COURTESY CUPS, LLC — Department of Defense STTR Phase I: X22D-OTCSO1

Description

The Tablet Disinfection is accomplished by an effervescent tablet using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), an effective disinfectant  against a number of organisms that can cause vaginal infections in women. The use of H2O2 enables the menstrual cup to be disinfected effectively at lower temperatures, thereby eliminating the need for an energy source, and even using non-sterile or gray water. In order to deliver an effective dose of 0.1% H2O2 the tablet weighs 2.2 grams, measures 18 mm in diameter by 6 mm in height.  Initial tests show the sodium percarbonate tablets are very stable when tested in 54°C accelerated storage stability ovens. There were no changes in the product resulting in any quality concerns. The tablets were also tested in plastic freezer bags with no other packaging protection; hardness values minorly increased, but there were no signs of swelling, no loss of H2O2 content, and no significant increase in dissolution time.    The Neutralizer Despite its superior disinfecting capabilities, hydrogen peroxide can be an irritant, particularly in contact with mucosal surfaces. In the contact lens industry, they have overcome this problem by using a platinum disk that catalyzes the decomposition of a hydrogen peroxide solution to H2O over time. The catalyst accelerates the decomposition of the H2O2, while preliminary data suggests that it does not dramatically reduce the bacterial death rate (KD) in the disinfection of the menstrual cups. The platinum disk is designed for multiple uses, minimizing the need to carry extra components for proper cleansing.    The Case The Courtesy Cups disinfection case is a compact menstrual cup case, measuring 60 by 75 mm and about the size of a mini can of soda. The case is lightweight, under 50 grams, it’s leakproof and sturdy. Because of Courtesy Cups' unique sanitizing tablet system, the case does not require the additional weight of heavy batteries or extra water and it doesn’t need to be plugged into an outlet – perfect for women in austere environments, but useful for women in any environment. The Courtesy Cups system uses 78% less water when compared to rinsing with drinking water and 135% less water than boiling with a camping cookpot, which is important for women in austere environments with limited access to water.   The Courtesy Cups cleaning system has compartmentalized sections that allow for cleaning, drying, and storage of the menstrual cup. The case has three components: top, middle, and bottom which combine in a cylindrical form. The top segment f is where the cup is sanitized, it’s filled with a small amount of potable water and the tablet is added. The middle segment serves as a connection for the entire menstrual cup case. It also contains the tablets, keeping them dry and clean. The bottom segment functions as a dry storage compartment for the cup.