Intravaginal devices containing progesterone for estrus synchronization and related processes

• US 6,805,877 B2
• Filed: 06/21/2002
• Issued: 10/19/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Elastecnica Sh
• Original Assignee: Elastecnica
• Inventors: Dvoskin, Victor Oscar, Massara, Nestor Gerardo, Massara, Julio Eduardo
• Primary Examiner(s): KENNEDY, SHARON E
• Application Number:
  US10/176,801
• Publication Number:
  US 20030130558A1
• Time in Patent Office: 851 Days
• Field of Search: 424/422, 424/430, 424/432, 424/433, 128/833, 128/839, 604/890.1, 604/891.1, 604/892.1
• US Class Current: 424/430
• CPC Class Codes: A61D 7/00 Devices or methods for introducing solid, liquid, or gaseous remedies or other materials into or onto the bodies of animals for reproduction or fertilisation A61D19/00 ; devices for implanting pellets, radon seeds or the like A61M37/0069

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to devices and processes related to estrus synchronization. Particular embodiments of devices and processes of the present invention slowly release progesterone over a period of time for estrus synchronization.

Claims

1. An intravaginal device comprising:

an intravaginal anchoring system comprising a middle portion, a first opposing portion, a second opposing portion, a first branch and a second branch wherein the first and second opposing portions extend from the middle portion and the first branch extending from the middle portion at about an intersection of the first opposing portion and the middle portion and the second branch extending from the middle portion at about an intersection of the second opposing portion and the middle portion;

a chamber located about the middle portion;

at least one hole in at least one of the first opposing portion, the second opposing portion, the first branch and/or the second branch; and

,

a free space located within the anchoring system and connected to the chamber and the at least one hole.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising progesterone.

3. The device of claim 1 further comprising at least one strip on at least one of the first and second opposing portions and/or the first and/or second branch.

4. The device of claim 1 further comprising a thread attached about an end of the second portion.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the middle portion is an elongated tubular member.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the first and second opposing extend opposite from the ends of the middle portion.

7. The device of claim 5 wherein an angle at the intersection of the first opposing portion and the first branch is about 90 degrees.

8. The device of claim 1 further comprising a sheath.

9. The device of claim 1 further comprising a hollow tube for loading the device into the vagina of an organism.

10. The device of claim 1 further comprising a thread.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein at least one branch or at least one portion is larger than the respective portion or branch.

12. A process for the synchronization of an organisms estrus cycle comprising the steps of:

inserting a device into a vaginal duct of an organism comprising an intravaginal anchoring system comprising a middle portion, a first opposing portion, a second opposing portion, a first branch and a second branch wherein the first and second opposing portions extend from the middle portion and the first branch extending from the middle portion at about an intersection of the first opposing portion and the middle portion and the second branch extending from the middle portion at about an intersection of the second opposing portion and the middle portion;

a chamber located about the middle portion;

at least one hole in at least one of the first opposing portion, the second opposing portion, the first branch and/or the second branch; and

, a free space located within the anchoring system and connected to the chamber and the at least one hole;

leaving the device in the organism for between 3 and 7 days; and

,

removing the device.

13. The process of claim 12 further comprising attempting to artificially inseminate the organism after removing the device.

14. The process of claim 13 further comprising the step of reusing the device if the organism was not inseminated.

15. The process of claim 14 wherein the step of reusing the device further comprises sliding a sheath on the device.

16. The process of claim 14 wherein the step of reusing the device further comprises the injecting a medicament in the device.

17. The process of claim 12 wherein the device has a medicament.

18. The process of claim 17 wherein the medicament is progesterone.

19. An intravaginal device comprising:

a device comprising an inner duct, an external surface, at least one hole, and at least one communicating hole, wherein the at least one hole connects the inner duct to the external surface, the inner duct extending to the at least one communicating hole.

20. The device of claim 19 further comprising a medicament.

21. The device of claim 20 wherein the medicament is progesterone.

22. A process for the synchronization of an organisms estrus cycle comprising the steps of:

inserting a medicament containing device, comprising an inner duct, an external surface, at least one hole, and at least one communicating hole, wherein the at least one hole connects the inner duct to the external surface, the inner duct extending to the at least one communicating hole, into the vaginal duct of an organism, whereby the device allows progesterone to flow along two alternate paths, from the inner duct to the exterior surface of the device and towards the internal surface of the inner duct from which the medicament is able to flow to the communicating holes.

23. The process of claim 22 wherein the medicament is progesterone.