Inserter

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11850182-B2
Application number	US-202217743236-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 12, 2022
Priority date	Sep 17, 2008
Publication date	Dec 26, 2023
Grant date	Dec 26, 2023

Abstract

The invention relates to an inserter for an intrauterine system, including a handle ( 3 ) having a longitudinal opening ( 8 ) at its first end, the opening ( 8 ) having a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the inserter, a first end ( 8 a ) and a second end ( 8 b ), a moveable slider ( 5 ) arranged in the longitudinal opening ( 8 ) and having a first end ( 5 a ) and a second end ( 5 b ), a plunger ( 2 ) attached to the handle ( 3 ), an insertion tube ( 6 ) arranged around the plunger ( 2 ) having a first end and a second end, with its second end attached to the slider ( 5 ). The inserter further includes a lock that reversibly locks locking the intrauterine system in relation to the plunger ( 2 ) via a removal string of the intrauterine system, the lock being controllable by the slider ( 5 ) and/or the insertion tube ( 6 ).

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A kit comprising:
an intrauterine system comprising:
a reservoir containing a hormone; and
a removal string attached to the intrauterine system; and

an inserter comprising:
a handle comprising:
a longitudinal opening; and
a slider arranged in the longitudinal opening;

a plunger attached to the handle;
an insertion tube attached to the slider; and
a lock arranged inside the handle and adapted to reversibly lock the intrauterine system in relation to the plunger via the removal string, the lock being controllable by the slider, the lock comprising:
a main part that is rotatably mounted on a shaft or an axle on the handle, an extension, and
a counterpart,

wherein the removal string is immobilized between the main part and the counterpart when the lock is in a locked position, and
wherein the removal string is released when a part of the slider presses against the extension to turn the main part around the shaft or the axle.

2. The kit of claim 1 , wherein the hormone is levonorgestrel.

3. The kit of claim 1 , wherein the reservoir further comprises an elastomer.

4. The kit of claim 3 , wherein the elastomer is poly(dimethylsiloxane).

5. The kit of claim 1 , wherein moving the slider forward causes the lock to move into the locked position.

6. The kit of claim 1 , wherein moving the slider backwards causes the lock to move into a released position.

7. The kit of claim 1 , further comprising a flange arranged on the insertion tube that is adjustable such that its distance from a front end of the intrauterine system corresponds to a depth of a uterus.

8. The kit of claim 1 , wherein the handle forms a channel in which the insertion tube slides in a longitudinal direction.

9. The kit of claim 1 , wherein the main part comprises an opening through which the removal string passes.

10. The kit of claim 1 , wherein the shaft or the axle is irregularly shaped.

11. A method for positioning an intrauterine system within a uterus, the method comprising:
(a) providing an intrauterine system having a reservoir containing a hormone and a removal string attached to the intrauterine system;
(b) sounding the uterus to determine a depth for placement of the intrauterine system;
(c) holding an inserter in one hand, the inserter comprising:
a handle comprising:
a longitudinal opening, the longitudinal opening having a first end and a second end; and
a slider arranged in the longitudinal opening, the slider being movable and having a first end and a second end;
a plunger attached to the handle;
an insertion tube attached to the slider; and
a lock arranged inside the handle and adapted to reversibly lock the intrauterine system in relation to the plunger via the removal string, the lock being controllable by the slider, the lock comprising:
a main part that is rotatably mounted on a shaft or an axle on the handle,
an extension, and
a counterpart,

wherein the removal string is immobilized between the main part and the counterpart when the lock is in a locked position, and
wherein the removal string is released when a part of the slider presses against the extension to turn the main part around the shaft or the axle;

(d) introducing the inserter into the uterus with the one hand until the intrauterine system is at the depth determined in step (b); and
(e) moving the slider with one digit of the one hand, thereby releasing the removal string and intrauterine system within the uterus.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the hormone is levonorgestrel.

13. A method of providing contraception in a patient, comprising:
(a) providing an intrauterine system having a reservoir comprising a hormone and a removal string attached to the intrauterine system;
(b) sounding a uterus to predetermine a depth for placement of the intrauterine system;
(c) holding an inserter in one hand, the inserter comprising:
a handle comprising:
a longitudinal opening, the longitudinal opening having a first end and a second end; and
a slider arranged in the longitudinal opening, the slider being movable and having a first end and a second end;
a plunger attached to the handle;
an insertion tube attached to the slider; and
a lock arranged inside the handle and adapted to reversibly lock the intrauterine system in relation to the plunger via the removal string, the lock being controllable by the slider, the lock comprising:
a main part that is rotatably mounted on a shaft or an axle on the handle,
an extension, and
a counterpart,

wherein the removal string is immobilized between the main part and the counterpart when the lock is in a locked position, and
wherein the removal string is released when a part of the slider presses against the extension to turn the main part around the shaft or the axle;

(d) introducing the inserter into the uterus with the one hand until the intrauterine system is at the depth predetermined in step (b); and
(e) moving the slider with one digit of the one hand, thereby releasing the removal string and intrauterine system within the uterus.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the hormone is levonorgestrel.

15. A method of preventing pregnancy in a patient, comprising:
(a) providing an intrauterine system having a reservoir comprising a hormone and a removal string attached to the intrauterine system;
(b) sounding a uterus to predetermine a depth for placement of the intrauterine system;
(c) holding an inserter in one hand, the inserter comprising:
a handle comprising:
a longitudinal opening, the longitudinal opening having a first end and a second end; and
a slider arranged in the longitudinal opening, the slider being movable and having a first end and a second end;

a plunger attached to the handle;
an insertion tube attached to the slider; and
a lock arranged inside the handle and adapted to reversibly lock the intrauterine system in relation to the plunger via the removal string, the lock being controllable by the slider, the lock comprising:
a main part that is rotatably mounted on a shaft or an axle on the handle,
an extension, and
a counterpart,

wherein the removal string is immobilized between the main part and the counterpart when the lock is in a locked position, and
wherein the removal string is released when a part of the slider presses against the extension to turn the main part around the shaft or the axle;

(d) introducing the inserter into the uterus with the one hand until the intrauterine system is at the depth predetermined in step (b); and
(e) moving the slider with one digit of the one hand, thereby releasing the removal string and intrauterine system within the uterus.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the hormone is levonorgestrel.

Assignees

• Bayer Oy

Inventors

• Jutila Ilkka
• Lyytikäinen Heikki
• Alonso Ulla Calvo
• Tjäder Taina
• Ali-Äijälä Marjo

Classifications

• A61F6/18 Primary

  Inserters or removers · CPC title

• A61F6/142

  Wirelike structures, e.g. loops, rings, spirals · CPC title

• A61F6/144

  with T-configuration · CPC title