Intra uterine device

• US 10,639,188 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2017
• Issued: 05/05/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: OCON Medical Ltd
• Original Assignee: OCON Medical Ltd
• Inventors: Bar-Am, Ilan
• Primary Examiner(s): Rodriquez, Kari K
• Application Number:
  US15/665,293
• Publication Number:
  US 20180014965A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,009 Days
• Field of Search: 128830-833, 128839, 128840, 606191, 606193-194, 604530, 604285
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12022 Occluding by internal devices, e.g. balloons or releasable wires plugging an opening in the wall of an organ A61B17/0057; occluders for the cervical canal A61F6/146; vas deferens occluders A61F6/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12099 characterised by the location of the occluder
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12145 having a pre-set deployed three-dimensional shape methods of manufacturing A61B2017/00526
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/42 Gynaecological or obstetrical instruments or methods ligaturing clamps or clips for the umbilical cord A61B17/122; curettage A61B17/320708; dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00867 shape memory effect for prostheses A61F2210/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1205 Introduction devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 6/142 Wirelike structures, e.g. loops, rings, spirals
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 6/18 Inserters or removers ; Apparatus for loading an intra-uterine device into an insertion tube

Abstract

The present invention discloses an Intra Uterine Ball (IUB) device useful for a gynecological procedure or treatment. The aforesaid device comprises a hollow sleeve for at least partial insertion into the uterine cavity; and, an elongate conformable member with at least a portion comprised of shape memory alloy. The elongate member is adapted to be pushed out from said sleeve within said uterine cavity. It is the core of the invention that the elongate member is adapted to conform into a predetermined three dimensional ball-like configuration within said uterine cavity following its emergence from said sleeve, such that expulsion from said uterine cavity, malposition in said uterine cavity, and perforation of the uterine walls is prevented.

Claims

1. A device positionable within the uterine cavity comprising a wire having two free ends and at least two loop-like structures formed between said free ends, wherein a first loop is approximately perpendicular with, and positioned through, a second loop thereby forming a three dimensional structure, wherein when said three dimensional structure is positioned in the uterine cavity said two free ends of said wire reside within the uterine cavity and said three dimensional structure is capable of elastically contracting and expanding in response to contraction and expansion of the uterine cavity.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said wire is linearizable by pulling a free end of said two free end through a tube.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said wire is coated with a contraceptive agent.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein said contraceptive agent is copper or a contraceptive hormone.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said three dimensional structure has a diameter of about 10 mm to about 15 mm.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said wire is composed of Nitinol.

7. A method of positioning a device in a uterine cavity comprising:

(a) providing a device formed from a wire having two free ends and at least two loop-like structures between said free ends, wherein a first loop is approximately perpendicular with, and positioned through, a second loop thereby forming a three dimensional structure capable of elastically contracting and expanding in response to contraction and expansion of a uterine cavity; and

(b) pulling a free end of said two free ends through a delivery sleeve thereby linearizing the device; and

(c) positioning one end of said delivery sleeve at an opening to said uterine cavity and delivering said wire into a uterine cavity such that said two free ends reside within the uterine cavity to thereby form said three dimensional structure in said uterine cavity.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein at least a portion of said wire is coated with a contraceptive agent.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said contraceptive agent is copper or a contraceptive hormone.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein said three dimensional structure has a diameter of about 10 mm to about 15 mm.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein said wire is composed of Nitinol.