GB1294468A - Intra-uterine contraceptive device - Google Patents

Abstract

1294468 Intra-uterine contraceptives T J SMITH & NEPHEW Ltd 30 Oct 1970 [4 Nov 1969] 54094/69 Heading A5R An intra-uterine contraceptive, Fig. 6, comprises a longitudinally extending flexible member, preferably of synthetic non-toxic plastics, having a substantially uniform cross-section, e.g. as shown in Fig. 1, the member being adapted to be formed into a spiral or helical configuration having interconnected contiguous turns, by engaging the ends of the member and sliding in the direction of the arrow. The member comprises a spine portion or projection 3 and a jaw portion 4, the dimension A being greater than D but less than C, and dimension B being less than D to permit free sliding while maintaining engagement of portions of the member. Alternative but similar cross-sections may be employed and a plurality of jaw portions and complementary projections may be provided, Fig. 5 (not shown). Cuts I' and 2' may be made in the end portions of the member which cuts are adapted to engage and prevent total disengagement of the end portions. The member is preferably made by extrusion through a die, the product being cut into lengths of about 7 inches and gently heated while wrapped around a glass cylinder of about 2 inches diameter to programme the lengths into a loopshape. A radio opaque or magnetically detectable material is preferably incorporated into the member and a surgical thread (6), Fig. 9a (not shown) passed through the spine to facilitate unwinding of the loop by pulling the thread. An introducer tube (7), Fig. 10 (not shown), may be provided comprising a slightly curved plastics tube (7) with an aluminium rod (9) having a hook (10) at one end, for drawing the device into the tube, and a piston (11) at the other for pushing the device from the tube into the uterus when the tube has been inserted into the cervix.