Abstract: A product for the administration of an active pharmaceutical agent via the vaginal canal comprising:(a) a sealed, air-tight package, enclosing therein;(b) a sponge impregnated with a liquid containing an effective amount of an active pharmaceutical agent, said liquid being present in an amount greater than that which is blocked within said sponge but less than the saturation value of said sponge such that when said sponge is inserted in the vaginal canal it will release liquid therefrom.

Abstract: The invention relates to an intrauterine contraceptive device having at least two flexible arms. The contraceptive device is provided with at least two almost horizontal arms having solid tips. The arms, are provided at the front and back with cavities in longitudinal direction. The central point of the contraceptive device is provided with a flexible thread, surrounded by a device acting as contraceptive. The active device may consist of copper rings, which rings are retained by a holding means located below the thread. Next to copper rings a flexible tube provided with openings may be used, into which an active contraceptive drug, for instance a hormone preparation, is inserted. An important advantage of the contraceptive device according to the invention is the absence of the vertical stem of the IUD. The arms and the central point of the contraceptive device are made from a flexible synthetic material which is tolerated by the uterus, preferably from polyethylene.

Abstract: Intrauterine device having a spiral (1,2) wound on a plastic material support (3). The spiral comprises a pair of different metals welded together or being in close reciprocal contact. The spiral is in contact with the uterine environment.

Abstract: An improved intra-uterine device which is a deformable element in the form of a plastic fibre (1) releasing a substance which is active into the uterine cavity, the fibre has several strands (3, 3') or loops (2) placed side by side and held together in one assembly zone (4) of reduced dimensions in relation to the length of the said strands or loops, and of an element for attaching it in the uterine cavity, the element being in the form of filament (5) carrying a securing element (6) for hooking to the tissue of the uterus, suitable for insertion with the aid of a needle, and integral with the the fibre. The device is applicable to the field of the intra-uterine contraceptive devices and of the devices for the treatment of the uterus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of fabricating intra-uterine contraceptives, the said contraceptives comprising an elongated component (2), a copper wire spiral (3) placed around the elongated component (2) and a crosswise component (1) attached essentially by its middle point to one end of the elongated component (2). The elongated component (2) essentially of equal diameter throughout its length and the crosswise component (1) lateral to the elongated component (2) and attached to it by its midpoint are formed into a single contiguous piece. A separate copper wire spiral (3) is placed over the elongated component (2) via its unobstructed end, whereafter a sleeve (4) is then attached to support the copper wire spiral (3).

Abstract: An improved tampon is provided having one or more loops placed entirely through the tampon for ease in insertion and removal of an attached spherical member into and from a body cavity. Moreover, the improved tampon can be impregnated at select depths with specific spermicides, anti-infectives, lubricants, hormones, antioxidants, amino acids, etc., to allow release of inner-impregnated fluids from the member into the body cavity. Closely controlled impregnation and/or coating of the tampon is achieved by a method of manufacture employing one or more sonic baths containing necessary impregnating and/or coating fluids.

Abstract: A retention device which can be removably retained in a body cavity has branch members which are movably connected to each other such that two relative configurations may be obtained. In one configuration the branch members are nested inside one another for inserting the retention device in a cavity. Once in a cavity an operating member is used to displace the branch members to form the second configuration, in which parts of the branch members are expanded to bear against the walls of the cavity and retain the device.

Abstract: Contraceptive devices which are effective for extended periods of time are described, in the form of means for releasing an effective amount of a gonadotropin hormone releasing hormone composition and means for releasing an effective amount of an estrogenic hormone over a first period of time, and means for releasing an effective amount of a progestogen for a second period of time, the second period of time being substantially shorter than and running simultaneously with a portion of the first period of time. The gonadotropin hormone releasing hormone composition is selected from gonadotropin hormone releasing hormone, gonadotropin hormone releasing hormone analogues, gonadotropin hormone releasing hormone agonists, gonadotropin hormone releasing hormone antagonists and mixtures thereof. Contraceptive methods employing the devices are also described.

Abstract: Medical devices which are currently proposed to use elements made from shape memory alloys may be improved by the use of stress-induced martensite alloy elements instead. The use of stress-induced martensite decreases the temperature sensitivity of the devices, thereby making them easier to install and/or remove.

Abstract: A bacteriocidal virocidal sponge containing iodine and a surfactant which can be used as a contraceptive and as therapy for vaginitis. It consists of a polyurethane open cell foam impregnated with a surfactant and iodine. A bactericidal tampon containing an iodophor does not induce toxic shock syndrome.

Abstract: The invention relates to an implant of polymeric material which can release a contraceptive agent for a relatively long time when fitted subcutaneously or locally.

Abstract: Device which is to be placed in the uterus to which certain substances such as metals, metal ions, hormones or therapeutic substances which are to be effective in the uterus for a certain time, can be attached. The device comprises a stem with resilient or flexible arms projecting on either side of the stem near or at one extremity thereof, and the extremity of each of the two arms is bent through an angle greater than 90.degree. so that the extremities point towards the stem. The arms are thus built up of three parts, i.e. a first part and a second part or extension, and a bent piece between them, the three parts of each arm together form an arrow the legs of the arrow being formed by first part and the second part or extension of an arm, the parts being compliantly connected to each other by the bent piece. The direction of the first part near the bent piece points horizontally or upwards.

Abstract: Medical devices which are currently proposed to use elements made from shape memory alloys may be improved by the use of stress-induced martensite alloy elements instead. The use of stress-induced martensite decreases the temperature sensitivity of the devices, thereby making them easier to install and/or remove.

Abstract: The invention relates to an implant of polymeric material which can release a contraceptive agent for a relatively long time when fitted subcutaneously or locally. The implant comprises a core material of ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer which functions as a matrix for a contraceptive substance, an ethylene/vinyl acetate membrane encasing the core material, and a contact layer at the interface of the core material and membrane which prevents the separation of the core material from the membrane. The implant of the invention is made by a co-extrusion process.

Abstract: An electrified intrauterine device (IUD) is provided which has an IUD body member fabricated from materials which are physiologically compatible with human tissue and fluids and physically proportioned to be placed and retained within the uterus of a female mammal. Spaced-apart electrically conductive electrodes are formed on the IUD body member from electrically conductive materials that are physiologically compatible with human tissue and fluids. Self-contained electric batteries are supported within the IUD body member that forms a sealed outer casing of biologically inert material compatible with human tissue and fluids. The batteries are capable of producing an electromotive force of known voltage and current rating and are of a size to be inserted and retained within the uterus of a female mammal.

Abstract: An intrauterine contraceptive device, comprising a strip with rounded-off ends, a rod connected to the strip to form a T-shaped element therewith, a fixing element for retaining the entire device in the uterine cavity, made as an elastic loop, and a coil fitted over the rod, the elastic loop of the fixing element having an arc-shaped base and two elastic arms connected to the base and secured to the strip at the base of the rod, which elastic loop is coplanar with the rod and strip and encompasses the rod.

Abstract: Water absorptive polyurethane composition, having high mechanical strength, is formed of A. about 25% to about 75% of a hydrophilic polyether polyurethane which is the reaction product of diethylene glycol and a polyoxyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of about 1000 to about 8000 with a polyisocyanate and B. about 75% to about 25% of a hydrophobic polyester polyurethane which is the reaction product of a polyfunctional polyester derived from the condensation of a polyol with a polybasic acid with a polyisocyanate.

Abstract: An intrauterine device comprises a strip, a rod interconnected with the strip to form a T-shaped element therewith, a coil mounted on the rod, and a thread connected to the rod for dynamic monitoring of the IUD while in the uterine cavity. The coil has at least two layers, of which the first layer is made of an elastic polymer material, serves as a base, and faces directly the rod, while the second layer is made of metal.

Abstract: An electrical having electric field producing electrodes either on the exterior or the interior surfaces, or both, of either an electrical cervical cap or an electrical diaphragm and supplying the electrodes with electric potential from miniaturized electrical cells embedded within an enlarged circular rim portion that surrounds the open mouth end of the device. Electrical is provided by the electrically excited electrodes and acts in conjunction with the cervical cap or diaphragm to prevent the migration of male sperm into the open end of the cervical canal of a female human being or other mammal. The electrical cervical cap or diaphragm device can be designed such that it is open at the apex and does not impede the free flow of menstrual and other fluid discharges through the cervical canal. It is fabricated with or covered by biologically inert material so that it can be retained in place in the cervical canal for indefinite periods as long as desired by the user for birth control purposes.