Intravaginal anchoring device

Abstract

This invention relates to an improved device for intravaginal implantation in mammalian females characterized by an axially-extending hub encircled at both ends by a plurality of radially-extending springable spine-like fingers defining multi-pointed stars, the two stars being so located relative to one another and to the hub linking them together that no portion of the hub is left accessible to the vaginal wall musculature to a degree which will allow contortions thereof to expel the device while, at the same time, leaving sufficient hub exposed between the stars to receive and hold a small object no longer than it is nested within the fingers in protected relation.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In a device for intravaginal implantation in mammalian females which includes an axially-extending hub having an anterior end and a posterior end and being encircled by a ring having a plurality of radially-extending springable spine-like fingers thereon, said ring cooperating with said hub to define a multi-pointed star, an improvement consisting of an anterior star having a ring located substantially flush with said hub anterior end and a posterior star having a ring located substantially flush with said hub posterior end, said posterior star being in axially-spaced relation to said anterior star to leave a section of said hub exposed between said stars, the fingers of both stars being shaped to spring forwardly into folded relation in response to a radially-directed pressure exerted upon the ends thereof remote from the hub, and the length of the fingers on the posterior star in relation to said exposed hub section being such that when the posterior star fingers are sprung forwardly into folded relation along the exposed hub section said fingers overlie the exposed length of said hub and are effective to prevent engagement between the exposed hub section and the vaginal musculature. 
     
     
       2. The improved intravaginal device of claim 1 wherein the hub and fingers of the stars at opposite extremities thereof cooperate to define means for anchoring a small object no longer than the hub in nested protective relation among the fingers. 
     
     
       3. The improved intravaginal device of claim 1 wherein additional rings of radially-extending spring-like fingers emanate from the hub defining at least one additional star located intermediate the stars on the extremities of the hub. 
     
     
       4. The improved intravaginal device of claim 1 wherein the overall axial length is substantially less than the radius of the circle defined by the stars. .Iadd. 
     
     
       5.  The device of claim 1, wherein said fingers define openings such that fluids can freely pass therethrough, and wherein said device further comprises a biasing means to urge said fingers forward, a means for retaining a telemetry device for transmitting data from said vagina to a remote receiving station, and said telemetry device retained by said retaining means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.6. The device of claim 5 wherein said telemetry device is retained in between said expandable members. .Iaddend. .Iadd.7. The device of claim 5 wherein said telemetry device comprises a temperature sensing means, whereby at least intravaginal temperature data are transmitted to said remote receiving station. .Iaddend. .Iadd.8. A system of monitoring intravaginal data of a plurality of livestock animals comprising said remote receiving station and a plurality of the devices of claim 5 disposed on a range intravaginally within said animals. .Iaddend. .Iadd.9. The system of claim 8 wherein said telemetry device comprises a temperature sensing means, whereby at least intravaginal temperature data are transmitted to said remote receiving station. .Iaddend.