Method of using an intravaginal device with fluid transport plates

Abstract

A method of capturing bodily fluid intravaginally providing an intravaginal device that has a fluid storage element having a longitudinal axis and is in fluid communication with at least one fluid transport element. The method involves providing at least one fluid transport element that is bendable about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fluid storage element and positioned within a human vagina.

1 . A method of capturing intravaginal bodily fluid, the method comprising the steps of: 
 a) providing a fluid storage element having a longitudinal axis;    b) providing at least one fluid transport element in fluid communication with the fluid storage element and positioned within a human vagina, the at least one fluid transport element bendable about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fluid storage element, the fluid transport element comprising: 
 i) a first plate having an outwardly oriented surface and an inwardly oriented surface; and  
 ii) a second plate having a first surface disposed in facing relationship with the inwardly oriented surface of the first plate, and an opposite surface, and sufficiently spaced apart from the first plate to provide inter-plate capillary action between the first plate and the second plate;  
   wherein the at least one fluid transport element is positioned within the vagina such that the outwardly oriented surface of the first plate and the opposite surface of the second plate contact the vaginal walls, whereby bodily fluid within the human vagina is exposed to the at least one fluid transport element and is transported between the first plate and the second plate by inter-plate capillary action to the fluid storage element where the fluid is stored.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second plates comprises an apertured polymeric film.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second plates are formed of a folded sheet of apertured polymeric film.  
   
   
       4 . A method of using a plurality of tampons during a period of menstruation, the method comprising the steps of: 
 a) providing a first tampon comprising: 
 i) at least one fluid transport element comprising: 
 A) a first plate having an outwardly oriented surface and an inwardly oriented surface;  
 B) a second plate coupled to the first plate that is capable of separating from the first plate sufficiently to provide inter-plate capillary action, the second plate having a first surface disposed and maintained in facing relationship with the inwardly oriented surface of the first plate and an opposite surface; and  
 
 ii) a fluid storage element having a longitudinal axis, the fluid storage element being in fluid communication with the at least one fluid transport element; wherein the at least one fluid transport element is bendable about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fluid storage element;  
   b) positioning the first tampon within a woman's vaginal canal while maintaining at least a portion of a major surface of the fluid transport element in contact with at least a portion of an outer surface of the fluid storage element;    c) collecting a first volume of vaginal discharge while holding the first tampon in position;    d) removing the first tampon from the woman's vaginal canal and subsequently disposing of the first tampon;    e) providing a second tampon comprising: 
 i) at least one fluid transport element comprising: 
 A) a first plate having an outwardly oriented surface and an inwardly oriented surface;  
 B) a second plate coupled to the first plate that is capable of separating from the first plate sufficiently to provide inter-plate capillary action, the second plate having a first surface disposed and maintained in facing relationship with the inwardly oriented surface of the first plate and an opposite surface; and  
 
 ii) a fluid storage element having a longitudinal axis, the fluid storage element being in fluid communication with the at least one fluid transport element; wherein the at least one fluid transport element is bendable about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fluid storage element;  
   f) positioning the second tampon within a woman's vaginal canal while maintaining at least a portion of a major surface of the fluid transport element in contact with at least a portion of an outer surface of the fluid storage element; wherein the at least one fluid transport element is bendable about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fluid storage element;    wherein the steps of positioning and disposing of the first tampon and the steps of positioning and disposing of the second tampon occur during the period of menstruation.    
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein at least one of the first and second plates comprises an apertured polymeric film.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the first and second plates are formed of a folded sheet of apertured polymeric film.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the step of positioning the first tampon within a woman's vaginal canal further comprises manipulating the first tampon to separate a distal portion of the at least one fluid transport element from the outer surface of the fluid storage element, whereby the outwardly oriented surface of the first plate and the opposite surface of the second plate contact the vaginal walls.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one fluid transport element is wrapped convolutedly around the outer surface of the fluid storage element, and the step of positioning the first tampon within a woman's vaginal canal further comprises maintaining the at least one fluid transport element wrapped convolutedly around the outer surface of the fluid storage element.