Device and method for improving implantation of fertilized egg during pregnancy

Abstract

The disclosed invention comprises a device that utilizes a manually controlled articulating arm to make a precise, small abrasion on the intrauterine wall prior to ovulation. The preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a handle, an arm having a rigid portion and an articulating tip both of which are covered by a casing having non-irritant properties, wherein the handle is connected to the arm by a connection member that contains a trigger mechanism operable to move the articulating tip by pulling a trigger.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 ) A medical device comprising:
 a. a handle;   b. an arm further comprising a rigid portion and an articulating tip each having a proximal end and distal end, wherein the distal end of the rigid portion is connected to the proximal end of the articulating tip; and   c. a connecting member that further comprises a trigger mechanism;
 wherein the handle is connected to the proximal end of the rigid portion of the arm by the connecting member, 
 wherein the trigger mechanism is operable to curl the articulating tip. 
   
     
     
         2 ) The medical device of  claim 1  wherein the handle is offset from the longitudinal plane of the arm. 
     
     
         3 ) The medical device of  claim 1  wherein the trigger mechanism is spring-loaded. 
     
     
         4 ) The medical device of  claim 1  wherein the articulating tip is allowed to curl up to 90° from the longitudinal plane of the arm. 
     
     
         5 ) The medical device of  claim 4  wherein the articulating tip comprises circumferential slits. 
     
     
         6 ) The medical device of  claim 5  wherein the articulating tip has an interior side and an opposing exterior side, wherein the circumferential slits along the interior side are wider than the circumferential slits on the exterior side. 
     
     
         7 ) The medical device of  claim 4  wherein the articulating tip is comprised of a flexible material selected from the group comprising: polymers, thermoplastics, or thermoset materials. 
     
     
         8 ) The medical device of  claim 1  wherein the rigid portion of the arm is selected from the group of materials comprising: metals, plastic, or carbon fiber. 
     
     
         9 ) The medical device of  claim 1  wherein the arm further comprises a rotatable knob, said knob is operable to adjust the plane in which the articulating tip curls. 
     
     
         10 ) The medical device of  claim 9  wherein the rotatable knob further comprises an indicator on its exterior surface marking the planar direction in which the articulating tip curls. 
     
     
         11 ) The medical device of  claim 1  further comprising a sleeve that is adapted to cover the arm. 
     
     
         12 ) The medical device of  claim 11  wherein said sleeve further comprises a rounded cap that covers the distal end of the articulating tip of the arm. 
     
     
         13 ) The medical device of  claim 11  wherein the sleeve is selected from a group of materials having properties that are flexible and non-irritant to human skin. 
     
     
         14 ) The medical device of  claim 11  wherein the sleeve further comprises markings adapted to measure the length of the arm. 
     
     
         15 ) A method for improving implantation of a fertilized egg during pregnancy, said method comprising the steps of:
 a. providing a medical device comprising:
 a handle; 
 an arm further comprising a rigid portion and an articulating tip each having a proximal end and distal end, wherein the distal end of the rigid portion is connected to the proximal end of the articulating tip; and 
 a connecting member that further comprises a trigger mechanism; 
 wherein the handle is connected to the proximal end of the rigid portion of the arm by the connecting member, 
 wherein the trigger mechanism is operable to curl the articulating tip. 
   b. introducing the medical device into the patient's uterine cavity prior to ovulation such that the distal end of the articulating tip contacts the endometrial lining of the uterus;   c. actuating the trigger mechanism to operably curl the articulating tip such that the articulating tip makes a small abrasion on the endometrium wall of the uterus;   d. releasing the trigger mechanism allowing the articulating tip to return to its original position; and   e. removing the medical device from the patient.   
     
     
         16 ) The method of  claim 15  wherein the medical device further comprises a rotatable knob, said knob is operable to adjust the curling direction of the articulating tip. 
     
     
         17 ) The method of  claim 15  further comprising the step of curling the articulating tip up to 90° from the longitudinal plane of the arm. 
     
     
         18 ) A medical device comprising:
 a. a handle;   b. an arm further comprising a rigid portion and an articulating tip each having a proximal end and distal end, wherein the distal end of the rigid portion is connected to the proximal end of the articulating tip;   c. a connecting member that further comprises a trigger mechanism; and   d. a sleeve that is adapted to cover the arm,
 wherein said sleeve further comprises a rounded cap that covers the distal end of the articulating tip of the arm, 
 wherein the handle is connected to the proximal end of the rigid portion of the arm by the connecting member, 
 wherein the trigger mechanism is operable to curl the articulating tip. 
   
     
     
         19 ) The medical device of  claim 18  wherein the sleeve is selected from a group of materials having properties that are flexible and non-irritant to human skin. 
     
     
         20 ) The medical device of  claim 18  wherein the sleeve further comprises markings adapted to measure the length of the arm.