GB2098162A

GB2098162A - Intrauterine contraceptive package and applicator

Info

Publication number: GB2098162A
Application number: GB8213306A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Huhtamaki Oyj; Huhtamaki Yhtyma OY
Current assignee: Huhtamaki Oyj
Priority date: 1981-05-07
Filing date: 1982-05-07
Publication date: 1982-11-17
Also published as: FI67999B; IN156596B; FI811412L; FR2505296A1; CA1230088A; CH657042A5; FR2505296B1; FI67999C; MX159502A

Abstract

An intrauterine contraceptive package comprises at least two contraceptives (4) removably mounted on a card (2) by means of lugs (6, 7) formed in said card and an openable, at least partially transparent sterile envelope (1) containing said contraceptives and card. A device for catching and applying a contraceptive (4) comprises a tube (11) and a pushable rod extending therethrough, the rod being of greater length than the tube and having a hook at one end. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A package for an intrauterine contraceptive and device for catching the contraceptive in an applicator The present invention relates to a package for an intrauterine contraceptive, comprising an openable, at least partially transparent sterile bag as well as a device for picking up an intrauterine contraceptive out of the package and fitting it in an applicator.

A contraceptive is usually supplied by the manu facturerto the consumers as a sterile disposable package accompanied by contraceptive applicators.

Thus, each package contains one contraceptive and applicators and the package unit is completely sterile, which together with its disposable character renders the package uneconomical.

An object of the invention is to provide a more simple and inexpensive solution, whereby it is possible to pack and preserve several contraceptives in the same package and whereby the applicators can be reused by sterilizing after each use.

According to the invention there is provided a package for an intrauterine contraceptive, comprising an openable, at least partially transparent sterile envelope wherein at least two intrauterine contraceptives are removably fitted inside said envelope.

The envelope is preferably provided with an inner card to which the contraceptives are attached.

The card is provided with lugs whereunderthe cross-arms of a contraceptive can be inserted to keep it securily in position on but still readily removable from the card.

For easier use of the package said card is provided with slits into which the tails of a contraceptive are threaded.

The invention also relates to a device for removing a contraceptive from the package and fitting it in an applicator. The device is characterized by comprising a tube and a rod, the latter being pushable through the tube and having a hook member at one end and the length of said rod exceeding that of the tube.

The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein: Figure 1 shows a package according to the invention, and Figure 2 shows an applicator according to the invention.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 1, a package consists of a sterilizationresistant envelope 1. Inserted into the envelope is an elongated inner card 2. Cut into this inner card 2 are lugs 6 and 7 substantially transversely relative to the longitudinal direction of said card, the points of the outer lugs 6 pointing in the same direction and that of the intermediate lug 7 in the opposite direction.

The arms 3 of a T-coil 4 are pushed under the points of said lugs, so that the stem portion 4 of a coil is freely located on card 2 and extends roughly in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the card.

Lugs 6 and 7 are cut transversely in card 2 at suitable spacings. Thus, 5 T-coils can be mounted on a card so as not to touch each other.

To facilitate the removal of a coil, the edge portion of a card 2 is provided adjacent each coil with a cut-off edge slit 5 into which the tail strings 8 of a coil are threaded. This way said strings cannot entangle with each other.

Figures 2 shows an applicator of the invention which can be used for the easy removal of a T-coil out ofthe package shown in Figure 1 and for fitting it inside the uterus. The device comprises a tube 11 accompanied by a rod 9 pushable therethrough and having a hook 10 at one end. The length of rod 9 exceeds that of tube 11 at least to the extend that hook 10 of the rod clearly protrudes through one end of the tube after pushing rod 9 into the tube.

A package shown in Figure 1 is supplied by the manufacturer to the consumer in perfectly sterile condition. A user opens one end of package 1 to the extent that the applicator can be inserted into an envelope formed by package 1. The hook member 10 of rod 9 pushed through tube 11 is placed around said tail strings 8 and, simultaneously, tube 11 is steered in line with the stem portion 4 of a T-coil and the tail strings 8 are pulled by means of a rod 9 into said tube 11 while, at the same time, the tube is pushed over the stem portion of a coil. Thus, a coil is firmly anchored in the applicator and can be carefully detached from the inner card by pulling said T-coil in a manner that the joint portion of a coil is released from below a tab 7 and then by pushing a T-coil in the other direction away from below tabs 6. Thereafter, a coil can be pulled out of an envelope formed by package 1.

After use, the applicators can be readily sterilized conventionally and re-used.

The sterility of package 1 is no longer complete after the first use. It has been discovered that this does not hamper the use of T-coils but the coils remaining in a package can be applied as such without re-sterilization. After all, the T-coils are fully protected even in an opened package as the latter can of course be sealed after each use.

Claims

1. A package for an intrauterine contraceptive, comprising an openable, at least partially transparent sterile envelope wherein at least two intrauterine contraceptives are removably fitted inside said envelope.

2. A package as set forth in claim 1, wherein the envelope is provided with an inner card on which said contraceptives are mounted.

3. A package as set forth in claim 1 or 2 wherein the intrauternine contraceptives are successively mounted on a card by means of lugs formed therein.

4. A package as set forth in claim 2 or 3 wherein the inner card is provided with slits for tail strings of each intrauterine contraceptive.

5. A package as set forth in any one of claims 2 4 wherein there are at least five intrauterine contraceptives positioned successively in line, so that stems of the intrauterine contraceptives lie along substantially the same line extending in the longitudinal direction of the card.

6. A device for catching an intrauterine contraceptive comprising a tube and a rod which is of greater length than the tube, is pushable therethrough and has a hook at one end thereof.

7. A package for an intrauterine contraceptive substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

8. A device for catching an intrauterine contraceptive substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.