US5360389A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods for endometrial implantation of embryos
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1993-05-25
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Granted: 1994-11-01
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Expires: 2013-05-25
Abstract
Abstract The invention provides methods for implantation of an embryo into a mammal comprising placing the embryo in a catheter, admitting the catheter through the mammal's cervical os into the endometrial cavity, directing a distal tip of the catheter into the mammal's uterine tissue, and depositing the embryo into the uterine tissue beneath the surface of or within the endometrial lining. Flushing the catheter with a physiologic solution assists in deposition of the embryo. Fiberoptic guidance can facilitate direction of the catheter tip and deposition of the embryo.
Inventors
- 👤 Philip E. Chenette
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 11:09
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/42; A61B17/425; A61B17/435
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
A method for implantation of an embryo into a mammal comprising: (a) placing at least one embryo in a catheter having an elongate tubular body and a distal tip; (b) introducing the distal tip through the mammal's cervical os into the mammal's endometrial cavity; (c) directing the distal tip into the mammal's uterine tissue; and (d) depositing the embryo into the uterine tissue beneath the endometrial surface.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
67 words
A method for implantation of an embryo into a mammal comprising: (a) placing at least one embryo in a catheter having an elongate tubular body and a distal tip; (b) introducing the distal tip through the mammal's cervical os into the mammal's endometrial cavity; (c) directing the distal tip into the mammal's uterine tissue; and (d) depositing the embryo into the uterine tissue beneath the endometrial surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the mammal is a human.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) further comprises placing said at least one embryo in contact with a nonstick surface located at the distal tip of the catheter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) further comprises placing said at least one embryo in contact with a surface comprised of polytetrafluoroethylene located at the distal tip of the catheter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising performing at least one of steps (b), (c), and (d) using fiberoptic guidance.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (d) comprises depositing the embryo at a depth of from about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm beneath the endometrial surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 6 wherein step (d) comprises depositing the embryo at a depth of from about 0.5 mm to about 2 mm beneath the endometrial surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 7 wherein step (d) comprises depositing the embryo at a depth of about 1.0 mm beneath the endometrial surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (d) is performed by flushing the catheter with a physiologic irrigant to assist with depositing the embryo.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the physiologic irrigant is a member selected from the group consisting of amniotic fluid, follicular fluid, a saline solution, a Ringer's solution, and a culture medium.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the culture medium is stock Ham's F-10.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for implantation of an embryo into a human comprising: (a) placing at least one embryo in a distal tip of a microcatheter having an elongate tubular body, the distal tip including a nonstick surface; (b) introducing the distal tip through the human's cervical os into the human's endometrial cavity; (c) directing the distal tip into the human's uterine tissue at a depth of about 0.5 mm to about 4 mm; and (d) flushing the microcatheter with a physiologic irrigant, thereby depositing the embryo into the uterine tissue at a depth of about 0.5 mm to about 4 mm beneath the endometrial surface.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for implantation of an embryo into a human comprising: (a) placing at least one embryo in a distal tip of a microcatheter having an elongate tubular body, the distal tip including a nonstick surface; (b) introducing the distal tip through the human's cervical os into the human's endometrial cavity; (c) directing the distal tip into the human's uterine tissue at a depth of about 0.5 mm to about 4 mm; and (d) flushing the microcatheter with a physiologic irrigant, thereby depositing the embryo into the uterine tissue at a depth of about 0.5 mm to about 4 mm beneath the endometrial surface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of inserting one to five of the microcatheters within a sleeve, thereby assisting with step (b).
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of inserting three microcatheters within the sleeve, thereby assisting with step (b).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of selecting a sleeve having a diameter of about 0.5 to 2 mm, thereby assisting with step (b).
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of selecting a sleeve having a curved dimension, thereby assisting with step (b).
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 12 wherein fiberoptic guidance is used to assist in the performance of at least one of steps (b), (c), and (d).
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said fiberoptic guidance is provided by an endoscope of the type having a hollow tubular channel, said channel adapted for receipt of the catheter and dimensioned to permit protrusion of the distal tip of the catheter from the distal end of the channel.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of selecting a microcatheter wherein the distal tip of the microcatheter has a diameter narrower than a diameter of the elongate body, thereby assisting with step (b).
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of selecting a microcatheter wherein the distal tip of the microcatheter has a diameter of from about 0.1 mm to about 1.0 mm, thereby assisting with step (b).
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of selecting a microcatheter wherein the distal tip of the microcatheter is sufficiently sharp for inserting the distal tip beneath the endometrial surface, thereby assisting with step (c).
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the physiologic irrigant is a culture medium.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the culture medium is stock Ham's F-10.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-10-31 | 1998-05-02 | 1998-11-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-10-31 | 2002-05-02 | 2002-11-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-10-31 | 2006-05-02 | 2006-11-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |