2. Discussion of the Related Art Devices which are intended to be inserted into the vagina are known for use as contraceptive barriers. One particular contraceptive device, the cervical cap, is placed over the cervix to prevent semen from entering the cervical canal and is held in place according to a suction grip by precise fit or by a form-assuming dome using the surface viscosity of a moist cervical surface. United States Patent No. 4,785,804, for example, provides a disposable cervical cap having a thin, form-assuming, flexible dome portion that allows for its use with a majority of the female population irregardless of the size of the female's anatomy.

The cervical caps currently on the market today, however, may be difficult to remove for a portion of the female population, as the degree of wetness and viscosity of body fluids varies among women and during normal cycles. Some women also find it difficult to remove the cervical cap because of the thickness and length of their fingers and fingernails as well.

The present invention provides an improved disposable cervical cap which overcomes the aforementioned problems. Due to its novel construction, the cervical cap of the present invention allows for the quick and easy removal of the cervical cap by a greater majority of the female population.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a disposable cervical cap having a thin-walled, flexible, and pliant dome with an integrally-molded flexible retaining rim. In position, the flexible, form-assuming dome of the cervical cap conforms to the exocervical surface to

closely fit the surface upon contact. Due to its thinness and applicability, the dome of the cap will continue to adhere to the surface of the cervix until removed. Adherence of the dome to the cervix is further facilitated by the moist cervical surface.

The cervical cap of the present invention also includes a loop integral with the external surface of the cap to provide for easy and quick removal of the cap from the vaginal cavity. The loop has an increased diameter as compared to current cervical caps, and is angled upwards towards the apex of the dome portion of the cap, as opposed to being disposed perpendicularly to the apex portion of the dome.

Additional advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of a cervical cap of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a top elevational view of the cervical cap; FIG. 3 is a sectional view, taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a side view of an alternate preferred embodiment cervical cap of the present invention; and FIG. 5 is a sectional view, taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to Figure 10, a preferred embodiment of an improved cervical cap of the present invention is illustrated and indicated generally by the numeral 10.

Generally speaking, cervical cap 10 comprises a flexible, thin, form-assuming dome 12, an apex portion 14, a base portion 16, and an annular rim 18. Dome 12 is

generally thimble-shaped, with base portion 16 inwardly tapering toward apex portion 14. The outer diameter of rim 18 is greater than that of base portion 16 of dome 12.

Cervical cap 10 further includes an angled loop 28 for removal of the cap from inside a vaginal cavity that extends from the rim. The loop is preferably angled upwards between about 30° to about 60° such that the loop is disposed substantially parallel to the cervix. In addition, the diameter of loop 28 is increased as compared to cervical caps typically found in the market currently in order to facilitate the removal of the cap.

In an alternative embodiment, loop 28 is at about a 90° angle, such that the loop extends beyond the apex portion of the dome and is essentially parallel to the cervix.

In order to permit the loop to angle upwards towards the apex of the dome, a small notch or indentation 30 is made in the top side of loop 28 where the loop is connected to the flexible annular rim 18. This permits loop 28 to fold upwards, substantially parallel to the cervix, allowing the use of a finger or fingernail to hook the loop and thus break the hold of the suction grip or seal between the cervical cap and the cervix.

The cervical cap of the present invention may also be employed as a conception device, depending on the desired result. While the use of the cervical cap as a contraception device functions to prevent semen from entering the cervical canal (Os), the conception device aids in fertilization when sperm is placed inside the cap and the device is placed over the cervix, thereby concentrating sperm at the opening of the Os.

In an additional preferred embodiment, referring particularly to FIGS. 2 and 3, annular rim 18 has an inner surface 20 and an outer surface 22. Thin, gripping finger 24 projects upwardly and outwardly, as finger 24 is integrally-formed with inner surface 20. Finger 24 also defines an upper portion of a notched indentation 26 as viewed in FIG. 3. Annular rim 18 contains at least two gripping fingers 24 that are directly opposite

or symmetrically opposed from each other along inner surface 20. However, it will be appreciated to one skilled in the art that more than two fingers could be employed.

Fingers 24 effectively grip and hold cervical cap 10 over the cervix in order to prevent semen from entering the cervical canal or to aid in fertilization. Gripping fingers 24 and notched indentation 26 essentially provide the effect of a Chinese finger puzzle by gripping the side walls of the cervix and holding the cap when the circumference of the rim 18 is fitted around the cervix and slightly expands. Cervical cap 10 is fixed in place by the use of gripping fingers 24 rather than merely by suction or surface viscosity.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, an alternate embodiment of the present invention provides a cervical cap 110 comprising a flexible, thin, form-assuming dome 112, an apex portion 114, a base portion 116, and an annular rim 118. Dome 112 is generally thimble-shaped, with base portion 116 inwardly tapering toward apex portion 114. The outer diameter of rim 118 is greater than that of base portion 116 of dome 112.

Cervical cap 110 further includes an angled loop 140 for removal of the cap from inside a vaginal cavity. The loop is preferably angled upwards between about 30° to about 60° such that the loop is disposed substantially parallel to the cervix. In addition, the diameter of loop 140 is increased as compared to cervical caps typically found in the market currently in order to facilitate the removal of the cap.

In an alternative embodiment, loop 140 is at about a 90° angle, such that the loop extends beyond the apex portion of the dome and is essentially parallel to the cervix.

In order to permit the loop to angle upwards towards the apex of the dome, a small notch or indentation 142 is made in the top side of loop 140 where the loop is connected to the flexible annular rim 118. This permits loop 140 to fold upwards, parallel to the cervix, allowing the use of a finger or fingernail to hook the loop and thus break the hold of the suction grip or seal between the cervical cap and the cervix.

Referring particularly to FIG. 5, rim 118 has an inner surface 120 and an outer surface 122, bottom surface 124, and upper surfaces 126 and 128. Upper surface 126 extends leftward from base portion 116, as viewed in FIG. 5, and terminates at outer shoulder 130. Upper surface 128 extends rightward from base portion 116, as viewed in FIG. 5, and terminates at outer shoulder 132. Upper surface 128 extends at an acute angle from adjacent base portion 116, preferably, for example, at about an 85 degree angle.

Annular rim 118 has generally inwardly directed annular groove 134. The side walls or annular groove 134 extend generally toward bottom surface 124 with the opening of annular groove 134 facing inwardly and upwardly as shown in FIG. 5.

Adjacent to annular groove 134 are annular upper rim 136 and annular lower rim lip 138.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, both upper rim lip 136 and lower rim lip 138 extend generally inwardly and upwardly at an angle acute to dome base portion 116. This lip configuration serves to grip the cervix wall and helps keep the cervical cap in position over the cervix as an alternate embodiment to the configuration shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

It is preferred that the cervical cap of the present invention be constructed of a sperm-impermeable, tear-resistant medical elastomer, such as a silicone rubber, and formed by liquid injection molding. Other suitable materials, such as RTV thermoplastic that can be molded thin enough to be form-conforming and pliant may also be employed. The angled loop is also preferably made of the same elastomeric material as the dome and rim portions, providing similar thinness and pliability.

Preferred materials include a 40 durometer silicone, such as Silastic Q4840 (Dow Corning) or Silicone 4040 (Bayer). When thinly molded, these materials allow for up to a 600% stretch of the molded product.

This material may or may not be impregnated with biologically active components. These components may include, but are not limited to, spermicides,

antibiotics, antifungals, and hormonal replacements. For example, to increase its contraceptive effect, the cervical cap of the present invention may be pre-treated by coating or impregnating its surface with spermicidal agents during manufacture.

The biologically active components may also assist in fertilization, or may be mixed with sperm within the hollow body of the dome of the cap in order to achieve the desired result. The use of biologically active materials may stimulate sperm motility, prolong the active life of the sperm or aid in gender selection. Selectively eliminating or altering the behavior of some sperm by significantly changing the pH may bias the activity of the X or Y sperm, resulting in odds which favor one particular sex over the other. These components may be released therefrom in an amount effective to achieve its purpose during use.

Although the description as set forth is in conjunction with human subjects, it will be further appreciated that the claimed products may be readily adaptable for use with animal subjects having a cervix.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiments of the invention disclosed are well calculated to provide the advantages and features above stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation, and change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.