GB2293324A

GB2293324A - Device for storing and manipulating contraceptive devices

Info

Publication number: GB2293324A
Application number: GB9519353A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jason Otto Gardosi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-09-23
Filing date: 1995-09-22
Publication date: 1996-03-27
Anticipated expiration: 2015-09-22
Also published as: IN184815B; CN1129550A; GB2293324B; GB9519353D0; GB9419265D0; GB2293324B8

Abstract

A device for storing and manipulating an intrauterine device, IUD, comprises: a housing (4) for the IUD (6) in an expanded configuration; an introducer (3) having a bore therethrough; and a rod (8) slidable within the bore. The bore is in communication with the interior of the housing and the rod is removably connected (at (9)) to the IUD, such that when the rod is retracted within the introducer the IUD is caused to move to a contracted state and is drawn into the introducer. <IMAGE>

Description

DEVICE FOR STORING & MANIPULATING CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES This invention relates to devices for storing and manipulating intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUDs).

Intrauterine contraceptive devices are a reliable and popular form of contraception. Most modern designs consist of a polyethylene frame with a coiled copper wire which has a silver core to avoid fragmentation within the uterus. At present, contraceptive devices having a T shape are preferred, although other configurations have previously been suggested.

Whether the IUD is in the shape of a T or in any other configuration it is known that the device must be capable of collapsing from the expanded configuration required within the uterus to a smaller configuration to facilitate insertion of the IUD into the uterus. Typically, lUDs in their collapsed configuration are inserted into the uterus using an introducer.

Various types of introducer are illustrated in US3077879, US3200815, US3253590, US3405711, US3757775, US391 1911, US4117838, US4628924, FR2103284and GB1096698 Co-pending application We90/01310 describes an IUD which takes the form of a resilient loop which is compressible for introduction into the uterus and which, after insertion, springs open to its relaxed configuration.

This IUD may be "loaded" into an introducer, such as a cannula, for introduction into the uterus.

However, loading the IUD into the introducer can be difficult and time consuming. Further, loading the device into the introducer requires the operator to handle the IUD which can lead to contamination of the IUD and consequently to infection of the patient.

It is possible to supply the IUD to the clinician already loaded into the introducer. However, this has the disadvantage that if the IUD remains in the collapsed configuration for a significant length of time, it will fail to return to its relaxed configuration when introduced into the uterus. Failure to return to the relaxed, expanded, configuration may result in the IUD failing to function as a contraceptive device.

A device has now been developed which not only enables the IUD to be inserted readily into the introducer but also provides a convenient apparatus for storing and transporting the IUD.

According to the present invention there is provided a device for storing and manipulating an intrauterine device, IUD, comprising: a housing for the IUD in an expanded configuration; an introducer having a bore therethrough; and a rod slidable within the bore, the bore being in communication with the interior of the housing, the rod being removably connected to the lUD, whereby when the rod is retracted within the introducer the IUD is caused to move to a contracted state and is drawn into the introducer.

Thus, the IUD is drawn into the interior of the introducer in a simple operation. Further the use of the housing means that the intrauterine device may be retained within a sterile, or at least a protected, environment throughout the loading of the device into the introducer.

The device preferably includes means for supporting the introducer which may extend along the entire length thereof. By this means, the introducer is protected during transportation and storage and held in an optimum relationship with the interior of the housing to further facilitate the loading of the IUD into the introducer. This latter feature is particularly effective where the supporting means incorporates pairs of lugs depending therefrom which are configured such that the introducer is a snap-fit between the lugs. The supporting means may carry instructions for using the apparatus.

The housing is preferably shaped to retain the IUD in its plane during the loading operation.

This configuration optimises the ease with which the IUD is drawn into the introducer. The housing may be generally rectangular in shape.

At least one surface of the container may include a groove extending along at least a part of its length; the groove cooperating with at least a portion of the intrauterine device such that it is correctly orientated with respect to the introducer.

Where the IUD is symmetrical, the device enables the IUD to be loaded into the introducer in such a way that the loaded IUD is also symmetrical. For example, where the IUD is that described in WO90/01310, the convex and concave curvatures of the IUD are loaded into the introducer in a paired, i.e. symmetrical manner. Retains a symmetrical configuration for the IUD whilst it is located ensures the smooth extrusion of the IUD from the introducer in the manner herein described.

The rod is preferably connected to the intrauterine device by a flexible flange which, at the appropriate time, may be readily ruptured to release the IUD from the rod. In a preferred embodiment, the flexible flange may be ruptured by twisting the rod while the IUD is loaded within the introducer. This means that once the introducer is inserted into the uterine cavity it is only necessary to retract the introducer, such that the rod is moved in a forwardly direction relative to the introducer, to release the intrauterine device.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front view of the IUD located within the container according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the device of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front view of the IUD "loaded" into the introducer for insertion into the uterine cavity; and Figure 4 is a front view of the IUD after expulsion from the introducer.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a device l according to the invention having a base board 2. At one end of the base board 2 there is a rectangular peripheral wall 41 which, together with the base board and a separable lid 42 form a housing 4. The size and depth of the housing 4 is chosen to accommodate the IUD.

The IUD 6, which is located within the housing, is a resilient loop of plastics material, parts of which are covered with coiled copper wire. A button 61 is located at the upper most portion of the IUD. The button, which is a relatively large blunt surface, serves to close the loop and to stop the intrauterine device from being pulled too far into the introducer during loading. Further, the button decreases the chance of uterine perforation during insertion.

The upper and lower walls of the housing 4 are grooved 7 such that during the loading operation the button 61 on the intrauterine device 6 is retained in the groove to maintain the IUD in the optimum orientation to facilitate loading into the introducer.

It will be appreciated that the loading operation will be facilitated if the IUD is prevented from twisting out of the plane. Thus, the height of the peripheral wall 41 is chosen such that the depth of the housing 4 prevents the IUD from twisting.

The device also includes an introducer 3 which extends along the base board. The introducer 3 is held perpendicular and adjacent to the presenting part of the peripheral wall by means of three pairs of lugs 21 which are spaced along the base board.

The introducer 3 has a bore extending along its length which has a rod 8 slidable therein.

One end of the rod is attached to the IUD 6 by means of a flexible flange 9. The other end of the rod is attached to a handle 81 which allows the clinician to move the rod relative to and within the introducer. The handle 81 may be a single moulding with the rod and may be shaped for ease of handling.

In use, the handle 81 is moved away from the introducer 3 thereby causing the rod 8 to slide re.uwardly within the introducer 3 thereby loading the IUD 6 into the introducer. The loaded introducer 3 is then removed from the supporting means 2 as illustrated in Figure 3.

Prior to the insertion of the introducer 3 into the uterus, the handle is rotated to twist the rod 8 within the introducer 3 which ruptures the flexible flange 9 thereby separating the rod and IUD. Once the introducer 3 is inserted into the patient such that the button 61 abuts the uterine fundus, the introducer is gently retracted such that the relative motion of the rod within the introducer is forwardly thereby causing the intrauterine device to be expelled from the introducer at which time it returns to its expanded state as illustrated in Figure 4.

Whilst the invention has been described with reference to the IUD of W090/01310 it will be appreciated that the apparatus may be suitable with IUDs having alternative suitable configurations. It will also be appreciated that the device of the present invention may be modified. For example, the base board may not extend along the entire length of the IUD, the housing may be of any suitable alternative shape and the lugs and/or the handle may be omitted.

Claims

1. A device for storing and manipulating an intrauterine device, IUD, comprising: a housing for the IUD in an expanded configuration; an introducer having a bore therethrough; and a rod slidable within the bore, the bore being in communication with the interior of the housing, the rod being removably connected to the IUD, whereby when the rod is retracted within the introducer the IUD is caused to move to a contracted state and is drawn into the introducer.

2. A device according to Claim 1, wherein the apparatus includes means for supporting the introducer.

3. A device according to Claim 2, wherein the supporting means is a base board.

4. A device according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein the supporting means incorporates pairs of lugs depending from the supporting means.

5. A device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the housing is configured such that the intrauterine device is held in its plane during the loading operation.

6. A device according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein at least one wall of the housing includes a groove extending along at least a part of its length.

7. A device according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the IUD is symmetrical and wherein when the rod is retracted within the introducer the IUD is caused to move to a contracted state and is drawn into the introducer such that the IUD loaded within the introducer is symmetrical.

8. A device according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the rod is connected to the intrauterine device by a flexible flange.