Disposable device for transferring an active liquid into a body cavity

Abstract

A disposable device for transferring an active liquid into a body cavity has sufficient intrinsic consistency for being inserted by being thrust into the cavity. The device includes a central element, that is the source of at least part of the active liquid. The central element is preferably formed from a capsule having a wall that forms a detachable appendage. A peripheral element is arranged around the central element. The peripheral element may be a pad arranged to collect and absorb active liquid delivered into the body cavity by expanding and thereby being urged to press sealingly against mucous membrane of the body cavity.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A disposable device, for transferring an active liquid into a body cavity, having sufficient intrinsic consistency to allow it to be inserted into said cavity by pushing, said device comprising: 
 a central element comprising a source of at least part of the active liquid;    a peripheral element arranged around the central element, comprising a pad designed to collect and absorb active liquid dispensed into the body cavity by expanding and thus coming to press in a sealed manner against mucous membrane of the body cavity;    wherein the central element is a capsule comprising a wall, and the interior of said capsule contains said active liquid, said wall being closed and sealed with respect to said active liquid, at ambient temperature and outside the body cavity; and    said wall forms an appendage that can be removed to open said source of liquid just before the device is inserted into the body cavity.    
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the active liquid comprises a treatment agent selected from the group consisting of wetting agents, agents for solubilizing and fluidizing a bodily fluid or liquid present in the body cavity, therapeutic agents, prophylactic agents, diagnostic agents, cosmetic agents, personal hygiene agents, antiseptics, bactericides, fungicides and spermicides.  
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the peripheral element has a hole, the shape and size of said hole being tailored to receive a body of the central element.  
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the central element has a foot with a bulging shape, while the peripheral element has a flared part, the shape and size of said flared part being tailored to retain the foot of the central element.  
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein the pad is bored with at least one radial passage opening onto an exterior face of said pad, and communicating with said hole.  
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the appendage is removable by breaking off the appendage from the wall.  
     
     
         7 . A device for transferring a liquid into a body cavity, comprising: 
 an expandable element that is expandable upon absorption of liquid, said expandable element having a distal end and a proximal end;    a source of liquid at least partially radially surrounded by said expandable element, said source of liquid comprising a wall that is closed and sealed while said device is outside said body cavity, and said wall encloses a substance that is liquid in ambient temperature; and    said wall forms an appendage that can be removed to open said source of liquid just before the device is inserted into the body cavity.    
     
     
         8 . A device according to  claim 7 , wherein said source of liquid extends distally beyond a distal end of said expandable element.  
     
     
         9 . A device according to  claim 7 , wherein said source of liquid extends from within a proximal half of said expandable element through a distal half of said expandable element.  
     
     
         10 . A device according to  claim 7 , wherein said wall comprises a substance that is relatively solid in ambient temperature and atmosphere, but that can at least partially enter a liquid state when in a body cavity.  
     
     
         11 . A device according to  claim 10 , wherein said substance at least partially melts and/or dissolves under conditions in said body cavity.  
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 7 , wherein the appendage is removable by breaking off the appendage from the wall.  
     
     
         13 . A device according to  claim 7 , wherein said expandable element comprises a foam of a biocompatible plastic material.  
     
     
         14 . The device according to  claim 7 , further comprising a material that at least partially covers said distal end of said expandable element and said source of liquid, said material comprising a substance that is relatively solid in ambient temperature and atmosphere, but that can at least partially enter a liquid state when in a body cavity.  
     
     
         15 . The device according to  claim 14 , wherein said material at least partially melts and/or dissolves under conditions in said body cavity.  
     
     
         16 . A device according to  claim 14 , wherein said material covers an exposed portion of said central element.  
     
     
         17 . A device according to  claim 7 , wherein said substance is a liquid that comprises a local treatment agent.  
     
     
         18 . A device according to  claim 7 , wherein said substance is a liquid that comprises a systemic treatment agent.  
     
     
         19 . A device according to  claim 7 , wherein said substance is a liquid that comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of antiseptics, bactericides, spermicides and fungicides.  
     
     
         20 . A device for transferring a liquid into a body cavity, comprising: 
 an expandable element that is expandable upon absorption of liquid, said expandable element having a distal end and a proximal end and comprising a foam of a biocompatible plastic material;    a source of liquid at least partially radially surrounded by said expandable element and extending from within a proximal half of said expandable element through and beyond a distal half of said expandable element, said source of liquid comprising a wall that is closed and sealed while said device is outside said body cavity, and said wall enclosing a substance that is liquid in ambient temperature and forming an appendage that can be removed to open said source of liquid; and    a material that at least partially covers said distal end of said expandable element and said source of liquid, said material comprising a substance that is relatively solid in ambient temperature and atmosphere, but that can at least partially enter a liquid state when in a body cavity.    
     
     
         21 . A method of transferring a liquid into a vagina, comprising removing the appendage from a device according to  claim 1 , and inserting said device into and in contact with walls of said vagina, allowing said liquid to be released from said source of liquid in said vagina, and withdrawing said device from said vagina.  
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein a proximal end of said expandable element expands to press in a sealed manner against said walls of said vagina upon absorbing said liquid, to seal against external flow of the liquid from the vagina.  
     
     
         23 . A method of transferring a liquid into a vagina, comprising removing the appendage from a device according to  claim 7 , and inserting said device into and in contact with walls of said vagina,)allowing said liquid to be released from said source of liquid in said vagina, and withdrawing said device from said vagina.  
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 23 , wherein said proximal end of said expandable element expands to press in a sealed manner against said walls of said vagina upon absorbing said liquid, to seal against external flow of the liquid from the vagina.  
     
     
         25 . A method of transferring a liquid into a vagina, comprising removing the appendage from a device according to  claim 20 , and inserting said device into and in contact with walls of said vagina, allowing said liquid to be released from said source of liquid in said vagina, and withdrawing said device from said vagina.  
     
     
         26 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein said proximal end of said expandable element expands to press in a sealed manner against said walls of said vagina upon absorbing said liquid, to seal against external flow of the liquid from the vagina.