AN EXPANDABLE DOME-SHAPED URINARY INCONTINENCE DEVICE AND A METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME

摘要

An expandable dome-shaped urinary incontinence device is disclosed along wit h a method of making the device. The device includes a resilient member and a non-absorbent which at least partially encloses the resilient member. The no n- absorbent and the resilient member are formed into an elongated softwind having a first end, a second end, a first portion located adjacent to the first end, a second portion located adjacent to the second end and a third portion located between the first and second portions. The softwind is folde d upon itself, such that the first and second ends are aligned adjacent to one another and a closed loop is formed. The first and second portions are then brought together to minimize the closed loop and the third portion is transformed into a dome shape. The softwind is then compressed into an elongated pledget having an insertion end and a trailing end with the resilient member located at least in the insertion end. The resilient member is capable of expanding at least a portion of the third portion to provide support for a woman's urethra when properly inserted into a woman's vagina. The method includes the steps of enclosing the resilient member by the non- absorbent, folding the two materials to form a softwind, folding the softwin d such that a closed loop is formedand transforming the closed loop into a dom e shape, and then compressing the softwind into an elongated pledget.