Thin film intrauterine device
OwnerLeticia Menchaca, A. Johnson +2inventors
InventorsLeticia Menchaca, A. Johnson, Vikas Gupta, Valery Martynov
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Abstract
Contraceptive intrauterine devices made of thin film shape memory alloy materials. The devices are formed in three-dimensional shapes which contact uterus tissue of a human or other mammal to prevent conception. In certain embodiments, structural features such as tails, fenestrations, ridges or grooves are formed on the devices to enhance the contraceptive effect.
Claims19
A method of preventing conception in a human or other mammal comprising the steps of providing an intrauterine device comprised of a thin film of shape memory alloy material, and placing the device in the uterus of the human or other mammal.
An intrauterine device for use in the uterus of a human or other mammal, the device comprising a thin film formed of a shape memory alloy material that is characterized in having a crystalline phase change transformation temperature by which the film changes from an elastic phase shape when the material is below the temperature to a memory shape when the material is above the temperature, the elastic phase shape being sufficient to enable insertion of the device into the uterus, and the memory shape being sufficient to enable contact of at least a portion of the thin film with a wall of the uterus to prevent conception.
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.