Intrauterine device
An intrauterine device for applying force to a wall of a uterus to promote contraception without blocking the fallopian tubes may include an elongate member formed of a resilient material and having a default expanded configuration and a spring portion disposed approximately at a midpoint between two ends of the elongate member. The IUD may also include two tissue contact members, one tissue contact member disposed at one of the two ends of the elongate member and the other tissue contact member disposed at the other end. The tissue contact members may generate a laterally directed force against the wall of the uterus when the intrauterine device assumes its default expanded configuration.
1. A method for promoting contraception by applying force against an inner wall of a uterus without blocking fallopian tubes, the method comprising:
advancing a distal end of a delivery device through a cervix;
advancing an intrauterine device out of the distal end of the delivery device and into the uterus,
wherein once the intrauterine device is advanced out of the distal end of the delivery device, the intrauterine device including an elongate member formed of Nitinol, having a diameter between 0.010 inch and 0.025 inch, the intrauterine device including two tissue contact members, wherein each tissue contact member comprises a non-porous material and has a surface area of at least 30 mm squared, and the intrauterine device has a width measured from a tip of one tissue contact member to a tip of the other tissue contact member of at least 40 mm in its expanded configuration outside the uterus, the intrauterine device expands into an expanded configuration to cause the two tissue contact members of the intrauterine device to move in approximately opposite directions to contact and apply force against the inner wall of the uterus, wherein each of the tissue contact members, when the intrauterine device is delivered, is positioned near, but not within, an opening of a fallopian tube; and
removing the delivery device,
wherein the two tissue contact members apply sufficient force against the uterine wall to promote contraception and prevent migration of the intrauterine device out of the uterus or into the fallopian tubes.
2. A method as in claim 1 , wherein the tissue contact members, when the intrauterine device is delivered into the uterus and expands to its expanded configuration, generate a total, laterally directed force against the inner wall of the uterus of between 0.002 pounds-force and 0.025 pounds-force.
3. A method as in claim 2 , wherein the tissue contact members, when the intrauterine device is delivered into the uterus and expands to its expanded configuration, generate a total, laterally directed force against the inner wall of the uterus of between 0.002 pounds-force and 0.015 pounds-force.
4. A method as in claim 1 , further comprising removing the intrauterine device from the uterus through the cervix.
5. A method as in claim 4 , wherein removing the intrauterine device comprises pulling on a thread connected to the intrauterine device.
6. A method as in claim 1 , wherein each of the tissue contact members, when the device is delivered, is positioned within 2 cm of a fallopian tube opening.
7. A method as in claim 1 , further comprising causing a disruption or collapse of the uterine spiral arteries using the tissue contact members to promote contraception.
8. A method as in claim 1 , further comprising causing a localized ischemia to endometrial tissue of the uterus using the tissue contact members to promote contraception.
9. A method as in claim 1 , further comprising preventing tissue in-growth, uterine wall perforation, and migration of the tissue contact members by providing the tissue contact members with a material, size and shape that resist in-growth, perforation and migration.
10. A method as in claim 1 , wherein advancing the intrauterine device out of the delivery device comprises moving at least one of a sheath and a pusher member of the delivery device relative to one another.
11. A method as in claim 1 , wherein the intrauterine device does not deliver a chemical substance to the uterus.
12. A method as in claim 1 , further comprising delivering a substance to the uterus via the tissue contact members, the substance selected from the group consisting of hormones, spermicides, copper and therapeutic agents.
13. A method for promoting contraception by applying force against a wall of a uterus without blocking fallopian tubes, the method comprising applying constant force against approximately opposed sides of an inner wall of the uterus with a removable intrauterine device having at least two tissue contact members disposed at opposite ends of an elongate, resilient member formed of Nitinol and having a diameter between 0.010 inch and 0.025 inch that expands from a compressed configuration into a default, expanded configuration to cause the tissue contact members to apply the force against the wall of the uterus at locations near but not within the fallopian tubes wherein each tissue contact member comprises a non-porous material and has a surface area of at least 30 mm squared, and the intrauterine device has a width measured from a tip of one tissue contact member to a tip of the other tissue contact member of at least 40 mm in its expanded configuration outside the uterus.
14. A method as in claim 13 , wherein applying the force comprises placing the intrauterine device into the uterus through a cervix using a delivery device.
15. A method as in claim 13 , wherein the method is performed without delivering copper, hormones or other chemical substances into the uterus.