Such an applicator is known, for example from Patent Specification US 4,742,820. By means of the applicator described therein, a pessary can be placed at the correct depth in the vagina by pushing the pessary out of a sleeve using a pusher. A stop fitted on the outside of the sleeve facilitates the correct depth setting. This applicator does not have the facility for also removing the pessary by means of the same instrument. Such removal is facilitated by this invention of an applicator for a vaginal ring, which applicator is also adapted for the insertion and removal of a vaginal ring.

What has actually been found is an applicator for a vaginal ring which comprises a sleeve provided with a stop, which sleeve at one end has an opening for the vaginal ring and at the other end has an opening for a pusher, the applicator being provided with adaptations connecting to each other in the sleeve and to an end of the pusher fitting into the sleeve, by means of which adaptations the pusher can be fixed to the sleeve, and which pusher is provided at the other end with a hook which makes it possible to remove the ring from the vagina.

Detailed description of the invention:

Figure 1A, B: Illustration of an applicator with adaptations according to the rotation method.

Figure 2: Illustration of a midsection of an applicator with adaptations according to click method 1.

Figure 3: Illustration of parts of an applicator by means of which adaptations according to click method 2 are shown.

Figure 1 shows an example of an embodiment of the invention. The sleeve 1 is an oval-shaped tube with an opening at end 2, where the vaginal ring 5 (folded up) can be inserted into and removed from the sleeve, and an opening at end 3, where the pusher (6), also called the hook part, can be inserted into the sleeve. A stop 4 around the sleeve determines the depth to which the sleeve can be inserted into the vagina. On the inside of the sleeve, a screw thread 7 is provided at end 3, which screw thread connects to the screw thread 8 on the outside of one end of the pusher. A hook 9 on the other end is designed for pulling the ring out of the vagina when the pusher is screwed on the sleeve as shown in 1A.

A cross section at the level of I shows that the sleeve is oval and the pusher is round at the position of the screw thread (10).

Figure 2 shows a second example of an embodiment of the invention. The adaptations for fixing the pusher 6 in the sleeve 8 consist of a projection 11 which falls into a recess or countershape 12. In addition, the sleeve is provided on the inside with a groove, by means of which the projection 11, if rotated in front of the groove, does not prevent the pusher from being able to be pushed fully into the sleeve for the purpose of placing the ring.

Figure 3 shows a third example of an embodiment of the

invention. The adaptations for fixing the pusher 6 in the sleeve 8 consist of a projection 13 on the inside of the sleeve and a receiving countershape 14 on the outside of the pusher. In front of and behind the countershape 14 are barries 15 and 16, over which the projection 13 can be pushed. When the projection is beyond the barries, the pusher can move freely up and down in the sleeve, in order to push out the ring. If the pusher with projection is in the countershape between the barries, the pusher is fixed for use of the hook, in order to remove the ring.

Various other adaptations are also conceivable for Eixing the pusher in the sleeve, for example by means of a projection which by rotations falls into the desired countershapes, but these adaptations will not be described any more exhaustively here.

Since the applicator need only be inserted to a certain depth, a stop is needed for limiting the insertion. Said stop rests for the most part on the area between the vaginal opening and the anus. A sphincter, which can provide support, is situated here. The other side of the vaginal opening provides less support; the urethra and the clitoris are situated here.

It is better if the stop does not project more than 3 cm, since the shape is then going to look less attractive, and there is a risk of contact with the anus.

Since the vagina does not run straight upwards, but runs obliquely upwards in the direction of the side of the back, it is useful to make this direction clear by tilting the stop. The angle is approximately 70°. This means that other directions of insertion are ruled out.

Tilting the stop ensures that: 1. insertion to the left or right is not a matter of course, 2. the insertion of the applicator in the direction of the abdomen is not easy now either, and the arm would therefore have to be extended further, 3. this is the correct direction of insertion, so that the ring is also inserted in the correct position.

In order to give the thumb and middle finger more grip on the sleeve, a coarser surface structure can be provided on the bottom part of the sleeve. A small flange can also be provided on the end of the sleeve, in order to prevent the sleeve from slipping. The flange must not project too far, because this part of the sleeve is also used for the removal of the ring, and there would then not be a good transition between sleeve and pusher.

The cross section of the applicator is preferably oval.

An oval shape is also more obvious, because the folded ring also gives an oval shape. This shape ensures that the user always puts the ring properly into the applicator. Since only one direction of insertion is possible, the ring is now well positioned in the vagina and quickly comes to rest around the cervix.

The applicator can be made of various materials which are resistant to hot water and to soap solutions, and in particular injection-mouldable plastics are very suitable. The use of polypropylene is preferred.