Device and method for fitting a pessary

Abstract

There is provided a device for measuring an inside shape of a vagina, including a device body, operationally connected to one or more movable cheeks, the cheeks movable in a direction substantially transaxially relative to the device body longitudinal axis, and a width indicator, for indicating a distance between opposite faces of the cheeks. There is provided a method for fitting a pessary including inserting a Pessary Caliber (PC) into a vagina, extending cheeks of the PC to press against sides of the vagina, measuring a distance between the cheeks, measuring how deep the PC is inserted into the vagina, and selecting a pessary size based, at least in part, on the measuring. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for measuring an inside shape of a vagina, comprising:
 a device body, operationally connected to one or more movable cheeks mounted on pistons, the cheeks movable using a rack and pinion mechanism, liquid pressure or gas pressure in a direction substantially transaxially relative to the device body longitudinal axis; and, a width indicator, for indicating a distance between opposite faces of the cheeks.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a depth indicator, for indicating a depth of insertion of the device into the vagina. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a force gage, for measuring a force by which the cheeks are pressing against the inside of the vagina. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , in which the cheeks are shaped so as to prevent damage to vagina walls when pressing against the inside of the vagina. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , in which the one or more movable cheeks comprise at least two cheeks, each movable in an opposite direction substantially transaxially to the device body longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , in which the one or more movable cheeks comprise at least two cheeks, each at a different axial position along the device body longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , in which the one or more movable cheeks are operationally connected to the device body by linkage of a mechanical arm for each cheek. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , in which a rod is operationally connected to the mechanical arms, and pushing the rod causes the mechanical arms to push the movable cheeks substantially outward. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 7 , in which a rod is operationally connected to the mechanical arms, and rotating the rod in one direction causes the mechanical arms to push the movable cheeks substantially outward, while rotating the rod in an opposite direction causes the mechanical arms to pull the movable cheeks substantially inward. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , in which the width is indicated in terms of a pessary size. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , in which the depth is indicated in terms of a pessary size. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , packaged in a kit together with a pessary. 
     
     
         13 . The kit of  claim 12 , in which a cross sectional area of the cheeks which abuts the vaginal walls is substantially equal to a cross sectional area of the pessary which abuts the vaginal walls. 
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 13 , in which a shape of a portion of the cheeks which abuts the vaginal walls is substantially similar to a shape of a portion of the pessary which abuts the vaginal walls. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1  in which a maximum diameter of the device in a direction perpendicular to the device body longitudinal axis is small enough to fit into a small sized vagina, and the maximum diameter to which the device may grow by extending the cheeks is large enough to press upon opposite sides of a large vagina. 
     
     
         16 . A device for measuring an inside shape of a vagina, comprising:
 a device body, operationally connected to one or more movable cheeks in a single axial plane using a rack and pinion mechanism, liquid pressure or gas pressure, the one or more cheeks movable to a plurality of positions in the single axial plane in a direction transaxially relative to the device body longitudinal axis and in the single axial plane, wherein a distal portion of the device body has a symmetrical exterior shape in the single axial plane; and   a width indicator, for indicating a distance between opposite faces of the cheeks.   
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , further comprising a depth indicator, for indicating a depth of insertion of the device into the vagina. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 16 , further comprising a force gage, for measuring a force by which the cheeks are pressing against the inside of the vagina. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 16 , in which the cheeks are shaped so as to prevent damage to vagina walls when pressing against the inside of the vagina. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 16 , in which the one or more movable cheeks comprise at least two cheeks, each movable in an opposite direction substantially transaxially to the device body longitudinal axis.