US3675648A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Intrauterine contraceptive device
Assignee: Alza Corp
•
Filing: 1970-08-05
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Granted: 1972-07-11
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Expires: 1990-08-05
Abstract
Abstract Intrauterine contraceptive device is an integral filamentary body with a flexible closed ovoid loop stem. At its leading end, the stem terminates in a pair of laterally extending flexible arms and, at its trailing end, terminates in a pair of laterally and axially rearwardly extending relatively inflexible arms, shorter in length than the arms at the leading end. Trailing arms serve to anchor the device relative to the cervix while the leading arms, as well as the stem, are free to conform to changes in position caused by muscular contractions of the uterus.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruce B Pharriss
- 👤 Max Anliker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 07:41
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F6/00; A61F6/06; A61F6/14; A61F6/142
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
An intrauterine contraceptive device, non-irritating to the uterus, adapted for comfortable retention therein and resistant to expulsion therefrom, and which does not cause erosion or perforation of the uterine walls, said device being comprised of an intEgral filamentary body having a flexible closed ovoid loop stem, said stem terminating at one end in a pair of opposed laterally extending flexible leading arms adapted to abut against the fundus of the uterus and which define a physiologically acceptable surface to receive the force of muscular contractions of the said uterus, and terminating at its other end in a pair of opposed laterally and axially rearwardly extending relatively inflexible trailing arms which are shorter in length than the said leading arms, said trailing arms adapted to provide a fixed anchor point for the intrauterine device within the uterus, said closed ovoid loop stem between said leading and trailing arms having a lateral extent at least equal to that of said trailing arms; and whereby, when inserted in the uterus, said device can adapt itself to the shape of the uterine lumen during muscular contractions of the said uterus without being expelled therefrom.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
190 words
An intrauterine contraceptive device, non-irritating to the uterus, adapted for comfortable retention therein and resistant to expulsion therefrom, and which does not cause erosion or perforation of the uterine walls, said device being comprised of an intEgral filamentary body having a flexible closed ovoid loop stem, said stem terminating at one end in a pair of opposed laterally extending flexible leading arms adapted to abut against the fundus of the uterus and which define a physiologically acceptable surface to receive the force of muscular contractions of the said uterus, and terminating at its other end in a pair of opposed laterally and axially rearwardly extending relatively inflexible trailing arms which are shorter in length than the said leading arms, said trailing arms adapted to provide a fixed anchor point for the intrauterine device within the uterus, said closed ovoid loop stem between said leading and trailing arms having a lateral extent at least equal to that of said trailing arms; and whereby, when inserted in the uterus, said device can adapt itself to the shape of the uterine lumen during muscular contractions of the said uterus without being expelled therefrom.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The intrauterine device of claim 1 wherein the said leading arms subtend an angle of 120* to 180* with respect to each other and the said trailing arms subtend an angle of 90* to 180* with respect to each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The intrauterine device of claim 1 wherein the said trailing arms are tapered toward their extremities.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The intrauterine device of claim 1 wherein each of the leading arms has a length of 40 to 80 percent the axial length of the stem and each of the trailing arms has a length of 10 to 40 percent the axial length of the stem.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The intrauterine device of claim 1, wherein the leading arms each are about 2 cm. in length, the trailing arms each are about 0.7 cm. in length, and the longitudinal axial stem length is about 3 cm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The intrauterine device of claim 1 wherein the stem is symmetrical about its longitudinal axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The intrauterine device of claim 6 wherein the area circumscribed by the closed ovoid loop stem is greater toward the end bearing the trailing arms than toward the end bearing the trailing arms.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
136 words
The intrauterine contraceptive device of claim 1 comprising a flexible closed ovoid loop stem which is symmetrical about its longitudinal axis and circumscribes an area greater toward one end than toward the other end, said stem terminating at the one end in a pair of flexible leading arms extending laterally and subtending an angle of 120* to 180* with respect to each other and each of the leading arms having a length of 40 to 80 percent axial length of the stem, and said stem terminating at its other end in a pair of relatively inflexible trailing arms extending laterally and axially rearwardly and subtending an angle of 90* to 180* with respect to each other and each of the trailing arms having a length of 10 to 40 percent the axial length of the stem.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3516403A
Cited
US3454004A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-11 | 1976-01-10 | 1976-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-11 | 1980-01-10 | 1980-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-11 | 1984-01-10 | 1984-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |