WO2013143010A1

WO2013143010A1 - Tampon assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2013143010A1
Application number: PCT/CH2013/000041
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vincent Vaucher; Marcel Aeschlimann; Salome Wehren
Original assignee: Marlafin AG
Current assignee: Marlafin AG
Priority date: 2012-03-29
Filing date: 2013-03-14
Publication date: 2013-10-03
Anticipated expiration: 2014-09-29
Also published as: AR090547A1; EP2644175A1

Description

Tampon Assembly

The invention relates to a tampon assembly comprising a vibration generator arranged in a tampon as well as an energy source connected to the vibration generator by a connecting element and intended to be arranged outside the body of the user of the tampon assembly.

Vibrating tampon assemblies are known, e.g. from the

reference EP1231885B1. This arrangement serves for relieving menstrual pain and comprises an electrically operated vibration generator arranged in a tampon and an energy supply unit that is connected to the tampon by a cable and intended to be worn outside the body and in which an energy source and an operating element in the form of a push button is arranged that controls the electric connection between the electric energy source and the vibration generator.

Although the voltage used for the operation of the vibration generator is relatively low, e.g. 1.35 volt, and all electric components are electrically insulated, many

potential users are reluctant to lead electric current into their body.

On the background of this prior art, it is the object of the invention to provide a tampon assembly having a vibration generator arranged in a tampon where no electric current is lead to the tampon.

According to the invention, this object is achieved in that the connecting element is designed as a flexible element for the transmission of mechanical energy. In particular, this solution offers the advantage that the vibrating tampon is operated by means of purely mechanical energy and in particular that no electric current is led into the body of the user of the tampon assembly.

According to one embodiment, at its end facing away from the tampon, the flexible element is operatively connected to a movement generator. The latter is advantageously

accommodated with the energy source in a housing, preferably a common one.

According to a further embodiment, the flexible element is designed as a flexible shaft for the transmission of a torque. Flexible shafts are well suitable for the

transmission of purely mechanical energy and are

commercially available in small diameters that make them suitable for an application in tampon assemblies according to the invention. According to a further embodiment the flexible element is composed of a sheath and of a core element that is rotatable therein. In principle, flexible shafts may also serve their purpose without a sheath, but for the purposes of the present application it is advantageous to use a sheath for the protection of the surroundings.

According to a further embodiment, the movement generator is designed such that in operation a driving part connected thereto performs a rotating movement. This rotating movement may be uniform and unidirectional or alternatively

oscillating, i.e. an alternating movement by an angular distance in one direction and subsequently in the opposite direction. These measures provide increased freedom in the design of the vibration generator arranged in the tampon. According to another embodiment the flexible element is designed as a Bowden cable for the transmission of tensile and/or pressure forces. Elements of this kind are also available in suitable dimensions for use in a tampon

assembly. The application of such an element may also be advantageous with regard to the design of the vibration generator, inter alia, as it allows an extremely simple construction of the latter.

According to a further embodiment the movement generator is designed such that in operation, a driving part connected thereto performs an oscillating translational movement. Ultimately, according to another embodiment, the flexible element is removably connected to the vibration generator and/or to the movement generator by a coupling. This measure allows reusing the components of the tampon assembly that are worn outside the body as well as the flexible element, as the case may be, whereas the tampon is disposed of after a single use.

According to an embodiment of the invention that

distinguishes itself by particularly favorable properties regarding the insertion and the removal of the tampon from a body orifice, the movement generator may be designed such that a driving part connected thereto performs a rotating and a translational movement. According to an advantageous further development of the invention the rotating and the translational movements are synchronously or asynchronously superposed on one another, the amplitudes and/or frequencies of the mutually superposed movements being different from or equal to each other in the case of oscillating movements.

According to a further advantageous variant of the invention the movement generator may be designed such that a driving part connected thereto is switchable between operations in which it performs a rotating and a translational movement, respectivel . According to a variant of the invention that is particularly suitable for the absorption of body fluids, the tampon surrounding the vibration generator is formed of an

absorbent material . According to an embodiment of the invention that

distinguishes itself by a particularly comfortable operation and offers good protection against the contamination of parts of the tampon assembly that are intended to be reused, the vibration generator may be surrounded, preferably completely surrounded by the tampon and the movement

generator that is operatively connected to the flexible shaft may be arranged completely outside the tampon. In this regard it should be noted, however, that sometimes it may also be advantageous if the vibration generator is only surrounded by the tampon sectionally. In order to prevent an involuntary separation of the tampon from the vibration generator the vibration generator may comprise at least one retaining element. This retaining element may e.g. be formed by at least one hook, at least one projection on the surface of a housing of the vibration generator, or at least one adhesive layer on the surface of a housing of the vibration generator or by a coating on a housing of the vibration generator that strongly adheres to the tampon, etc. The invention as well as further advantages thereof will be explained in more detail hereinafter with reference to a number of non- limiting exemplary embodiments that are illustrated in the drawings.

In a strongly schematic and simplified manner, the latter show :

Figure 1 a first embodiment of a tampon assembly; Figure 2 a second embodiment of a tampon assembly;

Figures 3 to 6 embodiments of a vibration generator of the tampon assemblies of Figure 1 and Figure 2 ;

Figures 7 to 9 further embodiments of a vibration

generator;

Figures 10 to 12 further embodiments of a vibration

generator;

Figures 13 to 14 embodiments of a coupling of the tampon assemblies of Figure 1 and Figure 2; Figure 15 a further embodiment of a tampon assembly, and

Figure 16 a perspective view of the tampon assembly of

Figure 1. Firstly, it should be pointed out that the same parts described in the different embodiments are denoted by the same reference numbers and the same component names and the disclosures made throughout the description can be

transposed in terms of meaning to same parts bearing the same reference numbers or same component names. Also, the positions chosen for the purposes of the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc., relate to the drawing

specifically being described and can be transposed in terms of meaning to a new position when another position is being described. Furthermore, individual features or combinations of features from the different embodiments illustrated and described may be construed as independent inventive

solutions or solutions proposed by the invention in their own right .

Figures 1 and 2 show two alternative embodiments of the tampon assembly 1 of the invention. A tampon 2 is equipped with a vibration generator 3 that will be discussed in more detail below. Vibration generator 3 is accommodated in a housing 4 and connected by a connecting element 5 to an additional housing 6 that remains outside the body while tampon assembly 1 is being worn. Vibration generator 3 is preferably made entirely of synthetic material. More particularly, at least housing 4 of the vibration generator is advantageously made of synthetic material . Connecting element 5 may also be made entirely of synthetic material. By manufacturing the aforementioned components from

synthetic material it is achieved that no metallic objects have to be introduced into the body orifice, which may be found disagreeable by some persons.

Additional housing 6 incorporates an energy source 7 that may be an electric energy source such as a battery or a rechargeable battery or alternatively e.g. a pneumatic energy source such as a pressure gas storage. Energy source 7 is connected by conductors 8 to a movement generator 9, conductors 8 advantageously having incorporated control means such as a switch that are not illustrated in the figures. Reference numeral 12 denotes a coupling that allows separating connecting element 5 from additional housing 6. Thanks to coupling 12 it is possible to reuse additional housing 6 with the components arranged therein whereas tampon 2 and connecting element 5 are disposed of after a single use. Alternatively it is also possible to provide a coupling near tampon 2 , in which case connecting element 5 is reusable too. This alternative is not illustrated in the figures .

The difference between the embodiments according to Figure 1 and 2 is that in the embodiment according to Figure 1, movement generator 9 produces a rotating movement as indicated by arrow 10. More specifically, the rotating movement may be a continuous or oscillating one where a shaft of movement generator 9 is rotated a certain amount by movement generator 9 and subsequently rotated back in the opposite direction. Connecting element 5 is designed as a flexible shaft that is advantageously protected by a non- rotating sheath. Such flexible sheaths having a diameter of e.g. 2 mm are commercially available and are e.g. used in modeling or surgery. By flexible shaft 5, the rotation of movement generator 9 is transmitted to vibration generator 3, as symbolized by arrow 11. Movement generator 9 may be an electric motor, an electromagnet, a pneumatic motor, a clockwork motor, etc. In contrast to the embodiment

according to Figure 1, in the embodiment according to Figure 2 , movement generator 9 produces a reciprocating

translational movement that is transmitted to vibration generator 3 in tampon 2 by a connecting element 5 in the form of a Bowden cable. Such Bowden cables composed of a sheath and a core that is axially displaceable therein are also commercially available in small diameters and are also used in modeling and in surgery, e.g. in an instrument according to DE19758596B4. Depending on the construction and the chosen materials, the cores of such Bowden cables may transmit pressure forces too. Examples thereof are the elements available under the trade name "Flexball". An operation by tensile forces exclusively is also possible, however, if a tension spring acts upon the core on the side of connecting element 5 opposite the movement generator. Movement generator 9 may e.g. also be an electric motor the rotary movement of which is converted into a translational movement by conversion means such as a wobbling disk or a small crank mechanism. Furthermore, as schematically

illustrated in Figure 2, movement generator 9 may be in the form of an electromagnet or alternatively of a small

pneumatic or hydraulic piston and cylinder unit.

Figures 3 to 6 show different embodiments of vibration generator 3 for the embodiment of tampon assembly 1

according to Figure 1 having a rotating movement generator 9 and a flexible shaft 5. In all four embodiments, the principle of the vibration generation is based on a mass 15 that is eccentrically mounted on a rotatable shaft 13.

Rotating shaft 13 is arranged in a non-rotating sheath 14. In the embodiment according to Figure 3, the end of flexible shaft 13 that projects into housing 4 and carries mass 15 is relatively short. In this manner, the shaft end remains relatively rigid in operation while mass 15 produces the vibration. In contrast thereto, in the embodiment according to Figure 4, the end of flexible shaft 13 that projects into housing 4 and carries mass 15 is relatively long. As a result, in operation, the rotating mass 15 will bend the shaft end whereby mass 15 moves on a circular path. For this reason, housing 4 has a greater diameter than the housing of Figure 3. In the embodiments according to Figures 5 and 6, the end of shaft 13 is supported by an additional bearing 16, bearing 16 being located at the entrance of shaft 13 into the housing in Figure 5 and on the opposite side in Figure 6. It is understood that bearings 16 may be provided on both sides of mass 15.

Figures 7 to 9 show different embodiments of vibration generator 3 for the embodiment of tampon assembly 1

according to Figure 2 having a movement generator 9 that produces a translational movement and transmits the latter to tampon 2 via a Bowden cable. For a better distinction from the rotating shaft 13 depicted in Figures 3 to 6, the element that is displaceable in sheath 14 is designated as core 18. The simplest one of these embodiments is

illustrated in Figure 7. Mass 15 is rigidly connected to the end of core 18 and produces the vibration by its

reciprocating movement according to arrow 11. In the exemplary embodiment of Figure 8, mass 15 is connected to the end of core 18 by an interposed spring 17. Due to the resulting lengthened path that mass 15 covers in operation, housing 4 is slightly longer than housing 4 of Figure 7. At this point it should also be mentioned that both mass 15 and core 18, as the other parts of vibration generator 3 that are received in a body orifice, may be produced of synthetic material. In the embodiment according to Figure 9, a spring 17 is arranged between sheath 14 and housing 4. This allows housing 4 to move relative to sheath 14 in operation.

Three further embodiments of vibration generator 3 for translational movements are shown in Figures 10 to 12. In each case, a mass 15 is arranged in a housing 4 at the free end of a lever 19 that is connected to the free end of core 18 in a fastening point 20. In the embodiment according to Figure 10, mass 15 may oscillate to both sides of the longitudinal axis of core 18 whereas in the embodiment according to Figure 11, mass 15 is only movable to one side of the longitudinal axis of core 18. In both embodiments of the vibration generator according to Figures 10 and 11, an irregular vibration pattern results in operation due to mass 15 that is supported so as to oscillate freely. In the embodiment according to Figure 12, lever 19 is additionally connected to housing 4 by means of a bearing 20 so that a regular vibration pattern results in operation here. Figures 13 and 14 show two embodiments of a coupling 12 by which connecting element 5 is removably connected to

movement generator 9. As mentioned above, an identical or similar coupling may alternatively also be provided on the side of tampon 3 or of vibration generator 3, respectively. With minor modifications, both couplings 12 may be used both for rotational and for translational movements of movement generator 9. A coupling part 22 for sheath 14 is connected to housing 6 and has an internal diameter that allows the axial passage of a coupling part 23 of shaft 13 or core 18, respectively. A driving part 24 of movement generator 9 is removably connected to coupling part 23. For an application with a rotating movement generator 9, coupling part 23 and driving part 24 of movement generator 9 have to interlock so as to be able to transmit a torque. Inversely, for an application with a movement generator 9 that generates translational movements, coupling part 23 and driving part 24 of movement generator 9 have to interlock so as to be able to transmit a linearly directed force. By way of example, Figure 14 illustrates a detent element 25.

In Fig. 15, a further and possibly independent embodiment of the tampon assembly according to the invention is depicted where again the same reference numbers and component names are used as in the preceding Figures . In order to avoid unnecessary repetitions, reference is made to the detailed description in the preceding Figures. According to the depicted embodiment, vibration generator 3 may perform a translational and/or a rotational movement. These two movements may be superposed on one another. Also, in this exemplary embodiment, both the translational and the

rotational movements may be activatable jointly or

separately. Each of these different translational and rotational movements, respectively, may be separately or jointly activatable alternately, consecutively, or in a partly overlapping manner. The translational and/or the rotational movement (s) may be oscillating or intermittent or alternately oscillating and intermittent, respectively.

Thus, movement generator 9 may produce a linear movement and a rotational movement that may be superposed on one another and transmitted to vibration generator 3 by means of

flexible connecting element 5. In Fig. 15, the translational and rotational movements are denoted by reference numerals 10 and 11. This embodiment is advantageous mainly with regard to the improvement of the insertion and removal capability of the assembly of tampon 2 and vibration

generator 3 into resp. from a body orifice. Also, an

improvement of the insertion and/or removal capability of the assembly of tampon 2 and vibration generator 3 into resp. from an applicator can be achieved in this manner. To this end, it is also possible to vary the frequency and/or the amplitude of the translational and/or rotational movements, e.g. to increase the amplitude of the

translational movement.

Indeed, the insertion and removal procedure can be assisted very efficiently by a superposition of translational and rotational movements of vibration generator 3. Furthermore, the possibility of manually switching between the generation of a rotational movement and the generation of a translational movement may be provided. This may e.g. be achieved by actuating a switch on housing 6. Moreover, the possibility of manually adjusting the speeds resp. the corresponding accelerations of the rotational resp.

translational movements generated by movement generator 9 may be provided. This may be accomplished in different ways; thus, the movement generator may e.g. be connected to a control unit provided in housing 6, e.g. a programmable microprocessor that is connected to an input unit, e.g. a rotary or a sliding switch or a touch- screen on housing 6 of the movement generator. The control unit connected to movement generator 9 may then implement the corresponding control of the movement sequences .

It is also conceivable that movement generator 9 might be controlled by an external control device, e.g. a smartphone or a tablet computer or a remote control. To this end, movement generator 9 may comprise a corresponding interface for communication with the external device, either wired or wireless. The desired movement sequence can then be selected by the user via the user interface of a

corresponding app or program on the external device. As illustrated in Fig. 15, coupling 12 may also be arranged on the side of tampon 2 or vibration generator 3,

respectively. In this case, coupling 12 may be slightly spaced from the tampon in order to allow a hygienic

replacement of the assembly of tampon 2 and vibration generator 3.

As seen in Fig. 16, vibration generator 3 may be surrounded by tampon 2. Tampon 2 itself is illustrated in perspective while flexible connection 5 leads to vibration generator 3 incorporated in the interior of tampon 2. Tampon 2 is made of an absorbent material. Hereinafter, the structure of tampon 2 will be briefly discussed. The present tampon comprises a proximal end and a distal end. As used

hereinafter, the term "proximal end" 19 refers to those portions of the assembly and of its components that are situated farthest from the body of a user when tampon 2 is inserted into a body orifice, e.g. into the vagina. The term "distal end" refers to those portions of the assembly and of its components that are situated nearest to the body of a user when tampon 2 is inserted. Consequently, as used hereinafter, the terms "proximal" or "distal" indicate that a particular part or structure of the assembly or of its components is nearer to the proximal end or the distal end, respectively, of the assembly or of its components. In a similar way, the terms "proximal direction" or "distal direction" refer to the directions toward the proximal end or the distal end of tampon 2, respectively. Tampon 2 comprises an elongated main section having a distal insertion end, a proximal withdrawal end and a middle section extending therebetween. Furthermore, the tampon has a longitudinal axis and an outer side made of an absorbent material. Tampon 2 or at least the middle section of tampon 2 may have a substantially cylindrical shape that may be a simple geometrical shape of a cylindrical envelope that comes nearest to the overall shape of tampon 2 or at least of its middle section. On its outer side, tampon 2 may be provided with ribs or grooves, or its outer side may be substantially smooth. The maximum outside diameter of tampon 2 or of its middle section may be substantially constant in the longitudinal direction, or it may vary. The portion of tampon 2 near its withdrawal end where flexible connection 5 is arranged may e.g. have a greater maximum outside diameter that the remainder of its middle section. This thickening at the proximal end of tampon 2 reduces the risk that body liquids may flow out when tampon 2 is being placed in the vagina .

For the manufacture of the assembly of vibration generator 3 and tampon 2, vibration generator 3 may be wrapped resp. covered with an absorbent fiber material that forms tampon 2. Vibration generator 3 may e.g. be sewn into the material of tampon 2 or alternatively be prevented from slipping out of the tampon by the retaining elements mentioned in the introduction. However, a large number of other methods for connecting vibration generator 3 to tampon 2 are

alternatively possible; thus, after wrapping the vibration generator with tampon 2, the distal end of tampon 2 might be tightly compressed so that this compressed section prevents a withdrawal of the vibration generator.

Absorbent fiber materials for tampon 2 may comprise any absorbent materials having acceptable absorbent properties and properties regarding the modulus of elasticity and which are capable of absorbing and/or retaining liquids. The absorbent structure can be produced in a large diversity of sizes and shapes from a large number of liquid absorbent materials. Of course it is desirable to use absorbent materials having a minimal content of soluble materials as the product is to remain in the body for a certain time period. Foreign substances that are retained may represent a safety risk if they are toxic, irritating or sensitive.

A representative, non-limiting list of suitable materials comprises cellulosic materials such as e.g. rayon, cotton, cellulose, cellulose wadding, tissue, laminated tissue, sphagnum and chemically reinforced, modified, or cross- linked cellulose fibers; synthetic materials such as e.g. polyester fibers, polyolefin fibers, absorbent foam

materials, e.g. an elastically resilient polyurethane foam, absorbent sponges, extremely absorbent polymers, absorbent gelling materials; treated fibers such as e.g. capillary channel fibers and multi-limbed fibers; synthetic fibers or an equivalent material, or combinations of materials or mixtures thereof. The individual embodiments depicted in the figures can also form the subject matter of independent solutions according to the invention. The objectives and solutions according to the invention relating thereto can be taken from the

detailed descriptions of these figures. As a matter of form it is noted that for a better understanding of the design of the endless strip according to the invention the latter and its components are partly shown untrue to scale and/or enlarged and/or reduced in size. The exemplary embodiments show possible embodiment variants of the tampon assembly according to the invention, and it should be pointed out at this stage that the invention is not limited to the embodiment variants specifically

illustrated but instead the individual variants may be used in different combinations with one another and these possible variations lie within the reach of the person skilled in this technical field given the disclosed

technical teaching. Accordingly, all conceivable embodiment variants which can be obtained by combining individual details of the embodiment variants described and illustrated are possible and fall within the scope of the invention. List of Reference Numerals

Tampon assembly-

Tampon

Vibration generator

Housing

Connecting element

Housing

Energy source

Conductors

Movement generator

Arrow

Arrow-

Coupling

Shaft

Sheath

Mass

Bearing

Spring

Core

Lever

Fastening point

Bearing

Coupling part for sheath

Coupling part of shaft or core

Driving part

Detent element

Claims

1. Tampon assembly (1) comprising a vibration generator (3) arranged in a tampon (2) as well as an energy source (7) connected to the vibration generator (3) by a connecting element (5) and intended to be arranged outside the body of the user of the tampon assembly, characterized in that the connecting element (5) is designed as a flexible element for the transmission of mechanical energy.

2. Tampon assembly (1) according to claim 1,

characterized in that at its end facing away from the tampon (2) , the flexible element (5) is operatively connected to a movement generator (9) .

3. Tampon assembly (1) according to claim 2,

characterized in that the movement generator (9) and the energy source (7) are accommodated in a housing (6), preferably a common one.

4. Tampon assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible element (5) is designed as a flexible shaft for the transmission of a torque .

5. Tampon assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that the flexible element (5) is composed of a sheath (14) and of a core element (13) that is rotatable therein.

6. Tampon assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movement generator (9) is designed such that in operation, a driving part (24) connected thereto performs a rotating movement.

7. Tampon assembly (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the movement generator (9) is designed such that the rotating movement is oscillating.

8. Tampon assembly (1) according to one of claims 1 to 2 , characterized in that the flexible element (5) is designed as a Bowden cable for the transmission of tensile and/or pressure forces.

9. Tampon assembly (1) according to one of claims 1 to 2 and 8, characterized in that the movement generator is designed such that in operation, a driving part (24)

connected thereto performs an oscillating translational movement.

10. Tampon assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible element (5) is removably connected to the vibration generator (3) and/or the movement generator (9) by a coupling (12) .

11. Tampon assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movement generator (9) is designed such that a driving part (21) connected thereto performs a rotating and a translational movement.

12. Tampon assembly according to claim 11, characterized in that the rotating and the translational movements are synchronously or asynchronously superposed on one another, the amplitudes and/or frequencies of the mutually superposed movements being different from or equal to each other in the case of oscillating movements.

13. Tampon assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movement generator is designed such that a driving part connected thereto is switchable between operations in which it performs a rotating and a translational movement, respectively.

14. Tampon assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tampon (2) surrounding the vibration generator (3) is formed of an absorbent material.

15. Tampon assembly according to claim 14, characterized in that the vibration generator (3) is surrounded, preferably completely surrounded by the tampon (2) and the movement generator (9) that is operatively connected to the flexible shaft is arranged completely outside the tampon (2) .