Apparatus for delivering a fertilized egg or embryo
OwnerXavier SANTAMARIA COSTA, Carlos SIMÓN VALLÉS +3inventors
InventorsXavier SANTAMARIA COSTA, Carlos SIMÓN VALLÉS, Rhys FREITAS, Ari BADAL REGAS, David S. HUNT
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Abstract
The present invention relates to an apparatus suitable for delivering a fertilized egg or embryo into the maternal uterine endometrium. The apparatus comprises an elongated body comprising a distal tip and a lumen extending therethrough to an aperture at the distal tip. The lumen is configured to receive and expel the fertilized egg or embryo through the aperture. A plunger is configured to be slidably received in the lumen. The distal tip comprises a piercing portion for piercing the maternal uterine endometrium, and the aperture has a concave shape.
Claims15
An apparatus suitable for delivering a fertilized egg or embryo into a maternal uterine endometrium, comprising:
- an elongated body comprising a distal tip and a lumen extending therethrough to an aperture at the distal tip, the lumen being configured to receive and expel the fertilized egg or embryo through the aperture;
- and
- a plunger configured to be slidably received in the lumen;
- wherein the distal tip comprises a piercing portion for piercing the maternal uterine endometrium, and the aperture has a concave shape.
The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the aperture has a curved concave shape having a radius of curvature.
The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the distal tip is made of a biocompatible metal, preferably stainless steel.
The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the distal tip comprises a hydrophobic coating.
The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the diameter of the lumen is between 1 and 1.5 times the outer diameter of the egg to be implanted.
The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the elongated body is an inner body, the apparatus further comprising an outer body configured to fit within a lumen of the female reproductive system, the outer body comprising:
- a lumen extending from a proximal end of the body to a distal portion of the body and having a distal aperture in the distal portion of the body, the lumen slidably receiving the inner body;
- the apparatus further comprising:
- a first actuator which allows advancing the inner body out from the distal aperture of the body;
- and
- a second actuator which allows advancing the plunger to expel a fertilized egg from the lumen of the inner body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.