Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for loading an intrauterine contraceptive device into the barrel of an inserter. The device includes an apertured tubular section having a closed end section at one end. The closed end defines an enlarged chamber. The device has a stem, a flexible arm generally transverse to the stem, and an enlarged head at one end of the stem. The device is receivable in the instrument when the stem is partially disposed within the barrel and the barrel is displaced forwardly until the head is received in the chamber. The head engages the shoulder that is defined between the aperture and the chamber in the instrument, thereby to retain the device in the instrument when the barrel is withdrawn. The device is removable from the instrument when the barrel is inserted again into the instrument to dislodge the head from the shoulder so that the barrel can be withdrawn together with the device.

Abstract: An instrument adapted for collapsing the extended arms of a T-shaped intrauterine device and loading the collapsed device into an insertion tube is disclosed.

Abstract: A uterine sound is described having a probe with measuring indicia inscribed thereon and a horseshoe-shaped body slidable along said probe and cooperative therewith for measurement of uterine position and dimension. A raised rib is located along a substantial length of the probe to normally retain the horseshoe-shaped body in parallel alignment with the longitudinal axis of the probe. When the body is displaced from parallel alignment with the probe, the rib interacts with the body to fix the body relative to the probe, and permit withdrawal of the probe and body as a unit. An internal stop mechanism is employed to prevent excessive movement of the body relative to the probe.