Ultrasonically detectable intrauterine system and method for enhancing ultrasound detection

Abstract

The present invention relates to ultrasonically detectable intrauterine systems and to a method for enhancing ultra-sound detection of these systems. An intrauterine sys-tem 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:
 a vertical arm having an upper end and a lower end,   horizontal arms extending from the upper end of the vertical arm,   a medicated capsule mounted on the vertical arm, and   at least one image enhancing structure adapted to improve ultrasound imaging of the IUS;   wherein the at least one image enhancing structure comprises at least one metal ring positioned at an upper end or lower end of the vertical arm, or at an end of one of the horizontal arms,   wherein the at least one metal ring is composed of silver, gold, titanium, tungsten, bismuth, platinum, palladium, or a combination thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The IUS according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least two locking structures to keep the medicated capsule in correct position during insertion, use and removal of the IUS. 
     
     
         3 . The IUS of  claim 1 , wherein the medicated capsule is a hormone-elastomer capsule that regulates a release of levonorgestrel. 
     
     
         4 . The IUS of  claim 1 , wherein the at east one metal ring is composed of a silver wire. 
     
     
         5 . The IUS of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one metal ring is partially embedded within the vertical arm or horizontal arm. 
     
     
         6 . The IUS of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one metal ring comprises a double ring that surrounds the upper end of the vertical arm. 
     
     
         7 . The IUS of  claim 6 , wherein the double ring is partially embedded within the upper end of the vertical arm. 
     
     
         8 . The IUS of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one metal ring does not comprise an active ingredient. 
     
     
         9 . The IUS of  claim 1 , wherein the IUS is a hormonal device, and the medicated capsule comprises the only active hormonal ingredient. 
     
     
         10 . An ultrasonically detectable intrauterine system (IUS) for long-term insertion into a uterine cavity, said IUS comprising a T-shaped plastic body and a hormone capsule placed in the vertical arm of the T-shaped plastic body, the vertical arm comprising at its lower end a loop wherein removal threads are tied, characterized in that the IUS comprises at least one image enhancing structure for improving the ultrasound imaging of the EUS, wherein the at least one image enhancing structure is at least one silver ring fixedly positioned and at least partly embedded in the body of the IUS. 
     
     
         11 . The IUS of  claim 10 , wherein the hormone capsule regulates a release of levonorgestrel. 
     
     
         12 . The IUS of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one silver ring does not comprise an active ingredient. 
     
     
         13 . The IUS of  claim 10 , wherein the hormone capsule comprises the only active hormonal ingredient. 
     
     
         14 . A method of improving the visualization of an intrauterine system within the uterine cavity in an ultrasound examination comprising
 providing the IUS according to  claim 1 , and   inserting the IUS into the uterine cavity and examining the position of the IUS within the uterine cavity in the ultrasound examination.