Variable size intrauterine contraceptive device

A variable-sized intrauterine contraceptive device for substantially filling the uterus in the plane thereof and having minimal thickness in the anterior-posterior direction, said device comprising:

• an angular member having first and second legs interconnected at an acute angle and being bendable at said interconnection to a collapsed position to facilitate insertion of said device into the uterus and being expandable in the plane of the uterus, each of said legs comprising telescopic members which are expandable longitudinally after insertion in the uterus;
• means in each said leg for expanding said members longitudinally until said legs engage the uterine wall irrespective of the size of the uterus in which said device is placed;
• and
• means to lock said members to prevent further expansion of said legs after they are in engagement with the uterine walls but permitting said members to move toward said collapsed position upon contraction of the uterus.

A variable-sized intrauterine contraceptive device for substantially filling the uterus in the plane thereof and having minimal thickness in the anterior-posterior direction, said device comprising:

• at least one leg comprising telescopic members which are expandable longitudinally after insertion in the uterus;
• means in said leg for expanding said members longitudinally until said leg engages the uterine wall irrespective of the size of the uterus in which said device is placed;
• and
• means to lock said members to prevent further expansion of said leg after it is in engagement with the uterine wall but permitting said members to move toward said collapsed position upon contraction of the uterus.

A variable-sized intrauterine contraceptive device for substantially filling the uterus in the plane thereof and having minimal thickness in the anterior-posterior direction, said device comprising:

• an angular member having first and second legs interconnected at an acute angle and being bendable at said interconnection to a collapsed position to facilitate insertion of said device into the uterus and being bendable in the plane of the uterus;
• means in said member for expanding said member in the plane of the uterus until said legs engage the uterine wall irrespective of the size of the uterus in which said device is placed;
• means to subsequently contract said legs slightly out of engagement with the uterine wall when the uterus is fully extended;
• and
• means to lock said legs to prevent further expansion thereof in said position out of engagement with the uterine wall but permitting said legs to move toward said collapsed position upon contraction of the uterus.

A variable-sized intrauterine contraceptive device for substantially filling the uterus in the plane thereof and having minimal thickness in the anterior-posterior direction, said device comprising:

• at least one leg comprising telescopic members which are insertable in the uterus in a collapsed position and are expandable longitudinally after insertion in the uterus;
• means in said leg for expanding said members longitudinally until said leg engages the uterine wall irrespective of the size of the uterus in which said device is placed;
• means to subsequently contract said telescopic members slightly out of engagement with the uterine wall when the uterus is fully distended;
• and
• means to lock said members to prevent further expansion of said leg in said position slightly out of engagement with the uterine wall, but permitting said members to move toward said collapsed position upon contraction of the uterus.

A variable-sized intrauterine contraceptive device for substantially filling the uterus in the plane thereof and having minimal thickness in the anterior-posterior direction, said device comprising:

• a member which is insertable in the uterus in a collapsed position and is expandable after insertion in the uterus;
• means within said member for expanding said member until it engages the uterine wall irrespective of the size of the uterus in which said device is placed;
• means to subsequently contract said member slightly out of engagement with the uterine wall when the uterus is fully distended;
• and
• means to lock said member to prevent further expansion in a position where it is slightly out of engagement with the uterine wall but permitting said member to move toward said collapsed position.

A variable-sized intrauterine contraceptive device for substantially filling the uterus in the plane thereof and having minimal thickness in the anterior-posterior direction, said device comprising:

• a member which is insertable in the uterus in a collapsed position and is expandable after insertion in the uterus;
• means within said member for expanding said member until it engages the uterine wall irrespective of the size of the uterus in which said device is placed;
• and
• means to lock said member to prevent further expansion in the position where it is in engagement with the uterine wall but permitting said member to move toward said collapsed position.