INTRAUTERINE CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICE

• US 3,703,896 A
• Filed: 12/29/1970
• Issued: 11/28/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Koch Membrane Systems, Inc. (KOCH Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Elie S. Nuwayser
• Inventors: Nuwayser, Elie S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Trapp, Lawrence W.
• Application Number:
  US05/102,363
• Time in Patent Office: 700 Days
• Field of Search: 128/130,131,127,82.1
• US Class Current: 128/839
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 6/142 Wirelike structures, e.g. loops, rings, spirals

Abstract

A three-dimensional intrauterine contraceptive device which conforms in an infinite manner to the internal geometric shape of the uterine cavity. The device is comprised of a plurality of resilient interconnected rib-like members which define a generally cylindrical-type shape. The device is inserted into the uterine cavity in a compressed condition. Upon release from a holder the device expands outwardly engaging the walls of the uterine cavity to provide an effective contraceptive device.

Claims

1. A three-dimensional intrauterine contraceptive device, which device comprises:

a plurality of elongated members forming an elongated loop, successive members joined at alternate ends to form said elongated loop, the members adapted to engage and conform in a resiliant manner to the wall of the uterine cavity, the members defining therebetween a fluid-flow zone open at each end, and comprising an upper and a lower zone, the zone facilitating the passage of menstrual fluids during the monthly cycle, the members of the upper fluid zone adapted to engage and contact directly the area of the uterotubal junction, while the members of the lower fluid zone are adapted to avoid contact with the cervical os.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said members form a continuous sinusoidal wall about the periphery of the three-dimensional device.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the loop members of the device form a funnel-shaped fluid-flow zone.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the loop members are arcuate in form and define a globe-like fluid-flow zone.

5. The device of claim 1 which includes means to remove the device from the uterine cavity.

6. The device of claim 1 which includes loop members comprising an inert synthetic polymeric material.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein said loop members comprise a metal known to reduce the incidence of pregnancy.

8. The device of claim 1 which includes a screen-like fabric material secured to at least a portion of the device.

9. The device of claim 8 which includes a screen-like fabric material secured across the upper or lower opening of the fluid-flow zone.

10. The device of claim 8 wherein the screenlike fabric material is secured to the loop members to form all or a portion of the peripheral wall of the device.

11. A three-dimensional intrauterine device which comprises a plurality of elongated loop members in generally sinusoidal form, said members adapted to engage and conform in a resilient manner to the walls of the uterine cavity, the loop members defining a generally funnel-shaped fluid-flow zone open at each end and comprising an upper and a lower zone, said members of the upper zone adapted to engage and to contact directly the area of the uterotubal junction, while the members of the lower fluid zone are adapted to avoid contact with the cervical os.

12. The device of claim 11 which includes a screen-like inert fabric material secured to at least a portion of the device.

13. The device of claim 11 which includes a screen-like fabric secured across the upper or lower ends of the fUnnel-shaped fluid-flow zone.

14. The device of claim 11 which includes a screen-like fabric secured to the loop members in a continuous manner about the wall of the device as defined by said members.

15. The device of claim 11 wherein the members comprise an inert synthetic polymeric material or stainless steel.

16. The device of claim 11 which includes a filament means to remove the device, the filament means interwoven between the lower loop members and adapted to reduce the diameter of the lower portion of the device when tension is applied to said filament, thereby permitting the removal of the device from the intrauterine cavity.

17. The method of preventing pregnancy by the employment of an intrauterine contraceptive device, which device includes a plurality of resilient loop members, which method comprises:

a. inserting the device in a compressed condition into the uterine cavity;

b. expanding the device in the uterine cavity to provide a plurality of elongated members forming an elongated loop, successive members joined at alternate ends to form said elongated loop, the members forming a fluid-flow zone open at each end comprising an upper zone and a lower zone, the upper zone having the same or a greater flow size than the lower zone; and

c. contacting the area about the uterotubal junction with the loop members defining the upper end of the fluid zone while avoiding contact with the cervical os of the lower and of the loop members defining the lower fluid-flow zone, thereby permitting the passage of menstrual fluid through the fluid-flow zone between said members, the members on expansion engaging and conforming in a resiliant manner to the wall of the uterine cavity.

18. The method of claim 17 which includes the step of removing the device from the uterine cavity by reducing the diameter of the lower portion of the members in the lower fluid-flow zone by the application of tension.

19. The method of claim 17 which includes inserting a screen-like fabric material across at least a portion of the fluid-flow zone, the fabric providing for the passage of menstrual fluid therethrough by limiting the diameter of the loop members at the lower end of the fluid-flow zone.

20. The method of claim 17 which includes securing a screen-like fabric material about the wall of the device as defined by the loop members.

21. The method of claim 17 which includes the step of providing a funnel-shaped fluid-flow zone formed by the loop members.

22. The method of claim 17 which includes forming the loop members into a globe-like structure wherein the upper and lower ends of the fluid-flow zone are similar in flow diameter and the loop members are arcuate in form.