United States Patent: 3561438

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United States Patent	3,561,438
Canel	February 9, 1971

GYNAECOLOGICAL DEVICE

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.

Inventors:	Canel; Robert (Aix-en-Provence Bouches du Rhone, FR)
Appl. No.:	04/744,023
Filed:	July 11, 1968

Current U.S. Class: 128/839

Current International Class: A61F 6/00 (20060101); A61F 6/14 (20060101); A61f 005/46 ()

Field of Search: 128/127,128,129,130,131

References Cited [Referenced By]

U.S. Patent Documents


1917870	July 1933	Bley
3200815	August 1965	Margulies
3397691	August 1968	Maxzlin

Primary Examiner: Eager; Adele M.

Claims

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.

Description

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. The result 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.

A further means which has been well tested and involves no noteworthy danger of secondary effects, consists of a diaphragm which is placed in position before intercourse 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.

Others are made of flexible plastics material and are 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 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, the dimensions of 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 is manufactured must be such that contact with the human tissues will not cause irritation. What may be used is in particular a material of the class of the superpolyamides, such as nylon and the undecanamide polymers, high and low pressure polyethylenes and acrylic polymers, although this list is not limitative.

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 1 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 grain-shaped 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 1b has, at its end a thin flexible walled 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.

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Current U.S. Class:	128/839
Current International Class:	A61F 6/00 (20060101); A61F 6/14 (20060101); A61f 005/46 ()
Field of Search:	128/127,128,129,130,131