The present invention relates to an inserter for an intrauterine system comprising a handle (3), and an insertion tube (6) having a first end and a second end, and being arranged in connection with the handle. The inserter is characterized in that the first end of the insertion tube (6) comprises at least one frame slot for receiving a frame of the intrauterine system. The invention also relates to a kit comprising an inserter according to the present invention and an intrauterine system, wherein the intrauterine system (1) comprises a therapeutic component (1b) and a continuous, closed frame (1a), the therapeutic component (1b) being connected to the frame (1a) at least one point, and therapeutic component (1b) of the intrauterine system (1) is at least mainly arranged inside the first end of the insertion tube (6) and the frame (1a) of the intrauterine system (1) is at least mainly arranged outside the first end of the insertion tube (6).

The present invention provides an apparatus for making knots in a flexible element attached to a medical device and methods using said apparatus.

An intrauterine contraceptive system may include a contraceptive intrauterine device, a retrieval thread permanently attached to the intrauterine device and an insertion device for inserting the intrauterine device into a uterus. The system may also include a release thread releasably coupled with the intrauterine device. The intrauterine device may be deployable out of a distal end of the insertion device and may be configured to change from a delivery configuration when housed in the insertion device to a deployed configuration when deployed in a uterus. The retrieval thread and the optional release thread may be at least partially housed within the insertion device during insertion of the intrauterine device into the uterus. The release thread may extend from the intrauterine device through the insertion device to an attachment point at or near a proximal end of the insertion device.

A method for promoting contraception by placing a contraceptive device within a uterus without blocking fallopian tubes may involve advancing a distal end of a delivery device through a cervix, advancing the contraceptive device comprising an elongate shape memory member out of the distal end of the delivery device and into the uterus, and limiting inferior migration of the contraceptive device within the uterus. Inferior migration may be limited by allowing the contraceptive device to assume a shape, when subjected to pressure that tends to cause a downward migration of the device within the uterus, in which an expandable middle portion of the device is expanded to contact the inner wall of the uterus and thus limit the downward migration of the device.

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 (8a) and a second end (8b), a moveable slider (5) arranged in the longitudinal opening (8) and having a first end (5a) and a second end (5b), 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 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).

A variety of different intravaginal drug delivery devices are described for the delivery of estrogens and progestins. The release rate of estrogens and progestins can be controlled by varying the matrix material or by the application of a thin coating. The intravaginal drug delivery devices may be composed of one or more individual compartments. By controlling various physical and chemical parameters, non-zero release rates of the estrogen or progestins may be achieved.

A variety of different intravaginal drug delivery devices are described for the delivery of estrogens and progestins. The release rate of estrogens and progestins can be controlled by varying the matrix material or by the application of a thin coating. The intravaginal drug delivery devices may be composed of one or more individual compartments. By controlling various physical and chemical parameters, non-zero release rates of the estrogen or progestins may be achieved.

Disclosed herein is an intravaginal drug delivery device that includes one or more compartments, each of the one or more compartments comprising an estrogen prodrug and/or a progestin dispersed in a thermoplastic polymeric matrix.

An intrauterine contraceptive system may include a contraceptive intrauterine device, a retrieval thread permanently attached to the intrauterine device and an insertion device for inserting the intrauterine device into a uterus. The system may also include a release thread releasably coupled with the intrauterine device. The intrauterine device may be deployable out of a distal end of the insertion device and may be configured to change from a delivery configuration when housed in the insertion device to a deployed configuration when deployed in a uterus. The retrieval thread and the optional release thread may be at least partially housed within the insertion device during insertion of the intrauterine device into the uterus. The release thread may extend from the intrauterine device through the insertion device to an attachment point at or near a proximal end of the insertion device.

Disclosed is a drug release device and uses of such a device. The device comprises a drug release component and a support. The drug release component comprises one or more thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) polymers and one or more drugs wherein at least one of the TPE polymers is a styrenic TPE block co-polymer (TPE-S). The drug release component is impregnated with the one or more drugs and is moulded to the support.