Intrauterine device, method of making such a device and method for putting active elements within the uterine cavity

Abstract

A retrievable intrauterine device for placing within the uterine cavity one or more encapsulated elements ( 1 ) capable of having interactions with the uterine fluid comprising an intrauterine device loaded with said encapsulated elements ( 1 ).

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A retrievable intrauterine device comprising at least one non-biodegradable capsule,
 wherein said capsule is adapted to encapsulate one or more element(s) comprising an egg, an embryo, male gametes, female gametes, a fertilized oocyte, a zygote, or a combination thereof,   further wherein said capsule comprises a membrane with a pore size adapted to allow passage of nutrients from a uterine cavity to the elements when the elements are loaded in said capsule.   
     
     
         17 . The retrievable intrauterine device of  claim 16 , wherein the nutrients comprise proteins. 
     
     
         18 . The retrievable intrauterine device of  claim 16 , further comprising a means for retrieving the device from a uterus to collect said elements(s). 
     
     
         19 . The retrievable intrauterine device of  claim 16 , further comprising a thread to retrieve the device from the uterus to collect the elements(s). 
     
     
         20 . The retrievable intrauterine device of  claim 16 , wherein said capsule comprises a wall having a thickness ranging from 50 to 500 μm. 
     
     
         21 . The retrievable intrauterine device of  claim 16 , wherein the length of said device ranges from 0.5 cm to 5 cm. 
     
     
         22 . The retrievable intrauterine device of  claim 16 , wherein said device comprises means for attachment of the device to the uterine cavity. 
     
     
         23 . The retrievable intrauterine device of  claim 16 , wherein said capsule has an internal diameter ranging from 100 to 10,000 μm. 
     
     
         24 . The retrievable intrauterine device of  claim 16 , wherein said capsule comprises a polymeric material. 
     
     
         25 . A retrievable intrauterine device comprising at least one non-biodegradable capsule,
 wherein said capsule comprises one or more element(s) comprising an egg, an embryo, male gametes, female gametes, a fertilized oocyte, a zygote, or a combination thereof,   further wherein said capsule comprises a means for enabling said elements to interact with a uterine fluid.   
     
     
         26 . The retrievable intrauterine device of  claim 25 , wherein the means for enabling said elements to interact with a uterine fluid comprises a membrane. 
     
     
         27 . The retrievable intrauterine device of  claim 25 , wherein said elements comprise male gametes or female gametes. 
     
     
         28 . The retrievable intrauterine device of  claim 25 , wherein said element comprises an embryo. 
     
     
         29 . The retrievable intrauterine device of  claim 25 , wherein said elements comprise injected oocytes. 
     
     
         30 . The retrievable intrauterine device of  claim 25 , wherein said elements comprise impregnated oocytes. 
     
     
         31 . A retrievable intrauterine device comprising at least one non-biodegradable capsule,
 wherein said capsule is adapted to encapsulate one or more element(s) comprising an egg, an embryo, male gametes, female gametes, a fertilized oocyte, a zygote, or any combination thereof,   further wherein said capsule comprises a means for enabling said encapsulated elements to interact with a uterine fluid, when the elements are encapsulated in said capsule.