Intra-uterine contraceptive devices

Claim 2

An intra-uterine contraceptive device comprising a flexible, uniplanar non-continuous frame structure adapted to fit within a uterine cavity in fixed position within a plastic membrane resulting from the intimate, face-to-face sealing of two flexible biologically inert plastic films, said membrane totally enclosing said frame structure and forming peripheral edge portions slightly larger than said frame structure, said membrane containing at least one slit extending inwardly from its periphery into an open sealed space within the area defined by said frame structure.

Claim 3

The contraceptive device of claim 1, wherein said frame structure comprises at least two outer arms connected at the ends thereof such that each arm exhibits a connected end and an accessible free end.

Claim 4

The contraceptive device of claim 2, wherein said outer arms are connected to one another by means of a connecting member.

Claim 5

The contraceptive device of claim 1, wherein said frame structure is prepared from a continuous length of relatively stiff, resiliently flexible, inert wire.

Claim 6

The contraceptive device of claim 4, wherein said wire is stainless steel.

Claim 7

The contraceptive device of claim 2, wherein the free ends of said outer arms are formed into circular loops.

Claim 8

The contraceptive device of claim 3, wherein each member of the frame structure is connected to its adjacent member by means of a resiliently flexible loop joint, whereby said frame structure maY be compressed into compact form for insertion into a uterine interior and may resume its expanded position when released from said compression within said uterine cavity.

Claim 9

The contraceptive device of claim 1, wherein said plastic membrane is prepared from two layers of a heat sealable, inert, synthetic plastic material.

Claim 10

The contraceptive device of claim 1, wherein said slit substantially bisects the open area between adjacent segments of the frame structure, thereby forming substantially triangular sectors bounded by a segment of the frame structure, the slit and the periphery of the membrane.

Claim 11

The contraceptive device of claim 1, wherein at least one string is affixed to said frame structure to project through the cervix and facilitate removal of said contraceptive device.

Claim 12

The contraceptive device of claim 2, wherein said frame structure is a substantially V-shaped body.

Claim 13

The contraceptive device of claim 3, wherein said frame structure is a substantially N-shaped body.

Claim 14

The contraceptive device of claim 3, wherein said frame structure is a substantially T-shaped body, the connecting member thereof formed of sides convergent to a U-shape.

Claim 15

A uniplanar non-continuous frame structure adapted to fit within a uterine cavity as an intra-uterine contraceptive device comprising (1) a substantially W-shaped body, including a center connecting member formed of sides convergent to an inverted V-shape and outer arms divergently connected to the diverged sides of said center member, the free ends of said outer arms formed into circular loops, said outer arms connected to the sides of said center member and said sides of said center member connected to one another by means of resiliently flexible loop joints, whereby said body may be compressed into compact form; said substantially W-shaped body being enclosed in a fixed position within (2) a plastic membrane resulting from the intimate, face-to-face sealing of two flexible biologically inert plastic films, said membrane containing four slits extending inwardly from the periphery thereof and substantially bisecting, respectively, the area between each outer arm and a side of the inverted V-shaped center member, the area between the converging sides of the inverted V-shaped center members, and the area between the length of outer arms which extend above point of convergence of the inverted V-shaped center member, said member totally enclosing said frame structure and forming peripheral edge portions slightly larger than said frame structure.

Claim 16

A uniplanar non-continuous frame structure adapted to fit within a uterine cavity as an intra-uterine contraceptive device comprising (1) a substantially W-shaped body, including a center connecting member formed of sides convergent to an inverted V-shape and outer arms divergently connected to the diverged sides of said center member, the free ends of said outer arms formed into circular loops, said outer arms connected to the sides of said center member and said sides of said center member connected to one another by means of resiliently flexible loop joints, whereby said body may be compressed into compact form; said substantially W-shaped body being enclosed in a fixed position within (2) a plastic membrane resulting from the intimate, face-to-face sealing of two flexible biologically inert plastic films, said membrane containing four slits extending inwardly from the periphery thereof and substantially bisecting, respectively, the area between each outer arm and a side of the inverted V-shaped center member, the area between the converging sides of the inverted V-shaped center members, and the area between the length of outer arms which extend above point of convergence of the inverted V-shaped center member, said member totally enclosing said frame structure and forming peripheral edge portions slightly larger than said frame structure.

Claim 17

The contraceptive device of claim 14, wherein said W-shaped body is formed from a continuous length of stainless steel wire.

Claim 18

The contraceptive device of claim 14, wherein said plastic membrane is prepared from two layers of a synthetic plastic material selected from the group consisting of polyurethanes, polyethylenes, polypropylenes and polytetrafluoroethylene.

Claim 19

The contraceptive device of claim 14, wherein a string is tied to each flexible loop joint connecting said outer arms to the sides of said center member.