Ultrasonically Detectable Intrauterine System and a Method for Enhancing Ultrasound Detection

Abstract

The present invention relates to ultrasonically detectable intrauterine systems and to a method for enhancing ultrasound detection of these systems. An intrauterine system having an inert metal coating on at least part of the body of the intrauterine system or at least one inert metal clip, pin, ring or sleeve fixedly positioned on the body of the intrauterine system is described.

1 . An ultrasonically detectable intrauterine system (IUS) for long-term insertion into a uterine cavity comprising at least one image enhancing means for improving the ultrasound imaging of the system, wherein the means are selected from the group consisting of a) an inert metal coating on at least part of the body of the intrauterine system; b) at least one inert metal clip, pin, ring and/or sleeve fixedly positioned on the body of the intrauterine system; and c) a metallic loop anchored to the vertical arm of the body of the intrauterine system in place of the usual loop. 
   
   
       2 . The intrauterine system according to  claim 1  wherein the metal coating or the metal clips, pins, rings or sleeves are located at the ends of the vertical arm or both at the ends of vertical and horizontal arm(s) of the IUS. 
   
   
       3 . The intrauterine system according to  claim 1  wherein the loop at the end of the vertical arm of the IUS has a metal coating or a metal clip, ring or sleeve is positioned at the foot of the loop. 
   
   
       4 . The intrauterine system according to  claim 1  wherein the metal clips, pins, rings or sleeves are at least partly embedded in the body of the IUS. 
   
   
       5 . The intrauterine system according to  claim 1 , wherein the inert metal is selected from the group consisting of silver, gold, titanium, tungsten, barium, bismuth, platinum and palladium. 
   
   
       6 . The intrauterine system according to  claim 1 , which has at least two locking means to keep the medicated capsule in correct position during the insertion, use and removal of the IUS. 
   
   
       7 . A method for improving the visualization of an intrauterine system (IUS) within the uterine cavity in an ultrasound examination, comprising at least one of the steps of
 applying an inert metal coating on at least part of the body of the IUS;   providing the body of the IUS with at least one inert metal clip, pin, ring and/or sleeve; and   anchoring a metallic loop to the vertical arm of the body of the IUS; inserting the IUS then into the uterine cavity and examining the position of the IUS within the uterine cavity in an ultrasound examination at an appropriate point of time.   
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the metal clips, pins, rings or sleeves are at least partly embedded in the body of the IUS. 
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 7  wherein the inert metal is selected from the group consisting of silver, gold, titanium, tungsten, barium, bismuth, platinum and palladium