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US3918445A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Inserter for intra-uterine device (IUD)

Assignee: Fuji Latex Co Ltd
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Filing: 1974-04-19
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Granted: 1975-11-11
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Expires: 1994-04-19
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Abstract

Abstract The inserter is designed to receive and hold an intra-uterine device (IUD), as well as to insert the IUD in the uterus, and comprises two opposed holding members, which are U-shape in cross-section, which conjointly define an elongated tubular element which preferably is slightly bowed. At a zone intermediate the ends of the inserter, and substantially at its midpoint, the two holding members are spread apart or opened to form an IUD receiving and holding portion. In use, a cervix shield portion of the inserter is inserted into the uterus, the cervix shield portion extending from the receiving and holding portion to the inner end of the inserter, and the inner end is tapered. A plunger is then inserted in the outer end of the inserter to engage the IUD and move it through the cervix shield portion out the inner end of the inserter and into the uterus, after which the inserter is withdrawn. Elastic bands or the like hold the U-shape members in engagement with each other, to form the tubular inserter, while allowing the holding members, in the cervix shield portion, to expand to facilitate movement of the IUD therethrough. The spread apart portion of the inserter may be provided with supporting surfaces for an IUD and may have the shape of a flat trumpet.

Inventors

  • 👤 Tadao Okamoto
  • 👤 Takeo Komamura
  • 👤 Atsumi Ishihama

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-29 20:00
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F6/00; A61F6/06; A61F6/14; A61F6/18

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim 100 words
An inserter for an intra-uterine device for contraceptive use comprising, in combination, a pair of eloNgated continuous and facing substantially U-shape cross-section members forming an elongated intra-uterine device holding and guiding element, said members being spaced apart only at a relatively short zone intermediate their ends to form a widened receiving and holding portion for an expanded IUD, said receiving and holding portion being constituted by two opposed and laterally spaced coextensive and uninterrupted intermediate portions of said continuous Ushape cross-section members which latter are otherwise in contact with each other throughout the length of said holding and guiding element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 100 words
An inserter for an intra-uterine device for contraceptive use comprising, in combination, a pair of eloNgated continuous and facing substantially U-shape cross-section members forming an elongated intra-uterine device holding and guiding element, said members being spaced apart only at a relatively short zone intermediate their ends to form a widened receiving and holding portion for an expanded IUD, said receiving and holding portion being constituted by two opposed and laterally spaced coextensive and uninterrupted intermediate portions of said continuous Ushape cross-section members which latter are otherwise in contact with each other throughout the length of said holding and guiding element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 54 words
An inserter, as claimed in claim 1, including a cervix shield portion extending from said receiving and holding portion and communicating therewith; said cervix shield portion being constituted by uninterrupted portions of said two U-shape cross-section members forming a tube; and means retaining said last-named portions of said members in engagement with each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 38 words
An inserter, as claimed in claim 2, in which said retaining means comprises at least one resilient member embracing said cervix shield portion forming portions of said members to provide for elastic lateral spreading thereof to some extent.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 56 words
An inserter, as claimed in claim 3, including a tubular plunger guiding portion extending outwardly from said receiving and holding portion to receive and guide a plunger into engagement with an intra-uterine device received and held in said receiving and holding portion to move the intra-uterine device into, through and out of said cervix shield portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 28 words
An inserter, as claimed in claim 4, in which said receiving and holding portion includes a supporting surface extending thereacross between said spaced apart portions of said members.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 28 words
An inserter, as claimed in claim 4, in which the junction between said receiving and holding portion and said cervix shield portion is shaped like a flattened trumpet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 136 words
An inserter, as claimed in claim 4, including an elongated plunger inserted through said holding and guiding element to engage an intra-uterine device to move the device from said receiving and holding portion into, through and out of said cervix shielding portion; said plunger having an outer manipulating end and an inner end engageable with an intra-uterine device in said receiving and holding portion; said plunger having, adjacent its outer end and at a point spaced from its inner end by a distance equal to the length of said holding and guiding element, a first reference mark, and having, at a distance inwardly from said first reference mark equal to the length of an intra-uterine device, a second reference mark; said plunger being inserted through said holding and guiding element up to said first reference mark.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 25 words
An inserter, as claimed in claim 4, in which said cervix shield portion has thereon at least one reference mark indicating the depth of insertion.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US716040A Cited
US862712A Cited
US2017783A Cited
US2435531A Cited
US3404682A Cited
US3783861A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1978-11-10 1979-05-12 1979-11-11 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1982-11-10 1983-05-12 1983-11-11 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1986-11-10 1987-05-12 1987-11-11 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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