DE2160063A1 - Contraceptive device - Google Patents

Description

Deposit? lan Henry William Anderson 8, Parkin Street,
Glen Iris, Victoria, Australia

Contraceptive device

The invention relates to a contraceptive device which can be used in an instrument and can be inserted into a vagina and / or uterus using this instrument,

Vaginal or uterine contraceptive devices are well known and used Commercially available in a wide variety of training courses. Although the contraceptive mechanism of this Devices are still unknown, they are generally quite reliable. The percentage of cases in which these devices are used as a contraceptive device have failed, however, it is large enough to make an increase in their reliability appear desirable. " to let.

It is therefore an object of the invention to improve reliability the one to be inserted into the uterus and / or vagina certain contraceptive devices to increase.

£ ino vcitcre The object of the invention is to to create a contraceptive device intended for insertion into the uterus and / or vagina, which has no undesirable side effects.

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Furthermore, the invention provides a method for the manufacture of contraceptive devices created.

The invention takes advantage of the discovery that the acid level along most of the vaginal wall lies in a range between pH values 5 * 5 and 4, at which value the vaginal environment kills the spermatozoa. However, near the cervix and in the cervix and in the uterus itself, the pH value is in the range of 7 to 7 * 4. These pH values fluctuate over the course of the monthly bleeding cycle. Bs has been discovered aueä that even a reliable contraceptive effect can be achieved by ^v exIndern the pH in the vicinity of the cervix and / or uterus.

The invention is that the contraceptive device is one for insertion into a human uterus, a grebe's cervix or A vagina specific body is made up of at least two electrochemically dissimilar, biologically essentially contains or consists of inert metals which cause electrochemical heating in the uterus or the vaginal environment, through which the pH value of this environment is changed or adjusted can.

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The chemically different metals can either be elements or alloys that are found in the uterus - or. The silk environment does not show any toxic effects. Furthermore, they must not lose their electrochemical effectiveness through the formation of oxide layers or through any other chemical reaction. The selected combination of metals should change the pH value of the environment, preferably to a value which is not above pH 4 but still above a value at which the acid level could irritate or damage the wall lining of the cervix or its surroundings. Preferred metal elements are silver, zinc, copper, aluminum, iron, nickel and platinum. A preferred metal alloy is silver / tin, such as that used for filling holes in teeth with a small percentage of copper added. This alloy is commercially available at all times readily available and many years of use in dentistry been proven non-toxic and essentially biological {

inert. Other possible alloys are stainless steel, such as that used for surgical instruments is used, and "Zimmaloy" (trademark of Zimmer Corporation). These two alloys show a considerable electrochemical reaction in biological ones Environments and do not exhibit any toxic

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or other side effects.

Although the exact mechanism of action of the contraceptive device of the present invention not exactly known, it can be assumed that the electrochemical reaction between the two chemically different metals, the pH value in the uterine, cervical or vaginal area changes and thus causes the killing of the spermatozoa. It is Z. B. known that the pH value in the uterus usually etwe. 7 »4 is. It is also known} that spermatozoa only last for a relatively short time can survive in an environment where the pH is not around 7 »4. It is therefore assumed that the induced change in the pH value in the vicinity of the uterus by an onset In the uterus suitable device according to the invention, the chances of survival of the spermatozoa in the The uterus is considerably reduced in size, and the contraceptive method of the invention is then used Device is based.

However, it has also been alleged that the changes in pH are not a direct result of the electrochemical reaction between the different Metals, but on a through

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the electrochemical reaction brought about change of enzymatic systems within the Q-abärrautter- or the area around the cervix are. It is therefore said that the good contraceptive effect is a result of changes in the he «'> 5ya'atic system of nidation, of the fertilized Ice or the movement of spermatozoa is.

Another theory claims that changing pH levels increases the migration of leukocytes, in particular of plasma cells, promotes to the inner surface of the uterus, being a local immunological Reaction to the device located in the uterus arises. This reaction affects Remove all foreign bodies in the uterus, including spermatozoa and the fertilized egg.

The invention has utility in a variety of forms of contraceptive devices intended to be inserted into the uterus or vagina. The most common forms of these devices intended for insertion into the uterus or vagina today are T's, rings, spirals and loops, which are made of a resilient flexible material such as plastic. B. polyethylene exist. Particularly suitable operations of this type are evident from Australian patents 283 661 and 283 678,

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although other shapes that do not require any widening of the uterine cervix, if possible, are used can.

At least two metals are used according to the invention attached to these devices by applying either metal to the surface of the devices or the "devices are thinly wrapped with the metals. Optionally, metal powder in the material from which the devices are made can be incorporated.

Preferably one has for insertion into the uterus suitable device according to the invention has a relatively large surface, so that a relatively large area of the metals exposed to the uterine environment is, and is preferably made relatively flat and small, so that the uterine walls in order to To reduce bleeding. It it is furthermore desirable that the device conforms to the shape of the uterus and consists of a flexible, flexible material so that the uterus can change shape when it contracts.

An .Example of the inventive Apparatus is shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing. The device 5 is corresponding to the basic shape the uterus is shield-shaped. It consists of a silicone suitable for medical purposes

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rubber and contains aluminum and silver-tin alloys in powder form. The device 5 is provided with a central opening δ, which both the flexibility the device increases as well as the introduction of the device into the uterus by means of the in £ ig. 2 shown Instruments 12 facilitated. At the lower end of the device 5, a tail 7 is attached, which consists of a thread suitable for surgical purposes aua z. B. Daoron (Trademark) exists. The tail 7 can be formed in one piece with the rest of the device or attached to it to be welded

The instrument 12 is made of stainless steel and has a curved lind section 13 and a thickened end 14. In the end section 13, near the thickened end 14, there is a "tiny slit 16" with a width of 1 mm, essentially the Thickness of the device 5 corresponds. A aweiter angularly extending slot 17 is seen in i a "certain distance from the end 14 la instrument 12 pre ·

For use, the end section 13 of the instrument 12 is pushed through the opening 6 of the device so that the device is inserted into the slot 16, as shown in FIG. 2 and 3 is shown. The tail 7 is inserted into the swelten slot 17, and if at this

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Tail is pulled, the device 5 adapts its shape to the curved junction 13 of the instrument 12 at. During the insertion of the device 5 into the uterus, the thickened end 14 expands Cervix, and the device 5 places calibration around the end portion 13 so that it is pushed into the uterus can be. If the instrument 12 is pulled out again, the device 5 is released from the Slot 16, while the tail 7 is pulled through the slot 17 and finally out of the cervix stands out.

The shield-shaped device 5 shown in FIG. 1 can be injection-molded or cast from silicone rubber be, with the metals in powder form in the vulcanized Finely divided silicone mixture are included.

Production is also possible in that the devices are made from a silicone rubber Foil are punched out, during the manufacture of which the metals are in powder form in the vulcanized silicone mixture entered.

Another method involves using two silicone rubber sheets, each of which has one of the metals in powder form contains, assembled and punched the devices out of the two-layer laminate.

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If by the manufacturing process used to manufacture the rubber sheets or the device one made only of rubber around the surface an abrasion or etching process is necessary to expose the metal powder. The silicone rubber can also be provided with an addition of barium sulfate in order to facilitate the location by means of X-rays.

The device according to the invention remains in

the desired location in the uterus and has no |

undesirable side effects, as sometimes occurs with other intrauterine devices. if the device is to be removed, the tail is grasped with a suitable instrument and through, slowly pulling on this tail removes the device effortlessly and without discomfort.

Although the device described is intended for use in the uterus, the idea of the invention ^{3 can} also be applied to devices that are intended for use in the vagina or in the uterus. Here, too, the pH values are changed in such a way that spermatozoa are killed.

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Claims (7)

Claims 1 <Λ Contraceptive device, characterized in that that they are made of a for -insertion in a human uterus, a (uterine cervix or a vagina certain body consists of at least two electrochemically dissimilar, biologically essentially inert contains or consists of metals that cause an electrochemical reaction in the surrounding area of the skin or vagina cause by which the pH-7 / ert changes this environment is or can be set. 2. Contraceptive device according to claim 1, characterized characterized in that the device (5) consists of an electrochemically neutral and biologically inert substance and the metals are attached to or dispersed in the fabric such that they are exposed to the uterine or vaginal environment are exposed, 3, contraceptive device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one of the metals is an element consisting of silver, zinc, copper, aluminum, iron, nickel or platinum " 4 »Contraceptive device according to one of claims 1 to 3» characterized in that the device an intrauterine coil, loop or T-shaped Device has and wraps these metals around separate sections of the coil, loop or T-shaped Device are wound » 209823/0839 5. Contraceptive device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the device (5) has a flat, relatively thin, shield-shaped, suitable for insertion into a uterus shape and consists of silicone rubber, the metals in powder form in the silicone rubber are distributed. 6. Contraceptive device according to claim 5, characterized in that the shield-shaped device (5) has an opening (6) which accommodates an Ä instruments suitable for insertion into the uterus (12) permitted 7. Contraceptive device according to claim 6, characterized in that a flexible tail (7) consists of surgical thread is molded or attached to the narrow end of the shield-shaped device (5) β «Contraceptive device according to one of claims 5 to 7 #, characterized in that the shield-shaped Device (5) made of two silicone rubber rolls consists, each of the pollen with one of the metals is impregnated and the pollen are laminated together. 209823/0839 Blank page