US3934575A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tampon device to test for micro-organisms
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-08-23
•
Granted: 1976-01-27
•
Expires: 1994-08-23
Abstract
Abstract For use in testing for the presence of micro-organisms, a tampon, and a plurality of devices incorporated therein, said devices each include a culture medium for promoting the growth of micro-organisms and a carrier means for carrying the culture medium.
Inventors
- 👤 Louis Bucalo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 10:06
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B10/00; A61B10/0045; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/20; A61F13/2051; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B2017/320004; A61B2017/320012
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
For use in testing for the presence of micro-organisms, a tampon of a type which could be inserted into the vagina during the menstrual cycle, and at least one device embedded within and surrounded by the tampon, said device including a culture medium for promoting the growth of micro-organisms and a carrier means carrying the culture medium and rendering the latter accessible to fluids absorbed by the tampon for growing in the culture medium micro-organisms present in the fluids.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
79 words
For use in testing for the presence of micro-organisms, a tampon of a type which could be inserted into the vagina during the menstrual cycle, and at least one device embedded within and surrounded by the tampon, said device including a culture medium for promoting the growth of micro-organisms and a carrier means carrying the culture medium and rendering the latter accessible to fluids absorbed by the tampon for growing in the culture medium micro-organisms present in the fluids.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination of claim 1 and wherein a plurality of said devices are embedded within and surrounded by the said tampon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination of claim 2 and wherein the culture mediums of said plurality of devices respectively have different compositions indicating the presence of different micro-organisms.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination of claim 2 and wherein said plurality of devices are longitudinally distributed along said tampon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
73 words
The combination of claim 1 and wherein the carrier means includes a compressed body of filamentary material surrounded by the culture medium and having the latter situated in interstices within the compressed body of filamentary material and said carrier means further including an outer frame surrounding and holding the compressed body of filamentary material and the culture medium and formed with openings through which micro-organisms will have free access to the culture medium.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB349885A
Cited
US2301868A
Cited
US2905169A
Cited
US3086527A
Cited
US3282114A
Cited
US3368549A
Cited
US3386441A
Cited
US3509872A
Cited
US3589983A
Cited
US3817839A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-01-26 | 1979-07-28 | 1980-01-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-01-26 | 1983-07-28 | 1984-01-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-01-26 | 1987-07-28 | 1988-01-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |