Claims for Patent: 5,269,321

Summary for Patent: 5,269,321

Title:	Retrievable pessary
Abstract:	A retrievable pessary for intravaginal or intrarectal use comprises a solid body comprising a pharmaceutically active ingredient; a net pouch which encloses the body; and a withdrawal cord attached to the pouch to enable the pessary to be withdrawn after use.
Inventor(s):	MacDonald; Ishbel A. (Glasgow, GB6), Muddle; Andrew G. (Strathaven, GB6), MacFarlane; Lindesay R. (Glasgow, GB6)
Assignee:	Controlled Therapeutics (Scotland) Ltd. (Glasgow, GB6)
Application Number:	07/913,245
Patent Claims:	1. A retrievable pessary for intravaginal or intrarectal use which comprises: an elongate solid body formed of a water-swellable hydrogel and comprising a pharmacologically active ingredient adapted to be released in a controlled manner from said solid body, said solid body being non-biodegradable and non-erodible such that said solid body is not dispersed inside the patient during use; and a net retaining means formed of a biologically acceptable material, said net retaining means integrally formed by knitting, said net retaining means comprising: a longitudinally extending knitted pouch portion enclosing said solid body, said knitted pouch portion being stretchable so as to accommodate swelling of said water-swellable hydrogel body during use from an initial state to a swollen state, said knitted pouch portion having a first end and a second end opposite said first end, said second end being closed; and an elongate extension integrally formed with said knitted pouch portion and extending from said first end of said pouch portion, said extension constituting an elongate retrieval means to enable said pessary to be withdrawn from the vagina or rectal cavity after use, said elongate retrieval means being in the form of a tape; said knitted pouch portion having a slot in a wall thereof, said slot allowing insertion of said solid body into said pouch portion, said slot extending longitudinally along said pouch portion, said slot located adjacent to said second closed end of said pouch portion such that said solid water-swellable hydrogel body is retained in said pouch portion as said solid body swells from said initial state to said swollen state. 2. The pessary according to claim 1 wherein said pharmacologically active ingredient is capable of being systemically absorbed into the patient. 3. The pessary according to claim 1 wherein said elongate solid body is lozenge shaped.