US3561438A - Gynaecological device - Google Patents

Abstract

A gynecological device for birth control in the form of a resilient spiral filament the turns of which decrease in size from one end to the other to fit into the uterine cavity, the largest turn terminating in a bulged portion serving as a stop means for an instrument which assists the introduction of the device, the smallest turn terminating in a retaining cone which holds the device in position.

Description

United States Patent inventor Robert Canel 2 rue Gustave Desplace, Aix-en-Provence Bouches du Rhone, France Appl. No. 744,023 Filed July 11, 1968 Patented Feb. 9, 1971 GYNAECOLOGICAL DEVICE 2 Claims, 1 Drawing Fig.

11.8. C1. 128/130, 128/127 Int. Cl A6lf 5/46 Field of Search 128/ 1 27,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,917,870 7/1933 Bley 128/131 3,200,815 8/1965 Margu1ies.. .7 128/130 3,397,691 8/1968 Maxzlin 128/130 Primary Examiner-Adele M. Eager Attorney-Stevens, Davis, Miller & Mosher ABSTRACT: A gynecological device for birth control in the form of a resilient spiral filament the turns of which decrease in size from one end to the other to fit into the uterine cavity, the largest turn terminating in a bulged portion serving as a stop means for an instrument which assists the introduction of the device, the smallest turn terminating in a retaining cone which holds the device in position.

1 GYNAECOLOGICAL DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Due to present-day'technical development and the evolution of thinking as the result of world population expansion and developments with regard to those pathological cases wherein pregnancy is quite legally disallowed, various birth control methods have been proposed.

Some, known under the general name of pills, are administered orally. Theresult of this-treatment is to systematically compress conception by a very considerable addition of hormones. If, in the majority of cases, this very inconvenient form of treatment is well tolerated by the organism, it sometimes happens, in certain unforeseeable cases, that patients suffer unpleasant secondary effects, notably circulatory troubles, an increase in weight, dermatological and hepatorenal disorders, etc. I

I A further means which has been well tested and involves no noteworthy danger of secondary'eflects, consists of a diaphragm which is placed in position beforeintercourse takes place. However, a practice of this kind is repugnant to many couples who see, in this preparation, an offense to the sentiments and even to the erotic stimuli preceding the sexual act. Furthermore, and this is an important factor, there are many failures."

Finally, numerous devices which are permanently introduced into the uterus prevent nidation and also set up a mechanical obstacle. Some are made of metal 'and may, in the case of an impact, cause serious accidents. Furthermore, they are heavy and often not'well tolerated by the mucous membranes which they sometimes upset. They also deteriorate ,very rapidly and they frequently require to be removed.

1 Others are made of flexible plastics material and are I generally better tolerated by the mucous membranes. However, these apparatus, which frequently have various shapes, bear on the inner walls of the mucous membrane only through the agency of branched tangent lines It follows that the uterus walls are in contact with the plastics or metal material along lines which are proportionally thinner as the diameter or the sides of the filaments constituting the branches are smaller. Now, it is necessary that the apparatus should remain in position and therefore exert a constant and flexible force on the largest possible surface of the walls of the inner mucous membrane, doing so despite the variations in this cavity. The stress thus developed is all the stronger in proportion as it is applied on a smaller surface. The consequence thereof is a risk of inflammation of the mucous membranes. Furthermore, since the inner wall is not affected at all by the device, there is a risk (extremely small, it is true, but nevertheless existing) of fertilization.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an improved gynecological device permitting these disadvantages to be obviated.

According to the present invention there is provided a gynecological device comprising aiesilient filament'having the spiral being of the order of magnitude of those of a uterine cavity put in such manner that, when introduced through the cervix and placed in position in the said cavity, the spiral bears resiliently against the mucous membrane and exerts there only a moderate stress per unit of contact surface.

The largest turns may, optionally but with advantage, terminate in a bulged or grain-shaped portion serving as an arresting means for the instrument, for example a slotted trocar, employed for the introduction of the device, at this end, into the uterus cervix. Furthermore, the spiral may terminate, at the opposite side, in a retaining cone having a flexible and extremely thin wall-and suitable for fulfilling the role of a catch in the cervix and preventing the accidental ejection of the device.

The material from which the spiral 1s manufactured must be BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The present invention will now be described in greater detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein the sole FIGURE is a perspective view of a preferred form of gynecological device.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As the drawing shows, the apparatus comprises a resilient spiral l the section of which is as may be desired but which has no roughened portions capable of injuring the tissues, the successive turns decreasing in size downwardly, in such manner that they are inscribed in a space having approximately the shape of a cone 2 having a small angle at the apex.

The largest terminal turn 1a has, at its end a bulged or grainshaped portion 3 which has no roughened portions and the size of which is sufficiently small to enable it to be introduced into the uterus cervix without it being necessary to distend the latter. The said portion 3 may be integral with the spiral or may be fitted at the end thereof.

The smallest terminal turn lb has, at its end a thin flexiblewalled cone 4 which is designed to remain in the cervix, after the placing in position of the device, so as to constitute, there, a retaining means preventing the falling out of the device by being buttressed" at its edge against the mucous membrane of the cervix.

I claim:

1. A gynecological device comprising a resilient filament having the shape of a spiral, the turns of which decrease in size from one end to the other so as to fit into a space having the shape of a cone having a small angle at the apex, and wherein the largest turn terminates in a bulged portion serving as a stop means for an instrument which is utilized for the introduction of the device into the uterus cervix, the dimensions of the spiral being of the order of magnitude of those of a uterine cavity.

2. A gynecological device according to claim 1, wherein the spiral terminates, on the side of the smallest turn, in a retaining cone having an extremely thin and flexible wall and suitable for fulfilling the role of a catch in the cervix, thus preventing the accidental ejection of the device.

Claims (2)

1. A gynecological device comprising a resilient filament having the shape of a spiral, the turns of which decrease in size from one end to the other so as to fit into a space having the shape of a cone having a small angle at the apex, and wherein the largest turn terminates in a bulged portion serving as a stop means for an instrument which is utilized for the introduction of the device into the uterus cervix, the dimensions of the spiral being of the order of magnitude of those of a uterine cavity.

2. A gynecological device according to claim 1, wherein the spiral terminates, on the side of the smallest turn, in a retaining cone having an extremely thin and flexible wall and suitable for fulfilling the role of a catch in the cervix, thus preventing the accidental ejection of the device.

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