactable surface; wherein the skin-contactable element includes a signaling marker that is adapted to provide a change in a sensation that is discernable to a user after a period of time of operation of the apparatus, and wherein the sensation is selected from a group consisting of tactile, olfactory, thermal, visual, auditory, and combinations thereof.
Abstract:
The invention features an apparatus for delivering mechanical energy to an expanse of skin, wherein the apparatus includes: (a) a user output assembly, the user output assembly including: (i) a skin-contactable element having a skin contactable surface; (ii) a motor; and (iii) a transfer member for transferring energy from the motor to the skin-contactable element a transfer member for transferring energy from the motor to the skin-contactable element; (b) a sensing element in communication with the skin-contactable surface, wherein the sensing element is capable of sensing a state of at least one property associated with the expanse of skin, wherein the at least one property is selected from the group consisting of a thermal property, a chemical property, an optical property, and combinations thereof; and (c) a controller coupled to the sensing element and to the user output assembly, wherein the controller provides action instructions to the user output assembly based upon one or more of the at least one property sensed by the sensing element.
Abstract:
A method and system for applying an adhesive/superabsorbent mixture to a substrate, the method and system being adapted for heating an adhesive and superabsorbent polymer mixture to a first temperature at a first pressure, the first temperature being less than the boiling temperature of said mixture at the first pressure; heating the mixture through a heat exchanger at a second pressure, the second pressure being higher than the first pressure, the heat exchanger being adapted to raise the temperature of the mixture to a second temperature that is higher than the first temperature; and selectively applying the mixture to a substrate.