Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SENSORY TRANSMITTING MEMBRANE DEVICE
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
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The present invention is directed to a
device useful in the transmission of tactile
sensations. In particular, the invention concerns
a protective type material wherein acute tactile
sensations are transmltted from one side of the
material to the other. More particularly the
invention is directed to a novel constructlon for
prophylactic devices such as surgical gloves and
condoms.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The usefulness 9 indeed, ur~ent need for the
use of condoms, particularly in casual sexual
-~ 15 activi~ies is well established and documente~.
Notwithstanding cogent pathological reasons ~or the
use of condoms, sexual partners in general, have
been reluctant to use such devices. Most often the
refusal to use condoms is based on the loss of
tactile sensation by one or both partners during
copulation when the~penis is sheathed with the type
condom~ presen~ly available. Of no less importance
than ~he desirability of preventing the loss of
tactile sensation by the use of condoms in sexual
intercourse is the prevention of loss of tactile
sensations when using gloves in procedures
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requiring aseptic conditions, for example, surgery,
particularly where visual perception of the field
of proceclure is limited.
It may well be appreciated the desirabillty
of having a device which7 in addition to beln~
impervious to the passage of either pathogens or
sperm, will not cause the loss of tactile
sensations, and generally enhance the sensory
perception of the user. The principal thru~t of
the art has long been the discovery of a
prophylactic device by which the sensory perception
of the user wlll minimally achieve the normal
tactile sensation of an unsheathed organ.
Unfortunately, none of the devices known in the art
` 15 have been successful.
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Numerous constructions have been proposed
for devices to improve the transmission of sensory
sensation in a prophylactically sheathed organ as
shown for example in U.S. Patent No. 3,809,090 to
Povlacs et al. wherein is disclosed a condom having
rigid projections on the outer surface~ Such
devices are lntended to provide mechanical
stimulatioll hy one side of the prophylactic device
rather than enabling transmission of sensory
perceptions. Moreover, such rigid de~ices suffer
the disadvantage of often causing severe irritation
to delicate tissues.
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In accordance with the invention, there is
provided a device which enables the two-way
transmission of tactile sensation and perception
throu~h the pellicle of prophylactic devices æuch
as condoms, finger cots, and gloves used in sterile
operations which, not only enables the tactile
sensation of an unsheathed organ, but also
amplifies the transmission of the tactile sensation
through the prophylactic device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a device for
enabling and enhancing the transmission of tactile
sensations across a prophylactic membrane barrier.
In accordance with the invention, there is provided
a plurality of pairs of shaped projections spaccd
apart and arranged to form, juxtaposed or apposing
pairs, integralIy formed with, and coaxially
- e~tendin~ from, the opposite sldes of a base,
prophylactically impermeable, flexible sheet
material or pellicle. In a sheet material or
pellicle. In a preferred embodlment, the
projection pairs are generally cylindrical in
shape. It will be appreciated that in the
preferred embodlment, and particularly for
manufacture of the condoms and gloves o~ the
invention, the prophylactically impermeable sheet
; material is of thin, la~ex rubber or other inert
elastomeric material. In the device of the
1 3 1 0~38
invention, whenever any force acts on one of the
projections of a projection-pair, the flexible base
material or pellicle allows motion of its antipodal
projection by serving as a fulcrum for pivoting and
moving the projection. In addition~ whenever any
force having a component perpendicular to the base
material acts on one member of a projection-pair,
the flexible material will allow perpendicular
-~ motion of the apposing projection by stretching of
the pellicle. Other motions such as vibratory and
rotational are transmitted between the antipodal
projection-pairs in a similar manner.
It will be perceived hereinafter from the
description and drawlngs of the device that any
force acting on and causing motion of one member of
an antipodal projection-pair on either side of the
1exible material will result in, if unobstructed,
a corollary or opposite motion of its apposite or
antipodal projection member. In the device of the
lnvention, complex motions, for example, vibratory
and rotatory~ are also transmitted between
projection-pairs. The sizes and dimensions of the
antipodal pairs of projections is determined by
intended use o the material. The invention not
only minimally allows transmission of tactile
sensations across the barrier material,
substantially as in the contactlng of two surfaces
without the interposition of a barrier material~
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but also amplifies the transmission of tactile
sens~tions through the plurality of unitary,
separa~e and distinct contact points indivldually
responding to the most subtle movement or anomaly.
Condoms of the inventive device provide
transmission of the most delicate of movement by
contacting organs, for example, either penis or
vagina during intercourse. Where the device is a
~ surgical glove, the transmission of ~actile sensory
; lO perception of anatomical anomalies is enabled
; during operational procedures, particularly when
the field of sight is limited as during surgery.
It will be appreciated that the actual motlon,
intensity, and sensitivity transmitted between
antipodal pairs of the invention depend upon many
variables, for example, magnitude, direction and
duration of force, size of anomaly, pellicle
material, thickness of pellicle, pattern, spacing,
size and shape of the projections. Embodiments of
the invention provlde different shapes for the
projection pair members including concave-ended
cylindrical, conical, flat-ended cylindrical, and
beveled spherical and combinations thereof which
different shapes may be used to enhance the tactile
transmissions of particular movements or anomalies
as the case may be.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
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FIGURE 1 is a representational fragmentary,
perspective view of the device of the invention
: illustrating the rounded-end, cylindrically-shaped
coaxial pairs of projections extending on both
sides of the pellicle.
FIGURE 2 is a view of the device of Figure
1 In operatlon lllustrating movement of the
pro~jections responsive to forces applied to a
single projection of an apposing pair of
projections.
FIGURE 3 is a representational fragmentary,
cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the
invention where the projections of each pair of
~: 15 coaxial projections are of unequal length.
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FIGURE 4 is a representational fragmPntary,
cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the
invention wherein various coaxial pairs of
projections flre constructed at different angles
with respect to the pellicle and each other.
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FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional vlew of an
embodiment of the device o the invention
comprising a doubled wall base membrane material.
.
FIGURE 6 illustrates different shapes of
projections which may be used in embodiments of the
invention.
FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary view of a condom
of the invention.
FIGURE 8 is a cross-section taken on lines
a-a of the condom of Figure 7.
FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary view of another
~ condom embodiment of the invention.
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~ DET~ILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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Referring to the drawings, particularly
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,~ 6, 7 and 8, in which like
parts or elements have the same number, there is
shown a device having a flexible base material,
pellicle, or barrier membrane 2 through which
; extends a plurality of coaxial pairs of projections
4 integrally molded therewith. The device ls
preferab]y formed of a single, homogenous
~ prophylac~ically impervious, elastomeric material.
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Referri.ng particularly to Flgure 1, the
projections 4 consist of coaxial pairs of
projections 4F. and 4G. The projections illustrated
In Figure 1 are in the undisturbed or rest
position. Figure 2 illustrates the responsive
movement and direction of movement of antipodal
pair members 4E and 4G of Figure 1 when a force f
is applied from different directions to one
projection of an apposed pair, In the illustration
of Figure 2, the force f, direction of the force
indicated by arrows, is shown applied horizontally
to one projection, vertically downward to another
projection and vertically upward to another. The
direction of the responsive movement m of a
projection to the force f applied to it~ apposing
member is indi.cated by arrows.
In Figure 3, there is shown an embodiment
of the invention wherein the length of one
projection of each pair 4 differs from its apposing
2~ member. Still another embodiment of the invention
is illustrated in Figure 4 wherein antipodal pairs
4J and 4K are shown constructed at opposing angles
to each other and at an angular orientation with
respect to vertically disposed pairs 4M and 4N.
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It will be appreciated that in a condom of
the invention, each apposing projection pair may be
constructed at varying angles with respect to
adjacent projection pairs to bring about the
; 5 simultaneous transmission of multiple and varying
tactile sensations across the barrier membrane ln
both directions responsive to varying movements and
contours of tissues contacting either side of the
device. This construction and the construction
illustrated in Figure 3 is very useful in, for
example, the surgical glove embodiment of the
invention whereby a magnification, or concentrated,
tactile response is transmitted to the fingertips
by physical anomalies such as tumors.
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.: 15 Referrlng specifically.to Figure 5 3 there~
is illustrated an embodiment of the invention in
~ which the flexible base material is double-walled
;~ comprising separate and parallel barrier membranes
2 and 6. Projection pairs 4 extend through both
: ~0 membrane members. Membrane members 2 and 6 move
generally independent of each other. The effect of
such construction is that each antipodal pair
member will move in the same direction as the
direction of the force applied to its apposing
pro~ection member as shown by arrows, designated
respectively as f and m, indicating force and
: direction applied to a projection and the
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direction of movement of its apposing member. A
lubricant material may be sealed wlthln the space
formed by the parallel membranes to facilitate
movement between the pair of pellicles and prevent
drag therebetween.
As mentioned hereinbefore, the projection
members of the device may be shapes other than
cylindrically-shaped havlng convex ends. As
illustrated in Figure 6, other projection shapes
are shown as numerals 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12. It will
be observed that the apposing projection members of
each antipodal pair is shown to have a different
shape, and it will be understood that such
differences in shape will not affect the responsive
movement of a projection member to a force applied
to the apposing projection. Difference in shape
may be used to magnify, augment, or change sensory
transmission in accordance with the various uses
for which the device of the invention is used.
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In Figures 7 and 8, there is shown an
embodiment of a condom 10 of the invention having
an impermeable, elastromeric pellicle 2, a closed
head portion 12 and a cylindrical body portion 14 7
terminating in an open-end portion 16. A plurality
f continuous coaxial pairs of projections 4 extend
through the body portion 14 and head portion 12.
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The condom is formed of a unitary material in which
the pro~ec~ions are integrally formed. The
pro~ection pairs 4 are intermittently spaced in the
body 14 and head portion 12. It will be understood
that the number and spacing of the coaxial pairs is
a matter of choice; however~ in the embodiment
illustrated the projections are disposed in spiral
rows and in vertical alignment over substantially
the entire body portion 14 and head portion 12 of
the condom. The open-ended portion 16 is free of
projections to insure a tight fit of the condom
about the base of the penis, or the base of the
fingers ln a finger cot to prevent leakage o
seminal discharges, or transmission of disease
organisms. In a preferred embodiment of a condom
as illustrated by Figure 9s the cylindrically-
shaped head portion 12 and body portion 14, are
larger in diameter than the open-end portion 16
which, as previously mentioned is designed to
tlghtly enclose the base of the penis. The larger
diameter of the body and head portions allow the
condom to act much as a foreskin in an uncir-
cumcised penis allowing the pellicle 2 to slide up
and down along the surface of a penis with
consequent provision of a more flexible and mobile
~: fulcrum for enhancing the movement of the antipodal
projections. An increased diameter of the order of
2mm to 4mm provides excellent results. It will be
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appreciated that the glove embodiments of the
invention may be similarly constructed.
As pointed out hereinbefore~ the device o
~he invention is formed of a unitary prophylac-
tlcally, impermeable elastomeric material, for
example~ latex or rubber~ which is highly flexible
and elastic. The elastomeric material is
preferably of a uniform thickne 5S throughout the
projections~ solid as opposed to hollow. The
integral construction of the device of the
`~ invention including the pellicle and projections
; thereon, ~ay be manufactured using any of the well
known molding processes of the art. By way of
example, the device may be formed by an injection
molding technique using a die comprising a
one-piece in~ernal mandrell and a plurality of
external segments. The external segments may be
manually xemoved and stripping or air injection
used to remove the molded device from the internal
mandrell. As measured from the in~ernal and
external surfaces of the pellicle~ the minimum
internal and/or external projection heights o~ the
projection pairs is about 0.15mm, but the preferred
height is approximately 1.5mm. The minimum
~5 effective diameter of the projections is O.lmm
while the preferred diameter ls about I.Omm. The
preferred spacing between the projections is about
3mm and the maximum spacing about 5mm. For
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maximum stimulation the projections cover
substantially the entire surfaces of the head
~ portion 12 and body portion 14 of a condom.
:~ It will be obvious to those skilled in the
art from reading the description of the invention
that numerous modifications and changes may be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention~
What is claimed is:
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