Kimberly-clark Worldwide, Inc.

Peter Michael Radovanovich

MaryAnn Zunker

Earle Harry Sherrod

A method for alleviating female urinary incontinence especially during episodes of increased intra-abdominal pressure is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a non-absorbent urinary incontinence device having an initial cross-sectional area, an insertion end and a trailing end. The urinary incontinence device also contains a compressed resilient member which is capable of increasing the cross-section area of the urinary incontinence device when expanded. The urinary incontinence device is inserted into a woman's vagina with the insertion end entering first. The vagina is a canal with an inner periphery made up of right and left lateral walls, an anterior wall and a posterior wall. The urinary incontinence device is inserted such that it contacts at least two of the walls. The urinary incontinence device is positioned in the middle third of the length of the vaginal canal with the insertion end aligned adjacent to a woman's urethral sphincter muscle. The urethral sphincter muscle is a part of the urethral tube. The urinary incontinence device cooperates with a woman's symphysis pubis to sandwich the urethral tube therebetween. The resilient member is allowed to expand within the vaginal canal such that at least a portion of the urinary incontinence device increases in cross-sectional area and contacts all four interior walls of the vaginal canal and provides a supportive backdrop for the urethral tube. The urethral tube is then permitted to be compressed upon itself between the urinary incontinence device and the symphysis pubis thereby limiting involuntary urine flow.

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Neenah, WI, United States of America

Peter Michael Radovanovich