Device positionable in the uterine cavity

Abstract

An intrauterine device and method of delivering and using same are provided. The intrauterine device includes a wire having a portion capable of forming a three dimensional (3D) structure. The 3D structure is elastically deformable to a partially collapsed configuration via a crush force larger than a force applied thereto by a relaxed uterine cavity. The three dimensional structure is also capable of elastically contracting and expanding in response to contraction and expansion of the uterine cavity.

1 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . An intrauterine system comprising:
 a wire including a portion forming a three-dimensional structure configured in a elastically deformable to partially collapsed configuration via a crush force larger than a force applied thereto by a relaxed uterine cavity, the three-dimensional structure configured to elastically contract and expand in response to contraction and expansion of said uterine cavity;
 wherein the three-dimensional structure is formed by at least two contiguous loops of the wire which are angled with respect to each other; 
 wherein the at least two contiguous loops form a loop-in-loop structure forming a spherical volume of 0.9 to 3.0 cm 3  having a surface area of 4.5 to 10.1 cm 2 ; and 
   a delivery guide for advancing said wire into said uterine cavity.   
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein said delivery guide maintains said wire in a linear configuration such that when advanced out of said delivery guide, said portion of said wire forms said three-dimensional structure having the loop-in-loop structure. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein said three-dimensional structure is formed by sequential wire looping as the portion of the wire is advanced out of the delivery guide. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the at least two contiguous loops are 12 to 18 mm in diameter. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the at least two contiguous loops are arranged such that a first loop of the at least two contiguous loops is positioned within the plane of a second loop of the at least two contiguous loops. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the angle of the at least two contiguous loops when measured at a wire portion interconnecting the loops is 60-120 degrees. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the wire diameter is 0.3-1.0 mm. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the wire is 50-100 mm in length. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the three-dimensional structure is 50% to 100% of the length of the wire. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the wire is composed of Nitinol.