Process for intra-uterine fertilization in mammals and device for implementation thereof
First Claim
1. Process of intra-uterine fertilization in mammals comprising the following stepsa) providing a container of a size suitable for introduction and lodging in the uterine cavity of a mammal and having an exit area;
- b) filling the container with culture medium, at least one ovocyte of the mammal and spermatozoa;
c) introducing and lodging the filled container in the uterine cavity;
d) leaving the container lodged in the uterine cavity for a specified period of time to allow fertilization of the at least one ovocyte therein; and
e) accessing the uterine cavity through the exit area of the container without removal of the container from the uterine cavity to enable transfer of the at least one fertilized ovocyte through the exit area into the uterine cavity without removal of the at least one fertilized ovocyte from the uterine cavity between fertilization and transfer.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The fertilization process comprises the following steps: a) a container (15) which can be introduced into, and lodged in, the uterine cavity of the mammal is provided; b) the container (15) is filled with a culture medium, at least one ovocyte of the mammal, and spermatozoa; c) the filled container (15) is inserted in the uterine cavity; d) the container (15) is left for a given length of time to allow fertilization of the ovocyte(s) to take place; e) the contents of the container (15) are released into the uterine cavity. The container may be made from a tube of biodegradable or non-biodegradable material. In the latter case, it is associated with a stiffening device. A biodegradable container (15) filled with gametes and a culture medium is placed in the uterine cavity using an implantation device (20) which is then withdrawn from the mammal'"'"'s genital tract.
97 Citations
36 Claims
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1. Process of intra-uterine fertilization in mammals comprising the following steps
a) providing a container of a size suitable for introduction and lodging in the uterine cavity of a mammal and having an exit area; -
b) filling the container with culture medium, at least one ovocyte of the mammal and spermatozoa; c) introducing and lodging the filled container in the uterine cavity; d) leaving the container lodged in the uterine cavity for a specified period of time to allow fertilization of the at least one ovocyte therein; and e) accessing the uterine cavity through the exit area of the container without removal of the container from the uterine cavity to enable transfer of the at least one fertilized ovocyte through the exit area into the uterine cavity without removal of the at least one fertilized ovocyte from the uterine cavity between fertilization and transfer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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- 9. Device for intra-uterine fertilization in mammals comprising container means sized for introduction and lodging in the uterine cavity of a mammal and for containing a culture medium and at least one ovocyte of the mammal and spermatozoa while introduced into and lodged in the uterine cavity of the mammal for a time period sufficient to allow fertilization of the at least one ovocyte, said container means including means for defining an exit area to allow access to the uterine cavity from the container means without removal thereof from the uterine cavity and enabling transfer of the at least one fertilized ovocyte from the container means into the uterine cavity without removal thereof from the uterine cavity between fertilization and transfer.
- 23. Device for intra-uterine fertilization in mammals comprising a tube means sized for introduction through the neck of the uterine cavity of the mammal into the uterine cavity and for accommodating culture medium, at least one ovocyte and spermatozoa of the mammal while lodged in the uterine cavity for a time sufficient to allow for fertilization of the at least one ovocyte therein, piston means disposed proximate one end of the tube means, said piston means being mounted for sliding movement towards the other end of the tube means, holding means for removably holding the device in the neck of the uterine cavity and for lodging the tube means in the uterine cavity, and means proximate the other end of the tube means adapted to face the back of the uterine cavity for defining an exit area to allow access to the uterine cavity without removing the tube means from the uterine cavity and enabling transfer of the at least one fertilized ovocyte from the tube means into the uterine cavity without removal thereof from the uterine cavity between fertilization and transfer, said piston means being movable toward the other end to expel the at least one fertilized ovocyte from said tube means.
Specification