GB2284990A

GB2284990A - I.U.D. Detector

Info

Publication number: GB2284990A
Application number: GB9326028A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lionel Charles Renwick Emmett
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-12-21
Filing date: 1993-12-21
Publication date: 1995-06-28
Anticipated expiration: 2013-12-21
Also published as: GB9326028D0; GB2284990B

Abstract

Apparatus for detecting an intrauterine contraceptive device when that device is in situ, comprises an elongate portion 2 having a handle 3 at its proximal end and means for indicating to the operator of the apparatus when the distal end 5 of the elongate portion 2 is in the vicinity of or in contact with a metallic part 7 of an I.U.D. The apparatus detects the metallic part of the IUD either magnetically or by making electrical contact with it. The indicator produces an audible and/or visual and/or vibratory signal. The elongate portion may also include means for retrieving the IUD e.g. notches. <IMAGE>

Description

I.U.D. THREAD DR The invention relates to apparatus for detecting an intrauterine contraceptive device (I.U.D.) when that device is in position in a uterus.

One method of contraception that is commonly used is the intrauterine contraceptive device (I.U.D.). Such devices are generally of a plastics material, for example polyethylene, which may optionally comprise at the exterior surface a mental, especially copper. A variety of different types of intrauterine contraceptive devices are available, but all are designed to be placed in the uterus of the wanan in order to prevent conception: they may, in general, be left there as long as contraception is desired. In all patients, the I. U. D. has, however, to be removed eventually: this may be because the woman wishes to became pregnant, or it may be because the device is to be replaced by a fresh I.U.D., as is recommended for certain I.U.D.'s after they have been in position for, for example, two years, or it may be for medical or other reasons.

BRlen correctly positioned within the uterus, the I.U.D. itself is not normally directly accessible and I.U.D.'s are therefore usually srovided with a thread or threads in order to facilitate their removal from the uterus. When correctly positioned, such threads should extend fram the I.U.D., through the cervix, into the vaginal cavity. The thread(s) may be grasped within the vaginal cavity, by means of forceps for example, and may be used to withdraw the I. U. D. from the uterus without the patient having to undergo general anaesthetic.

It not infrequently happens, however, that the thread(s) cannot be found within the vaginal cavity. This may be noticed by the woman herself during self-examination, or it may be noticed on examination by a medical worker during a periodic check or during examination for pregnancy or other reasons. It is then necessary to ascertain the reason for the absence of the thread(s) from the vaginal cavity as soon as possible, especially as it may be that the I.U.D. has been expelled fran the woman unnoticed, with the consequent risk of unwanted pregnancy, and/or that the I.U.D. has became translocated, that is to say that it has penetrated through the wall of the uterus, which can cause serious complications. In most cases, however, the I.U.D. is still located within the uterus and the thread(s) have, for same reason, became drawn up into the endocervical canal. This may occur for a variety of reasons, including inversion of the I.U.D. within the uterus, enlargement of the uterus, and the thread(s) resuming the "folded" position they had in the package of the I.U.D.

In general, the initial procedure on noticing the absence of the thread(s) from the vaginal cavity is exploration of the endocervical canal with forceps to ascertain whether the threads can be found there. If the threads still cannot be found, as happens in many cases, there is the problem of ascertaining whether the I. U. D. is still located within the uterus.

Ultrasound examination, for example, can be used to determine whether the I.U.D. is still in position, but such examination requires expensive equipment and cannot normally be carried out in clinics. Sometimes, exploration further into the uterus can be carried out using forceps or other instruments, but this can entail risk of perforating the wall of the uterus and it requires the use of an anaesthetic and usually admission to hospital. moreover, especially in nulliparous women, it is not always readily possible to pass such instruments through the cervix.

None of these methods is entirely satisfactory in ascertaining whether the I.U.D. is still correctly located in the uterus.

It is an object of the invention to seek to provide a convenient and safe apparatus for detecting an I. U. D. which may be used in a Family Planning Clinic or in a Doctor's surgery without the need of x-rays or hospitalisation.

According to the invention there is provided apparatus for locating an I.U.D. having a metallic portion comprising an elongate flexible portion having a handle at its proximal end and means for indicating to the operator of the apparatus when its distal end is in the vicinity of or in contact with an I.U.D. coMprising an electrically conductive means.

The indicating means may comprise means for the emission of a characteristic note such as a buzz, bell or beep, or alternatively, a light or a characteristic vibration of the handle.

The elongate portion may comprise means for retrieving the I.U.D.

The means may comprise notches spaced along the length of the elongate portion.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which the Fig.l is a front elevational view of apparatus in accordance with the invention.

Referring to the drawing, there is shown apparatus 1 comprising a handle 3 and a flexible elongate portion 2 made from flex plastic for locating an I.U.D. 6 having a copper portion 7 at its upper end and a buzzer 4 for indicating to the operator of the apparatus that the distal end 5 of the elongate portion 2 is in the vicinity of or in contact with the copper portion 7 of the I.U.D. 6 by emission of an audible sound such as a "beep".

The distal end 5 of the elongate portion 2 will have magnetic means to exert a magnetic force on the copper portion 7 of the I.U.D. 6.

This magnetic field gradient will induce a voltage signal which may be amplified by any powered amplifying means and used to power a T.tfl 4 in the proximal end of the handle.

Alternatively, the distal end 5 comprises a metallic contact connected by wiring with a 4 volt battery held in the handle or proximal end of the apparatus adjacent the buzzer 4. The wires are +ve and -ve wires and when the contact engages the metal of an I.U.D., the current is 'made' so that the buzzer "bleeps".

In all embodiments, the distal end thus acts as a relay to activate the indicating means.

Claims

1. Apparatus for locating an intrauterine device having a metallic portion, comprising an elongate portion having a handle at its proximal end and means for indicating to the operator of the apparatus when its distal end is in the vicinity of or in contact with said intrauterine device.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the indicating means comprises means for the emission of an audible signal.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the indicating means comprises means for the emission of a visual signal.

4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the indicating means comprises means to produce a vibration of the handle.

5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the elongate portion comprises means for retrieving the intrauterine device.

6. Apparatus according to Claim 5, wherein the retrieving means comprises notches along the length of the elongate portion.

7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the elongate portion is flexible.

8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the indicating means includes a magnet disposed at or near the distal end of the elongate portion.

9. Apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the indicating means includes a metallic contact disposed at or near the distal end of the elongate portion.

10. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, including amplifying means.

11. Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.