EP0798999A1 — Inserter for the positioning of an intrauterine device

USPTO Abstract

An inserter (10) for the positioning of an intrauterine device (IUD, 40) in the uterus, which inserter comprises a plunger (11), a handle (20) attached to the plunger, a string (41) for the removal of the IUD, a locking device to lock the string in such a way that the IUD remains immobile in relation to the plunger, and a protective tube (12) around the plunger. The protective tube (12) is arranged in relation to the plunger in such a way that it can be pushed, at the forward end (12') that goes into the uterus, past the plunger at distance (L), which corresponds substantially to the length of the IUD assembled for insertion. The stop members (R1 and R2) ensure that the front edge (12a, toward the uterus) of the protective tube is stopped in a configuration in which the hemispherical tips (42a, 43a) of the wings (42, 43) of the transverse member of a T-shaped IUD remain partly uncovered by the protective tube (12), but the wings (42, 43) nevertheless remain pressed against each other.