Treating conditions caused by abnormal growth of pathogens in body cavities

Abstract

A cooling device and method inhibit the infectious growth of pathogens in a body cavity, primarily to cure VulvoVaginal Candidiasis (VVC) and Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) in the vagina, and to reduce biofilms. The device has a shell having an internal chamber containing a freezable or cooling filler that reduces the body cavity temperature. The device may be comprised of an optional coating compound (agent) covering at least a portion of an outer surface of the shell and an optional stainless steel sleeve that covers the shell or optional stainless steel particles that are impregnated into the shell material to enhance both thermal conductance and cooling efficacy. Pathogenic biofilms dissolve and bacteria colony counts decrease at lowered temperatures in body cavities, and infectious, temperature sensitive organisms (fungi, yeast, bacteria, viruses, parasites, and protozoans) become dormant, change morphology, or cease growing under the same lowered body cavity temperatures.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 14 / 059,843, filed on 22 Oct. 2013, which is a continuation-in-part of, and claims the benefit of priority from, U.S. Ser. No. 13 / 637,496, filed on 26 Sep. 2012, which in turn is a national stage entry of PCT / US11 / 30052, which was filed on 25 Mar. 2011, which in turn is a non-provisional designating the US of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61 / 318,338, filed on 28 Mar. 2010, which is now expired. Each of the cited applications is incorporated by reference as if fully recited herein.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The present invention relates to a device and method for treating conditions in a body cavity caused by an overgrowth of normal flora, including Candida yeast species and certain bacteria, and / or the presence of pathogens, such as ‘filamentous’Candida yeast species, viruses, bacteria and protozoans. The invention is a cooling or temperature reducing treatment device to cure vaginal ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a device that helps treat infections caused by pathogens by cooling down the body cavity where the infection is located. This device helps disrupt the biofilm that helps these pathogens grow and cause damage. The device can also help deliver a coating compound that can further treat the infection. The device is designed to limit the spread of the compound to the surrounding tissues, reducing pain and side effects. The device includes a shell made of special particles that help with the cooling process. Overall, the invention can help treat infections and reduce the need for high dosages and durable exposure to compounds.

Problems solved by technology

In fact, it is the loss of nutrients, possibly as a result of lactobacillus (the ‘good’ bacteria) destruction from antibiotic exposure (lowering pH) that can cause yeast to ‘morph’ into their more virulent ‘filamentous’ form and become invasive, resulting in the infection known as yeast vaginitis, even at normal body temperatures.

Yeast cannot grow well under ‘cooler’ conditions, among other conditions already mentioned.

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