DEVICE FOR REDUCTION OR PREVENTION OF PRETERM LABOR

• Main Authors: LEE, Donald J, DEGENKOLB, Amelia
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 03.07.2024
• Subjects: BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF,TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, E.G. STENTS; DIAGNOSIS; FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; FIRST-AID KITS; FOMENTATION; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HYGIENE; IDENTIFICATION; MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; PROSTHESES; SURGERY; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS

A medical device for supporting a patient's cervix, such as in the event of an insufficient cervix or uterine prolapse. The device includes a main body configured for placement in a vagina, a proximal opening at an upper portion of the body, and a distal opening at a lower portion of the body. A portion of the body engages and anchors the device along the vaginal wall proximate the cervical opening. An expandable cuff at the proximal opening is expandable to circumscribe the exterior of the cervix. The cuff is expandable inward toward the cervix, or downward away from the uterus, or both inward and downward. The cuff may include multiple features, such as a recessed portion and an enlargeable portion arranged adjacent one another, in which the recessed portion may permit blood flow to lower cervical tissue.