AN INTRAUTERINE DEVICE WITH A RESTRICTED MOVEMENT OF A STRING KNOT

Abstract

An intrauterine device (20) with a restricted movement of a knot (5) of the string (4) due to a region (3) having such differed shape and size at a distal end (12) of central vertical stem (1) and due to a trajectory for string (4) in the region (3) that the length of the string (S) is shorter than the distance (r) of the region (3); and the loop (15) of the string and therefore the knot (5) is unable to pivot around the axis (14). The lateral shift of the knot (5) is also prevented. Consequent to restricted pivoting and restricted lateral shift of the knot (5), the hanging portion (9) of the string (4) continue to project downwards and do NOT develop tendency to get retracted and thus do not curl up in the uterus (16) through the cervix (17).

Claims

1. An intrauterine device (IUD) (20) comprising of a central vertical stem (1) with a plurality of arms (2) attached on a proximal end (11) of the stem (1), characterized in that a region (3) at a distal end (12) of the central vertical stem (1) of the IUD (20) having a trajectory of a combination of a plurality of closed channel, open channel, open recess, opening and orifice, present in or on the region (3) at the distal end (12) of the IUD (20); a string (4) passed through the trajectory; a knot (5) tied keeping the string (4) taut; a length (S) of the string (4) shorter than a distance (r) of the region (3), so as to restrict pivoting of a loop (15) and the knot (5) and so as to restrict lateral shift of the knot (5); a hanging portion (9) of the string continue to project downwards and do not develop tendency to get retracted and not curl up in a uterus (16) through a cervix (17).

2. The intrauterine device (IUD) (20) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said region (3) is a hemisphere (31) having a flat lower surface (311) perpendicular to the central vertical stem (1) and the trajectory is a closed channel (6a) with a pair of openings (61a, 61b) at the ends of the closed channel (6a), provided transversally to the central vertical stem (1) in the hemisphere (31), an axis (14) of the channel (6a) being parallel to a plane of the flat lower surface (311) of the hemisphere (31).

3. The intrauterine device (IUD) (20) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said region (3) is a hemisphere (31) having a flat lower surface (311) perpendicular to the central vertical stem (1) with a plurality of recess (312) present on the flat lower surface (311) and the trajectory is a closed channel (6a) with a pair of openings (61a, 61b) at the ends of the closed channel (6a), provided transversally to the central vertical stem (1) in the hemisphere (31), an axis (14) of the channel (6a) being parallel to a plane of the flat lower surface (311) of the hemisphere (31).

4. The intrauterine device (IUD) (20) as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the plane of the flat lower surface (311) makes an angle (18) with a tangent (19) at the end of the hemisphere (31) causing a sharp bend for the string (4).

5. The intrauterine device (IUD) (20) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the region (3) is a sphere (32) present at the distal end (12) of the central vertical stem (1) of the IUD (20) and the trajectory is a triangular closed channel (6b) with a three pairs of openings (62a, 62b), (62c, 62d) and (62e, 62f) at a three ends of the triangular closed channel (6b) in the sphere (32), an axis (14) of openings (62a, 62b) being transversal to the central vertical stem (1) and a middle of the opening (62e) and opening (62d) substantially in a same axis (13a) as of the central vertical stem (1).

6. The intrauterine device (IUD) (20) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said region (3) is a cylinder (33) present at the distal end (12) of the central vertical stern (1) of the IUD (20) and the trajectory is a pair of parallel vertical closed channels (6c) through the region (3), each with a pair of openings (63a, 63b) and (63c, 63d) at both ends of the parallel vertical closed channels (6c) of the cylinder (33).

7. The intrauterine device (IUD) (20) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said region (3) is a cylinder (34) present at the distal end (12) of the central vertical stem (1) of the IUD (20) and the trajectory is a closed channel (6d) with a pair of openings (64a, 64b) at the ends of the closed channel (6d), provided transversally to the central vertical stem (1) in the cylinder (34), through the closed channel (6d) and its axis (14) is parallel to the flat lower surface (342) of the cylinder (34).

8. The intrauterine device (IUD) (20) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the region (3) has a plurality of recess (312) on the surface, retaining the knot (5) in the recess and restricting the lateral movement of the knot (5).

9. The intrauterine device (IUD) (20) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said region (3) is a spheroid (35) present at the distal end (12) of the central vertical stem (1) of the IUD (20) and the trajectory is a closed channel (6f) in “T” shape with three opening (65a, 65b and 65c) at the three ends of “T” shape of the closed channel (6f), an axis (14) of openings (65a, 65b) being transversal to the central vertical stem (1) and a middle opening (65c) substantially in a same axis (13a) as of the central vertical stem (1); a first end (4a) of the string (4) is passed through the opening (65a) of the closed channel (6f) and retrieved from the middle opening (65c) of the closed channel (6f), a knot (5a) is tied in the vicinity of the middle opening (65c) keeping the string (4) taut; the first end (4a) of the string (4) again passed through the opening (65c) of the closed channel (6f) and retrieved from the opening (65b). An other knot (5b) is tied in the vicinity of the middle opening (65c) keeping the string (4) taut. The knot (5) tied thereafter, keeping the string (4) taut.

10. The intrauterine device (IUD) (20) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said region (3) is a spheroid (36) present at the distal end (12) of the central vertical stem (1) of the IUD (20) and the trajectory is a closed channel (6g) in “π” shape with four opening (66a, 66b, 66c and 66d) at the four ends of the “π” shape of the closed channel (6g), an axis (14) of openings (66a, 66b) being transversal to the central vertical stem (1) and a middle openings (66c) and a middle opening (66d) on either side of the axis (13a) of the central vertical stem (1); a first end (4a) of the string (4) is passed through the opening (66a) of the closed channel (6f) and retrieved from the middle opening (66c) of the closed channel (6g), a knot (5a) is tied in the vicinity of the middle opening (66c) keeping the string (4) taut; the first end (4a) of the string (4) again passed through the opening (66d) of the closed channel (6f) and retrieved from the opening (66b). An other knot (5b) is tied in the vicinity of the middle opening (66d) keeping the string (4) taut. The knot (5) tied thereafter, keeping the string (4) taut.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] FIG. 1A illustrates by front view an IUD with a spherical bulge, a string and a loop of the string.

[0022] FIG. 1B illustrates by side view a string passing through the through-hole in the spherical bulge; and the loop of the string.

[0023] FIG. 1C illustrates pivoting of a loop of the string around the spherical bulge of the IUD, showing the loop of the string in different positions.

[0024] FIG. 1D illustrates the lateral shift of the knot from the position below the spherical bulge of the IUD towards the through-hole.

[0025] FIG. 1E illustrates the string when retracting in the uterus through the cervix and therefore not coming out of the cervical os.

[0026] FIG. 2A illustrates an IUD where the region is a hemisphere and a string is passing through a trajectory.

[0027] FIG. 2B gives further details of the hemisphere and the trajectory which is a closed channel.

[0028] FIG. 2C shows side view of the hemisphere and the loop of the string. Sign of “+” represents an axis which is perpendicular to the plane of this paper.

[0029] FIG. 3A illustrates IUD where the region is a hemisphere having a recess on the flat lower surface.

[0030] FIG. 3B gives further details of the hemisphere with the recess, and the trajectory which is a closed channel.

[0031] FIG. 3C shows side view of the hemisphere and the loop of the string. Sign of “+” represents an axis which is perpendicular to the plane of this paper.

[0032] FIG. 3D illustrates the hemisphere having a plurality of recess on the flat lower surface.

[0033] FIG. 4A illustrates IUD where the region is a sphere and trajectory is a triangular closed channel.

[0034] FIG. 4B gives further details of the trajectory and placement of the string in the trajectory.

[0035] FIG. 4C gives closer view of the triangular closed channel and the string passing through the openings of triangular closed channel.

[0036] FIG. 5A illustrates IUD with a region being a cylinder and corresponding trajectory.

[0037] FIG. 5B gives further details of the cylinder and the trajectory which is a pair of parallel vertical closed channels.

[0038] FIG. 5C illustrates another embodiment of an IUD with the region being a cylinder and trajectory of the string.

[0039] FIG. 5D illustrates another embodiment of an IUD with the region being a cylinder having a recess at the flat lower surface and trajectory of the string.

[0040] FIG. 6 shows plurality of open channels instead of plurality of recess as another embodiment.

[0041] FIG. 7A illustrates an IUD where the region is a spheroid and trajectory is a “T” shape closed channel.

[0042] FIG. 7B gives further details of the trajectory and placement of the string in the trajectory.

[0043] FIG. 7C gives closer view of the “T” shape closed channel and the string passing through the openings of the “T” shape closed channel.

[0044] FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of an IUD with the region being a spheroid having a “π” shape closed channel and trajectory of the string.

[0045] FIG. 9 illustrates the other shapes of the IUD wherein string is attached and knotted in a similar manner as above embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0046] Preferred embodiment of the Intrauterine Device with a restricted movement of a string knot according to present invention will now be described in detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The terms and expressions which have been used here are merely for description and not for limitation. A “T-shaped” IUD is considered for disclosure of our invention, however, the shape of the IUD is not a limitation and this invention pertains to IUDs of all shapes and type, whether copper or hormonal or medicinal, provided, the IUD has a string which is knotted.

[0047] FIG. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D and 1E describe the prior art. As can be seen from FIG. 1A, a prior art intrauterine device (10) comprises a central vertical stem (1) having a pair of arms (2) attached at a proximal end (11) and a spherical bulge (7) at a distal end (12). A string (4) is passed through a through-hole (8) provided in the spherical bulge (7). A knot (5) of the string (4) is tied in the vicinity of the spherical bulge (7), leaving a hanging portion (9) of the string (4) free.

[0048] Consequent to the spherical bulge (7) and the through-hole (8), a length of the string (S) is invariably longer than a radius (r) of the spherical bulge (7); and a loop (15) of the string, and therefore the knot (5) is free to pivot around an axis (14) and take an upward positions (15A), (15B), as shown in FIG. 1B, 1C.

[0049] Also, the knot (5) is free to move from a position below the spherical bulge (7) to a side wards as shown in FIG. 1D. This is termed as a lateral shift of the knot (5).

[0050] Consequent to the lateral shift of the knot (5), the hanging portion (9) of the string (4) gets initially pulled and progressively develops tendency to get retracted and thus curl up in the uterus (16) through the cervix (17). FIG. 1E illustrates this situation.

[0051] FIG. 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A show embodiments of an intrauterine device (IUD) (20) with a restricted movement of a knot (5) according to present invention. The central vertical stem (1) with the plurality of arms (2) is attached to the proximal end (11) of the central vertical stem (1) as is known. In our invention, there is a region (3) at the distal end (12) of the central vertical stem (1). The region (3) has passage for the string (4), now onwards called a trajectory.

[0052] The trajectory is a defined route through and or alongside which the string (4) and the knot (5) is contained, and is a combination of a plurality of closed channel, a plurality of open channel, a plurality of open recess, a plurality of opening and a plurality of orifice, present in or on the region (3) at the distal (12) end of the IUD (20). The string (4) is laid through the trajectory and the knot (5) is tied keeping the string (4) taut. Consequent to the region (3) and the trajectory, the knot (5) is restricted from pivoting around the openings(s) and also the lateral shift towards the facilitating opening(s) is constrained.

[0053] Consequent to a shape of the region (3) and a shape of the trajectory, the length of the string (S) is invariably shorter than the distance (r) of the region (3); and the loop (15) of the string, and therefore the knot (5) is unable to pivot and or shift laterally.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 2A, 2B and 2C, the region (3) is a hemisphere (31) having a flat lower surface (311) perpendicular to the central vertical stem (1). The trajectory is a closed channel (6a) with a pair of openings (61a, 61b) at the ends of the closed channel (6a), provided transversally to the central vertical stem (1) in the hemisphere (31), the axis (14) of the channel (6a) being parallel to the flat lower surface (311) of the hemisphere (31).

[0055] The string (4) is passed through a first opening (61a) of the channel (6a) and retrieved from a second opening (61b) of the channel and the knot (5) is tied keeping the string (4) taut, immediately below the flat lower surface (311) of the hemisphere (31) and in the middle, leaving the hanging portion (9) of the strings (4) free.

[0056] Consequent to a shape of the hemisphere (31) and the shape of the trajectory, the length of the string (S) is shorter than the distance (r) of the region (3); and the loop (15) of the string and therefore the knot (5) is unable to pivot around the axis (14) as shown in FIG. 2C.

[0057] Consequent to the shape of the hemisphere (31), an angle (18) between a plane of the lower surface (311) and a tangent (19) at the end of the hemisphere (31) causes a sharp bend for the string (4) as shown in FIG. 2B. Due to taut tying of the knot while keeping the string (4) taut, and the sharp bend, the knot (5) is NOT free to move from a position below the flat lower surface (311) to the side wards as already shown in FIG. 1D. In other words, the lateral shift of the knot (5) is restricted.

[0058] Consequent to restricted pivoting and the lateral shift of the knot (5), the hanging portion (9) of the string (4) continue to project downwards and do NOT develop tendency to get retracted and thus do NOT curl up in the uterus (16) through the cervix (17) as earlier shown in FIG. 1E.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D, the region (3) is a hemisphere (31) having a flat lower surface (311) perpendicular to the central vertical stem (1) with a plurality of recess (312) present on the flat lower surface (311). The trajectory is a closed channel (6a) with a pair of openings (61a, 61b) at the ends of the closed channel (6a), provided transversally to the central vertical stem (1) in the hemisphere (31), an axis (14) of the channel (6a) being parallel to the flat lower surface (311) of the hemisphere (31).

[0060] The string (4) is passed through a first opening (61a) of the channel (6a) and retrieved from a second opening (61b) of the channel and a knot (5) is tied keeping the string (4) taut immediately below at the flat lower surface (311) of the hemisphere (31) and in the middle, such that the knot (5) rests in the recess (312) provided in the flat lower surface (311) of the hemisphere (31), as shown in FIG. 3B, leaving the hanging portion (9) of the string (4) free.

[0061] Consequent to a shape of the hemisphere (31) and a shape of the trajectory, the length of the string (S) is shorter than the distance (r) of the region (3); and the loop (15) of the string, and therefore the knot (5) is unable to pivot around the axis (14) as shown in FIG. 3C.

[0062] Consequent to the shape of the hemisphere (311), an angle (18) between a plane of the flat lower surface (311) and a tangent (19) at the end of the hemisphere (31) causes a sharp bend for the string (4). Due to taut tying of the knot while keeping the string (4) taut, and the sharp bend, the knot (5) is NOT free to move from a position below the flat lower surface (311) to the side wards as shown in FIG. 3B. Further, consequent to the knot (5) resting in the recess (312), the knot (5) is further restricted from moving from the position below the flat lower surface (311) to the side wards as shown in FIG. 1D. In other words, the lateral shift of the knot (5) is restricted.

[0063] Consequent to the restricted pivoting and the lateral shift of the knot (5), the hanging portion (9) of the string (4) continue to project downwards and do NOT develop tendency to get retracted and thus do NOT curl up in the uterus (16) through the cervix (17) as shown in FIG. 1E.

[0064] Referring to FIG. 4A and 4B, the region (3) is a sphere (32) present at the distal end (12) of the central vertical stem (1) of the IUD (20). The trajectory is a triangular closed channel (6b) with a three pairs of openings (62a, 62b), (62c, 62d) and (62e, 62f) at a three ends of the triangular closed channel (6b), an axis (14) of openings (62a, 62b) being transversal to the central vertical stem (1) and a middle of the opening (62e) and opening (62d) substantially in a same axis (13a) as of the central vertical stem (1).

[0065] A first end (4a) of the string (4) is passed through the opening (62e) of the triangular closed channel (6b) and retrieved from the opening (62f) of the triangular closed channel (6b). The same first end (4a) of the retrieved string (4) is then passed through the opening (62a) and retrieved from the opening (62b). Finally the same first end (4a) of the retrieved string (4) is passed through the opening (62c) and retrieved from the opening (62d). A knot (5) is tied keeping the string (4) taut immediately in the middle of the opening (62e) and the opening (62d), leaving the hanging portion (9) of the string (4) free.

[0066] Consequent to the shape of the sphere (32) and the corresponding trajectory (6b) the length of the string (S) is shorter than the distance (r) of the region (3); and the loop (15) of the string and therefore the knot (5) is unable to pivot around the axis (14) as shown in FIG. 4C.

[0067] Consequent to the shape of the sphere (32), and the corresponding trajectory (6b), the knot (5) is NOT free to move from the position in the middle of the opening (62e) and the opening (62d) to the side wards as shown in FIG. 1D. In other words, the lateral shift of the knot (5) is restricted.

[0068] Consequent to the restricted pivoting and the lateral shift of the knot (5), the hanging portion (9) of the string continue to project downwards and do NOT develop tendency to get retracted and thus do NOT curl up in the uterus (16) through the cervix (17).

[0069] According to FIG. 5A and 5B, the region (3) is a cylinder (33) present at the distal end (12) of the central vertical stem (1) of the IUD (20). The trajectory is a pair of parallel vertical closed channels (6c) through the region (3), each with a pair of openings (63a, 63b) and (63c, 63d) at both ends of the parallel vertical closed channels (6c). The first end (4a) of the string (4) of the IUD (20) is passed through the opening (63b) and retrieved from the opening (63a). The same first end (4a) of the string is then passed through the opening (63c) and is retrieved from the opening (63d). A knot (5) is tied tautly immediately below a surface (332) and in the middle of the cylinder (33).

[0070] Consequent to the shape of the cylinder (33) and the corresponding trajectory (6c), the length of the string (S) is shorter than the distance (r) of the region (3); and the loop (15) of the string, and therefore the knot (5) is unable to pivot around the axis (14).

[0071] Consequent to the shape of the cylinder (33), and the corresponding trajectory (6c), the knot (5) is NOT free to move from position in the middle of the opening (63b) and the opening (63d) to side wards as shown in FIG. 1D. In other words, the lateral shift of the knot (5) is restricted

[0072] Consequent to restricted pivoting and lateral shift of the knot (5), the hanging portion (9) of the string continue to project downwards and do NOT develop tendency to get retracted and thus do NOT curl up in the uterus (16) through the cervix (17).

[0073] In another embodiment, referring to FIG. 5C, the region (3) is a cylinder (34) present at the distal end (12) of the central vertical stem (1) of the IUD (20). The trajectory is a closed channel (6d) with a pair of openings (64a, 64b) at the ends of the closed channel (6d), provided transversally to the central vertical stem (1) in the cylinder (34), through the closed channel (6d) and its axis (14) is parallel to the flat lower surface (342) of the cylinder (34). The string (4) is passed through the first opening (64a) of the channel (6d) and retrieved from a second opening (64b) of the channel and the knot (5) is tied keeping the string (4) taut, immediately below the flat lower surface (342) of the cylinder (34) and in the middle, leaving the hanging portion (9) of the strings (4) free.

[0074] In another embodiment, the plurality of recess (312) is present on the surface (342) of the region (3) having differed shape and size. The recess provided on the surface of the region (3) retains the knot in the recess and thus restricts the lateral movement of the knot (5) as shown in FIG. 5D.

[0075] In another embodiment, wherever the string (4) is outside closed channels, an open channel is carved in the region.

[0076] In another embodiments, one or more recess shown in FIG. 3A, 3B, 3D, 5D can be open channels (312c) as shown in FIG. 6.

[0077] In another embodiment, referring to FIG. 7A and 7B the region (3) is a spheroid (35) where trajectory is a closed channel (6f) in “T” shape, with three opening (65a, 65b and 65c) at the three ends of “T” shape of the closed channel (6f), an axis (14) of openings (65a, 65b) being transversal to the central vertical stem (1) and a middle opening (65c) substantially in a same axis (13a) as of the central vertical stem (1).

[0078] A first end (4a) of a string (4) is passed through the opening (65a) of the closed channel (6f) and retrieved from the middle opening (65c) of the closed channel (6f). A knot (5a) is tied in the vicinity of the middle opening (65c) keeping the string (4) taut as shown in FIG. 7B. The first end (4a) of the string (4) is again passed through the opening (65c) of the closed channel (6f) and retrieved from the opening (65b). Another knot (5b) is tied in the vicinity of the middle opening (65c) keeping the string (4) taut. Knot (5) tied now, keeping the string (4a) taut leaving the hanging portion (9) of the strings (4) free.

[0079] Consequent to the shape of the spheroid (35) and the corresponding trajectory (6f) the length of the string (S) is shorter than the distance (r) of the region (3); and the loop (15) of the string and therefore the knot (5) is unable to pivot around the axis (14) as shown in FIG. 7C.

[0080] Consequent to the shape of the spheroid (35), and the corresponding trajectory (6f), the knot (5) is NOT free to move from the position in the middle of the opening (65c) to the side wards as shown in FIG. 1D. In other words, the lateral shift of the knot (5) is restricted.

[0081] Consequent to the restricted pivoting and the lateral shift of the knot (5), the hanging portion (9) of the string continue to project downwards and do NOT develop tendency to get retracted and thus do NOT curl up in the uterus (16) through the cervix (17).

[0082] In another embodiment, referring to FIG. 8 the region is a spheroid (36) where trajectory is a closed channel (6g) in a “π” shape, with four opening (65a, 65b, 65c and 65d) at the four ends of “π” shape of the closed channel (6g), an axis (14) of openings (65a, 65b) being transversal to the central vertical stem (1) and a middle openings (65c) and a middle opening (65d) on either side of the axis (13a) of the central vertical stem (1)

[0083] A first end (4a) of the string (4) is passed through the opening (66a) of the closed channel (6f) and retrieved from the middle opening (65c) of the closed channel (6f), a knot (5a) is tied in the vicinity of the middle opening (66c) keeping the string (4) taut as shown in FIG. 8B, the first end (4a) of the string (4) again passed through the opening (65d) of the closed channel (6f) and retrieved from the opening (65b). An other knot (5b) is tied in the vicinity of the middle opening (65d) keeping the string (4) taut. The knot (5) tied thereafter, keeping the string (4) taut leaving the hanging portion (9) of the strings (4) free.

[0084] Such undesired curling of the string of the IUD can be restricted in a similar manner with different shapes and types of intra uterine devices and different shapes of the region whether copper or hormonal or medicinal as illustrated in FIG. 9.