Patent US3994291A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3994291A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Salmasian inflatable intra-uterine device
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-07-01
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Granted: 1976-11-30
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Expires: 1994-07-01
Abstract
Abstract An intra-uterine device comprising a support member and a plurality of branch members connected to said support member and extending from all sides of said support member, said support member and branch members being inflatable and being adapted so as to fit substantially entirely within the uterine cavity of the user thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 Saeed Salmasian
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 09:43
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F6/00; A61F6/06; A61F6/14; A61F6/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
An intra-uterine device comprising a support member having plural sides and a plurality of branch member connected to said support member and extending from all said sides of said support member, said support member and branch members being inflatable and being adapted so as to fit substantially entirely within the uterine cavity of the user thereof, wherein at least a major number of said branch members indivudually comprise first portions of elongated shape and second portions, said second portions being more remote from said support member than their respective said first portions and being connected to said support member by said first portions, said second portions comprising respective lateral regions extending beyond the lateral parts of said first portions and there being a relatively abrupt transition between said first and second portions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
An intra-uterine device comprising a support member having plural sides and a plurality of branch member connected to said support member and extending from all said sides of said support member, said support member and branch members being inflatable and being adapted so as to fit substantially entirely within the uterine cavity of the user thereof, wherein at least a major number of said branch members indivudually comprise first portions of elongated shape and second portions, said second portions being more remote from said support member than their respective said first portions and being connected to said support member by said first portions, said second portions comprising respective lateral regions extending beyond the lateral parts of said first portions and there being a relatively abrupt transition between said first and second portions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
An intra-uterine device as in claim 1, wherein said second portions are disposed proximate to each other so as to form a generally continuous loop comprising said second portions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
An intra-uterine device as in claim 1, wherein a said branch member consists entirely of an elongated first branch member disposed at a first side of said support member, said first branch member being of substantially uniform cross-section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
An intra-uterine device as in claim 3, wherein a single said branch member is disposed at an opposite second side of said support member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
An intra-uterine device as in claim 4, wherein said single branch member and said support member are substantially co-axial.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
An intra-uterine device as in claim 3, wherein a bifurcate pair of said branch members are disposed at a second side of said support member and individually are obliquely disposed with respect to the axis of said support member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
An intra-uterine device as in claim 6, wherein said branch members individually form an acute angle with the axis of said support member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
An intra-uterine device as in claim 1, wherein said second portions individually comprise first and second oppositely disposed major surface members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
An intra-uterine device as in claim 8, wherein at least one of said surface members of said device comprises a discontinuity.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
An intra-uterine device as in claim 8, wherein at least one of said major surface members comprises at least one depressed region.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
An intra-uterine device as in claim 10, wherein said depressed region comprises a generally grove shaped structure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
An intra-uterine device as in claim 10, wherein said depressed region comprises a generally pocket shaped structure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
An intra-uterine device as in claim 10, wherein said depressed region comprises a generally channel shaped structure.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
An intra-uterine device as in claim 8, wherein at least one of said major surface members of said device comprises at least one protrusion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
An intra-uterine device as in claim 8, wherein at least one of said surface members of said device comprises a concave area.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
An intra-uterine device as in claim 8, wherein said surface members are joined together at their respective peripheral portions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
An intra-uterine device as in claim 2, wherein said first portions are individually relatively flexible.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
101 words
An intra-uterine device comprising a support member having plural sides and a plurality of branch members connected to said support member and extending from all of said sides of said support member, said support member and branch members being inflatable and being adapted so as to fit substantially entirely within the uterine cavity of the user thereof, wherein one of said branch members is elongated and disposed at a side of said support member, the respective interiors of said elongated branch member and said support member communicate with each other and said elongated branch member includes at least one fluid valve.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
101 words
An intra-uterine device comprising a support member having plural sides and a plurality of branch members connected to said support member and extending from all of said sides of said support member, said support member and branch members being inflatable and being adapted so as to fit substantially entirely within the uterine cavity of the user thereof, wherein one of said branch members is elongated and disposed at a side of said support member, the respective interiors of said elongated branch member and said support member communicate with each other and said elongated branch member includes at least one fluid valve.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
An intra-uterine device as in claim 18, wherein said elongated branch member comprises an area of weakness that is adapted to be ruptured, thereby permitting the fluid contents of said device to be removed.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
39 words
An intra-uterine device as in claim 18, wherein said branch member comprises a terminal portion remote from said support member, said terminal portion forming an extendible curled portion that is entirely disposed within the uterine cavity of the user.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
117 words
An intra-uterine device comprising a support member having plural sides and a plurality of branch members connected to said support member and extending from all of said sides of said support member, said support member and branch member being inflatable and being adapted so as to fit substantially entirely within the uterine cavity of the user thereof, wherein at least all of said branch members projecting laterally from said support member individually comprise both a tubular first portion connected at one end thereof to said support member and an enlarged second portion at the other end of said first portion, the respective interiors of said support member and said first and second portions communicating with each other.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
117 words
An intra-uterine device comprising a support member having plural sides and a plurality of branch members connected to said support member and extending from all of said sides of said support member, said support member and branch member being inflatable and being adapted so as to fit substantially entirely within the uterine cavity of the user thereof, wherein at least all of said branch members projecting laterally from said support member individually comprise both a tubular first portion connected at one end thereof to said support member and an enlarged second portion at the other end of said first portion, the respective interiors of said support member and said first and second portions communicating with each other.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
82 words
Anintra-uterine device comprising a support member having plural sides and a plurality of branch members connected to said support member and extending from all of said sides of said support member, said support member and branch members being inflatable and being adapted so as to fit substantially entirely within the uterine cavity of the user thereof, wherein said branch members comprise inflatable enlarged distal portions, at least one of said enlarged portions having a profile configuration that is circular, ovate, or elliptical.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
82 words
Anintra-uterine device comprising a support member having plural sides and a plurality of branch members connected to said support member and extending from all of said sides of said support member, said support member and branch members being inflatable and being adapted so as to fit substantially entirely within the uterine cavity of the user thereof, wherein said branch members comprise inflatable enlarged distal portions, at least one of said enlarged portions having a profile configuration that is circular, ovate, or elliptical.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
89 words
An intra-uterine device comprising a support member having plural sides and a plurality of branch members connected to said support member and extending from all of said sides of said support member, said support member and branch members being inflatable and being adapted so as to fit substantially entirely within the uterine cavity of the user thereof, wherein a particular said branch member consists of tubular structure characterized by a plastic memory, such that said tubular structure can coil upon itself, said tubular structure comprising an enlarged distal portion.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
89 words
An intra-uterine device comprising a support member having plural sides and a plurality of branch members connected to said support member and extending from all of said sides of said support member, said support member and branch members being inflatable and being adapted so as to fit substantially entirely within the uterine cavity of the user thereof, wherein a particular said branch member consists of tubular structure characterized by a plastic memory, such that said tubular structure can coil upon itself, said tubular structure comprising an enlarged distal portion.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
An intra-uterine device as in claim 23, wherein said enlarged portion forms a relatively sharp angle with the axis of said tubular structure.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
125 words
An intra-uterine device comprising a support member having plural sides and a plurality of branch members connected to said support member and extending from all of said sides of said support member, said support member and branch members being inflatable and being adapted so as to fit substantially entirely within the uterine cavity of the user thereof, wherein a particular said branch member is axially aligned with said support member and is connected to the end thereof, said particular branch member having its interior in communication with said support member and comprising an elongated first portion connected at one end thereof to said support member and an enlarged second portion remote from said support member and connected to the opposite end of said first portion.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
125 words
An intra-uterine device comprising a support member having plural sides and a plurality of branch members connected to said support member and extending from all of said sides of said support member, said support member and branch members being inflatable and being adapted so as to fit substantially entirely within the uterine cavity of the user thereof, wherein a particular said branch member is axially aligned with said support member and is connected to the end thereof, said particular branch member having its interior in communication with said support member and comprising an elongated first portion connected at one end thereof to said support member and an enlarged second portion remote from said support member and connected to the opposite end of said first portion.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
108 words
An intra-uterine device comprising a support member having plural sides and a plurality of branch members connected to said support member and extending from all of said sides of said support member, said support member and branch members being inflatable and being adapted so as to fit substantially entirely within the uterine cavity of the user thereof, wherein at least one of said branch members comprises an elongated first portion connected to said support member and an enlarged second portion connected to the distal end of said first portion, the cross-sectional configuration of said second portion being elliptical, double convave, ovoid, double convex, concavo-convex, double convex, or oblate.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
108 words
An intra-uterine device comprising a support member having plural sides and a plurality of branch members connected to said support member and extending from all of said sides of said support member, said support member and branch members being inflatable and being adapted so as to fit substantially entirely within the uterine cavity of the user thereof, wherein at least one of said branch members comprises an elongated first portion connected to said support member and an enlarged second portion connected to the distal end of said first portion, the cross-sectional configuration of said second portion being elliptical, double convave, ovoid, double convex, concavo-convex, double convex, or oblate.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
70 words
An intra-uterine device comprising a support member having plural sides and a plurality of branch members connected to said support member and extending from all of said sides of said support member, said support member and branch members being inflatable and being adapted so as to fit substantially entirely within the uterine cavity of the user thereof, wherein lower ones of said branch members are oriented in a retrograde direction.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
70 words
An intra-uterine device comprising a support member having plural sides and a plurality of branch members connected to said support member and extending from all of said sides of said support member, said support member and branch members being inflatable and being adapted so as to fit substantially entirely within the uterine cavity of the user thereof, wherein lower ones of said branch members are oriented in a retrograde direction.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
28 words
An intra-uterine device as in claim 27, wherein said lower branch members comprise tubular first portions and enlarged second portions at least partly disposed below said first portion.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
37 words
An intra-uterine device as in claim 27, wherein upper ones of said branch members are oriented with respect to said support member so as to form individually therewith an angle that is acute, obtuse, or right angle.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
104 words
An intra-uterine device comprising a support member having plural sides and a plurality of branch members connected to said support member and extending from all of said sides of said support member, said support member and branch members being inflatable and being adapted so as to fit substantially entirely within the uterine cavity of the user thereof, wherein plural said branch members comprise substantially tubular first portions and second portions, at least one of said second portions individually comprising at least one surface discontinuity, thereon, said discontinuity being located at at least one of the interior and peripheral surface parts of said second portion.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
104 words
An intra-uterine device comprising a support member having plural sides and a plurality of branch members connected to said support member and extending from all of said sides of said support member, said support member and branch members being inflatable and being adapted so as to fit substantially entirely within the uterine cavity of the user thereof, wherein plural said branch members comprise substantially tubular first portions and second portions, at least one of said second portions individually comprising at least one surface discontinuity, thereon, said discontinuity being located at at least one of the interior and peripheral surface parts of said second portion.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
19 words
An intra-uterine device as in claim 30, comprising plural said discontinuities distributed over the surface of said second portion.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-11-30 | 1980-05-31 | 1980-11-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-11-30 | 1984-05-31 | 1984-11-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-11-30 | 1988-05-31 | 1988-11-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |