US3721244A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Manual suction curettage instruments
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-01-28
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Granted: 1973-03-20
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Expires: 1991-01-28
Abstract
Abstract A disposable aspiration system for the manual performance of abortion during early uterine gestations includes a scoop-like curette tube adapted to be inserted in the vaginal uterine tract and an aspirator connected to the curette tube. In one form of the invention, a stopcock assembly is included between tube and aspirator to permit discharge of the aspirator during intermediate steps of the tissue removal process.
Inventors
- 👤 L Elmaleh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:30
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M1/00; A61M1/60; A61M1/63; A61M1/64; A61M1/67
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
322 words
Apparatus for the manual removal of fetal tissue during early uterine gestations comprising: an elongated curette tube having a distal portion and a proximate portion, said tube having a distal opening at the end of said distal portion and a proximate opening at the end of said proximate portion, said proximate end and said distal end forming an angle slightly less than 180* substantially corresponding to the angle of the vaginal uterine tract of a human female, said curette tube distal portion adapted to be inserted in the vaginal uterine tract of a pregnant female; a manually operated aspirator having a cylindrical portion and a plunger portion, said aspirator having an opening at one end, said plunger portion disposed within said cylindrical portion and forming a hermetic seal therewith, said plunger adapted for linear movement within said cylindrical portion; and a manually operated stopcock capable of being used in one of two operable positions, said stopcock disposed between said curette tube and said aspirator, said stopcock having an inlet portion, an outlet portion and a discharge portion, said inlet portion being coupled to said proximate opening, said outlet portion coupled to said aspirator opening and said discharge portion adapted to being coupled to a collecting element, said stopcock for directing the flow of material from curette tube to aspirator in a first and normal position, the discharge portion being blocked in this position, and for directing the flow of removed material between aspirator and discharge portion in a second and discharge position, whereby said apparatus is adapted to create a suction at said distal opening of said curette tube by linear movement of said plunger in one direction to draw material through said distal opening into said aspirator when said stopcock is in said normal position and to discharge material collected in said aspirator by linear movement of said plunger in an opposite direction when said stopcock is in said discharge position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
322 words
Apparatus for the manual removal of fetal tissue during early uterine gestations comprising: an elongated curette tube having a distal portion and a proximate portion, said tube having a distal opening at the end of said distal portion and a proximate opening at the end of said proximate portion, said proximate end and said distal end forming an angle slightly less than 180* substantially corresponding to the angle of the vaginal uterine tract of a human female, said curette tube distal portion adapted to be inserted in the vaginal uterine tract of a pregnant female; a manually operated aspirator having a cylindrical portion and a plunger portion, said aspirator having an opening at one end, said plunger portion disposed within said cylindrical portion and forming a hermetic seal therewith, said plunger adapted for linear movement within said cylindrical portion; and a manually operated stopcock capable of being used in one of two operable positions, said stopcock disposed between said curette tube and said aspirator, said stopcock having an inlet portion, an outlet portion and a discharge portion, said inlet portion being coupled to said proximate opening, said outlet portion coupled to said aspirator opening and said discharge portion adapted to being coupled to a collecting element, said stopcock for directing the flow of material from curette tube to aspirator in a first and normal position, the discharge portion being blocked in this position, and for directing the flow of removed material between aspirator and discharge portion in a second and discharge position, whereby said apparatus is adapted to create a suction at said distal opening of said curette tube by linear movement of said plunger in one direction to draw material through said distal opening into said aspirator when said stopcock is in said normal position and to discharge material collected in said aspirator by linear movement of said plunger in an opposite direction when said stopcock is in said discharge position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said curette tube, stopcock, and aspirator are constructed primarily of plastic and the entire apparatus is disposable after use.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said curette tube is disconnectable from said stopcock and said stopcock is disconnectable from said aspirator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus as described in claim 3, wherein said curette tube has a predetermined diameter size of 7 to 8 mm for pregnancies up to 4 weeks duration, of 8 to 9 mm for pregancies from 4 to 6 weeks duration, and 9 to 10 mm for pregnancies from 6 to 12 weeks duration.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as described in claim 4 wherein said distal opening is substantially oval in shape.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-19 | 1976-09-18 | 1977-03-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-19 | 1980-09-18 | 1981-03-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-19 | 1984-09-18 | 1985-03-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |