Inserter
The invention relates to an inserter for an intrauterine system, comprising a handle ( 3 ) having a longitudinal opening ( 8 ) at its first end, said opening ( 8 ) having a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the inserter, a first end ( 8 a ) and a second end ( 8 b ), a movable slider ( 5 ) arranged in said longitudinal opening ( 8 ) and having a first end ( 5 a ) and a second end ( 5 b ), a plunger ( 2 ) attached to the handle ( 3 ), an insertion tube ( 6 ) arranged around the plunger ( 2 ) having a first end and a second end, with its second end attached to the slider ( 5 ), wherein the inserter further comprises locking means for reversibly locking the intrauterine system in relation to the plunger ( 2 ) via a removal string of the intrauterine system, said locking means being controllable by the slider ( 5 ) and/or the insertion tube ( 6 ).
1. An inserter for an intrauterine system ( 1 ), comprising
a handle ( 3 ) having an opening ( 8 ),
a slider ( 5 ) arranged in the opening ( 8 ),
a plunger ( 2 ) attached to the handle ( 3 ),
an insertion tube ( 6 ) attached to the slider ( 5 ) and arranged around the plunger ( 2 ), and
a lock adapted to immobilize and release a removal string ( 7 ) of the intrauterine system ( 1 ), characterised in that the lock comprises:
a main part ( 11 ) having a substantially cylindrical shape and comprising an opening ( 12 ),
an extension ( 11 a ) of the main part ( 11 ), and
a counterpart ( 13 ),
wherein the main part ( 11 ) is rotatably mounted on a shaft or axle on the handle ( 3 ), wherein the removal string ( 7 ) passes through the opening ( 12 ) and is immobilized between the main part ( 11 ) and the counterpart ( 13 ) when the lock is in a locking position, and
wherein the slider ( 5 ) is configured to press against the extension ( 11 a ) of the main part ( 11 ) and turn the main part ( 11 ) around the shaft or axle to release the removal string ( 7 ) as the slider ( 5 ) is moved backwards, and wherein the main part ( 11 ) is substantially perpendicular to the shaft or axle as the main part ( 11 ) moves around the shaft or axle.
2. An inserter according to claim 1 , characterised in that the main part ( 11 ) is cylindrical.
3. The inserter according to claim 1 , wherein the lock is mounted on an inner surface of the handle ( 3 ).
4. The inserter according to claim 1 , wherein the slider ( 5 ) is configured to release the removal string ( 7 ) as the insertion tube ( 6 ) is retracted backwards towards the handle ( 3 ).
5. An inserter for an intrauterine system ( 1 ), comprising
a handle ( 3 ) having an opening ( 8 ),
a slider ( 5 ) arranged in the opening ( 8 ),
a plunger ( 2 ) attached to the handle ( 3 ),
an insertion tube ( 6 ) attached to the slider ( 5 ) and arranged around the plunger ( 2 ),
a lock adapted to immobilize or release a removal string ( 7 ) of the intrauterine system ( 1 ), characterised in that the lock comprises:
a main part ( 14 ) having a substantially cylindrical shape,
a first extension ( 14 a ) of the main part ( 14 ) and a second extension ( 14 b ) of the main part ( 14 ), and
a counterpart ( 15 ),
wherein the main part ( 14 ) is rotatably mounted on a shaft or axle on the handle ( 3 ) wherein the removal string ( 7 ) is immobilized between the second extension ( 14 b ) and the counterpart ( 15 ) when the lock is in a locking position, and
wherein the removal string ( 7 ) is capable of being released from the lock when the slider ( 5 ) is pressed against the first extension ( 14 a ) of the main part ( 14 ) and turns the main part ( 14 ) around the shaft or axle enough to release the removal string ( 7 ), as the slider ( 5 ) is moved backwards, and wherein the main part ( 14 ) is substantially perpendicular to the shaft or axle as the main part ( 14 ) moves around the shaft or axle.
6. The inserter according to claim 5 , wherein the lock is mounted on an inner surface of the handle ( 3 ).
7. The inserter according to claim 5 , wherein the slider ( 5 ) is further configured to release the removal string ( 7 ) as the insertion tube ( 6 ) is retracted backwards towards the handle ( 3 ).
8. An inserter for an intrauterine system ( 1 ), comprising
a handle ( 3 ) having an opening ( 8 ),
a slider ( 5 ) arranged in the opening ( 8 ),
a plunger ( 2 ) attached to the handle ( 3 ),
an insertion tube ( 6 ) attached to the slider ( 5 ) and arranged around the plunger ( 2 ), and
a lock adapted to immobilize and release a removal string ( 7 ) of the intrauterine system ( 1 ), characterised in that the lock comprises:
a main part ( 11 ) comprising an opening ( 12 ) that is diagonal through the main part ( 11 ),
an extension ( 11 a ) of the main part ( 11 ), and
a counterpart ( 13 ),
wherein the main part ( 11 ) is rotatably mounted on a shaft or axle on the handle ( 3 ), wherein the removal string ( 7 ) passes through the opening ( 12 ) and is immobilized between the main part ( 11 ) and the counterpart ( 13 ) when the lock is in a locking position, and
wherein the slider ( 5 ) is configured to press against the extension ( 11 a ) of the main part ( 11 ) and turn the main part ( 11 ) around the shaft or axle to release the removal string ( 7 ) as the slider ( 5 ) is moved backwards.
9. The inserter according to claim 8 , wherein the main part ( 11 ) has at least one of a substantially cylindrical shape, a substantially triangular shape, a round shape, a rod shape, a wedge shape, a polygonal shape, and a rectangular shape.
10. The inserter according to claim 8 , wherein the main part ( 11 ) is a rectangle shape or a polygonal shape with rounded corners or sharp corners.