Patent ID: 6588429
Filing Date: 2003-07-08
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
In a method of retaining and operating an inserter of an intrauterine contraceptive(hereinafter IUCD), in which the inserter comprisesa sheath; a needle and an IUCD housed in said sheath, said needle being movable relative to said sheath, said needle having a proximal end and a distal end, said needle when housed in said sheath having a first position wherein said distal end does not emerge from said sheath, and a second position wherein said distal end projects a from said sheath when said IUCD is pulled, said proximal end of said needle being fixedly secured to a thumb-piece, said IUCD having a pull thread fixedly secured under tension to said distal end of said needle; said method including the steps of: fixedly securing said needle to said sheath to immobilise said needle in said first position wherein said distal end of said needle does not protrude from said sheath; maintaining said pull thread in a tensioned state to ensure a pulling action between said needle and said IUCD; releasing said pull thread in an operating phase; and, releasing said needle from said first position to place it in said second position during said operating phase whereby said distal end of said needle projects a predetermined distance from said sheath when said IUCD is pulled; the improvement comprising releasing said needle from said first position in said operating phase to conjointly release said pull thread.