Intra-Vaginal Devices And Methods For Treating Fecal Incontinence

Abstract

Disclosed herein are devices and methods for intra-vaginal bowel control.

1 . An intravaginal device for the control of stool passage, the device comprising:
 a collapsible stabilizing body including a plurality of segments interconnected by joints and configured to modulate between an open state and a collapsed state by movement of the segments about the joints,   an occluding portion positioned above the stabilizing body, the occluding portion configured to provide a non-extended state and an extended state the occluding portion configured to push against a recto-vaginal septum of a user in an the extended state; and   a locking mechanism configured to maintain the collapsible stabilizing body in the open state upon engagement of the locking mechanism and permit the collapsible stabilizing body to collapse upon disengagement of the locking mechanism.   
     
     
         2 . The device of claim  0 , wherein the interconnected segments, in the open state, form a loop with a generally oval shape. 
     
     
         3 . The device of claim  0 , wherein the interconnected segments, in the collapsed state, form a loop with multiple generally oval shapes. 
     
     
         4 . The device of claim  0 , wherein in the collapsed state the segments have a lengthwise mid-point that is approximately half-way between a distal joint and proximal joint, wherein a width at this midpoint in the collapsed state is narrower than a width of a space spanned by the segments both proximal and distal to the midpoint. 
     
     
         5 . The device of claim  0 , wherein in the collapsed state, the approximate lengthwise midpoint forms a local minimum in the profile of the device. 
     
     
         6 . The device of claim  0 , wherein the occluding portion is configured to protrude into the rectum by pushing against a recto-vaginal septum of a user in the extended state. 
     
     
         7 . The device of claim  0 , wherein:
 in the open state, the device has a first width, a first length, and a first height; and   in the collapsed state, the device has a second width, a second length, and a second height, the second width being 50% less than the first width, the second length being greater than the first length, and the second height being substantially the same as the first height.   
     
     
         8 . The device of claim  0 , wherein the stabilizing body is comprised of multiple interconnected segments that are joined together to form a loop. 
     
     
         9 . The device of claim  0 , wherein the stabilizing body comprises multiple interconnected segments that are joined by joints, wherein at least one of the joints comprises an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         10 . The device of claim  0 , wherein at least a portion of at least some of the plurality of segments have an arcuate shape. 
     
     
         11 . The device of claim  0 , wherein the plurality of segments is arranged symmetrically about an axis that extends between the locking mechanism and the occluding portion. 
     
     
         12 . The device of claim  0 , wherein the occluding portion is positioned above a joint between interconnected segments. 
     
     
         13 . The device of claim  0 , wherein the occluding portion is positioned above a joint located opposite to the locking mechanism. 
     
     
         14 . The device of claim  0 , wherein the occluding portion is an inflatable balloon, extending from the joint in a generally perpendicular direction from a plane of the interconnected segments, wherein the joint is located between the balloon and a soft cushion material. 
     
     
         15 . The device of claim  0 , wherein, in the open state, a portion of the collapsible stabilizing body has an arcuate shape and a portion of the collapsible stabilizing body has a linear shape. 
     
     
         16 . The device of claim  0 , wherein, in the open state, the occluding portion is positioned above the linearly shaped portion of the collapsible stabilizing body. 
     
     
         17 . The device of claim  0 , wherein the occluding portion is attached to the periphery. 
     
     
         18 . The device of claim  0 , wherein the collapsible stabilizing body is configured to provide an interconnected frame solely forming a structural perimeter of the device. 
     
     
         19 . The device of claim  0 , wherein the interconnected frame is comprised of metal segments, joined together and surrounded by a soft cushioning material. 
     
     
         20 . The device of claim  0 , wherein at least 3 of the interconnected joints are configured to be constrained to one degree of freedom of angular motion. 
     
     
         21 - 111 . (canceled)