A method of manufacturing an intrauterine device (IUD) for contraception that has a desired copper elution rate is described. The method may involve selecting an elongate shape memory member comprising a first metal having a first galvanic potential, selecting at least one attachment member comprising a second metal having a second galvanic potential that is different from the first galvanic potential, attaching the attachment member(s) to the shape memory member, and shaping the shape memory member to form a frame of the intrauterine contraceptive device. The first metal and the second metal are specifically selected as materials for the shape memory member and the attachment member(s), in order to achieve the desired copper elution rate.

An inserter is provided which includes a handle having an upper cover and a bottom cover, the upper cover having a longitudinal opening, a proximal end and a distal end; a mounting member extending from an inner surface of the bottom cover of the handle, the mounting member having a through-hole; an inner tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the inner tube attached to the mounting member; an insertion tube movably coupled to the inner tube with a longitudinal axis essentially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the inner tube; a switch coupled to a proximal end of the insertion tube and arranged in the opening; and a string having a proximal end removably coupled near the proximal end of the opening, a distal end of the string coupled to a device to be inserted inside a human anatomy.

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 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).

An instrument 10 to prepare an intra-uterine device 30 for insertion in uterus 50 of woman, comprising a downfolding device 20, a graduated tube 16, a push rod 17, a stopper 15, and an IUD 30; the downfolding device 20 having a concave depression 41 on either side, an open channel 29 of a circular orifice 46 having a sector of angle measure 46A at least 220 and having an exit opening 48 initially marginally less than an external diameter 22B of the graduated tube 16, a root thickness 37B of the base 37 in-between the open channel 29 such that the exit opening 48 increases by the base 37 flexing; the graduated tube 16 has an internal diameter 22D of a far-end opening 22a of the graduated tube 16 sufficient to capture the stem 33 and both arms 32 of the IUD 30 in a downward triangular formation 51.

Methods comprising the insertion of a uterine cervical device into the lower part of the uterine cavity and endocervix for decreasing the incidence of the human papillomavirus in women, mainly types 16 and 18, thus preventing the development of uterine cervical cancer; for modifying the cervical microbiota; for increasing leukocytes and protecting against sexually transmitted infections in women.

Methods comprising the insertion of a uterine cervical device into the lower part of the uterine cavity and endocervix for decreasing the incidence of the human papillomavirus in women, mainly types 16 and 18, thus preventing the development of uterine cervical cancer; for modifying the cervical microbiota; for increasing leukocytes and protecting against sexually transmitted infections in women.

A monofilament retrieval thread for use with intrauterine systems/devices or other indwelling intracavitary devices, providing a manufactured intrauterine system/device having a retrieval thread with one or more tails of approximately equal length marked with gradations at fixed uniform intervals which are inert to biological fluids, are sono- and radio-opaque. The device is positioned inside the uterus of a woman seeking gynaecological intervention or positioned inside a body cavity for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

Systems, methods and kits for self-insertion and self-removal of an IUD device. Devices include a handle

An intrauterine device includes a central support member, first and second internal flexures and first and second external flexures. The first and second internal flexures each include a first section having a first stiffness, a second section having a second stiffness, and third section having a third stiffness, wherein the second stiffness is more flexible than the first and third stiffness and wherein the first section of each internal flexure is coupled to the central support member. The first and second external flexures are coupled to the central support member and coupled to the third sections of the first and second internal flexures, the first and second external flexures in combination with the first and second internal flexures being configured to extend from a collapsed position parallel to the central support member to a deployed position flexing away from the central support member.