Inserter

Abstract

The present invention relates to an inserter for an intrauterine system comprising a handle ( 3 ), and an insertion tube ( 6 ) having a first end and a second end, and being arranged in connection with the handle. The inserter is characterized in that the first end of the insertion tube ( 6 ) comprises at least one frame slot for receiving a frame of the intrauterine system. The invention also relates to a kit comprising an inserter according to the present invention and an intrauterine system, wherein the intrauterine system ( 1 ) comprises a therapeutic component ( 1 b ) and a continuous, closed frame ( 1 a ), the therapeutic component ( 1 b ) being connected to the frame ( 1 a ) at least one point, and therapeutic component ( 1 b ) of the intrauterine system ( 1 ) is at least mainly arranged inside the first end of the insertion tube ( 6 ) and the frame ( 1 a ) of the intrauterine system ( 1 ) is at least mainly arranged outside the first end of the insertion tube ( 6 ).

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A method capable of being performed with one hand, using an inserter to position an intrauterine system inside a uterus, the inserter comprising a handle, a slider, an insertion tube, and a removal string, the method comprising:
 determining a depth of the uterus;   holding the handle with one hand;   pushing with the one hand the slider forward so that a first end of the slider moves towards a first end of an opening of the handle;   inserting with the one hand the intrauterine system and the insertion tube into the uterus; and   retracting with the one hand the slider so that a second end of the slider moves towards a second end of the opening of the handle to release the removal string.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the inserter further comprises a plunger and the insertion tube and further comprising positioning the intrauterine system at a forward end of the plunger or the insertion tube. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein when the slider is pushed forward, the removal string is immobilized by a lock. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein responsive to pushing with the one hand the slider forward, positioning the intrauterine system at a forward end of the insertion tube. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein retracting with the one hand the slider so that the second end of the slider moves towards the second end of the opening of the handle causes the slider to press against an extension of a main part of a lock to turn the main part around a shaft or axle on the handle to release the removal string of the intrauterine system. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising adjusting a flange on the insertion tube based on the depth of the uterus. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein determining the depth of the uterus includes sounding the uterus using a probe. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the intrauterine system includes levonorgestrel. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the intrauterine system includes an active agent selected from the group consisting of progestin, estradiol, and gestodene. 
     
     
         22 . The method of claim  1 , wherein the intrauterine system includes an active agent selected from the group consisting of 3-methoxy-17a-ethynyl-1,3,5(10)-estratrien-17-ol (mestranol), 3-hydroxy-1,3,5(10) -estratrien-17-one (estrone), 17p-estradiol, estriol, ethynylestradiol, 4-pregnene-3,20-dione (progesterone), d-13-ethyl-17a-ethynyl-17p-hydroxy-4-gonen-3-one (d-norgestrel) and the esters thereof, 17a-ethynyl-19-nortestosterone (norethisterone) and the esters thereof, 6-chloro-17-hydroxy-1a, 2a-methylenepregna-4, -diene-3,20-dione (cyproterone) and the esters thereof, 19-norhydroxyprogesterone and the esters thereof, 6-chloro-17-acetoxy-pregna-4,6-diene-3,20-dione (chlormadinone acetate), 15,16a-methylene- and 15,16p-methylene-17p-hydroxy-18-methyl-17a-ethynyl-4-estren-3-one, 17a-acetoxy-6a-methylprogesterone (medroxy-progesterone acetate), 9ss, 10a-pregna-4,6-diene-3,20-dione (dydrogesterone), estradiol-3-methyl ether diethyl stilbestrol, 17a-ethynyl-4-estrene-3ss, 17ss-diol diacetate, 17a-ethynel-11ss-methyl-4 estrene 3ss, 170-diol 3,17-diacetate, 17a-acetoxy-11p-methyl-19-norpregn-4-en-3-one, testosterone, testosterone propionate, testosterone phenylacetate and related androgens, allyloestrenol, lynoestrenol, norgestrel, norethyndrel, norethisterone, norethisterone acetate, gestodene, levonorgestrel, medroxyprogesterone, megestrol, testosterone, methyltestosterone, clostebol acetate, drostanolone, furazabol, nandrolone oxandrolone, stanozolol, trenbolone acetate, dihydro-testosterone, 17-a-methyl-19-nortestosterone, norethindrone, etonogestrel, desogestrel, and fluoxymesterone.