Apparatus and method for everting catheter for iud delivery and placement in the uterine cavity

Abstract

An everting balloon system is disclosed that can be used for the placement of an IUD within the uterine cavity of a female patient. The everting balloon system with IUD can be used to access a uterine cavity at specific locations in the fundus. A one-handed IUD delivery system for placement with an everting catheter is disclosed. An IUD loading system for placement within an everting catheter is disclosed. The everting catheter with an IUD can simplify the process of IUD placement within the uterine cavity.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A system for delivering a device into the reproductive tract of a female comprising:
 a first catheter having a lumen and a distal lumen port, wherein the first catheter has a retracted configuration and an extended configuration;   an everting balloon attached to the first catheter;   an IUD within the first catheter; and   an irrigant comprising a medication, wherein the system is configured to deliver the irrigant through the first catheter to a uterus of the reproductive tract.   
     
     
         2 . A method for delivering a device into the reproductive tract of a female comprising:
 positioning the device in a uterus of the reproductive tract, wherein the device comprises an IUD, and wherein the positioning comprises everting a membrane attached to a first catheter,   delivering the IUD to the uterus through the first catheter; and   irrigating the uterus with an irrigant, wherein the irrigating comprises flowing the irrigant through the first catheter, and wherein the irrigant comprises a medication.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising positioning a first catheter against a cervical canal, wherein the first catheter is attached to an everting balloon. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , w herein the positioning of the device comprises sliding a second catheter within the first catheter, and wherein the device is in the second catheter before the device is positioned in the uterus. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the medication comprises an anesthetic agent. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , anesthetic agent comprises a local anesthetic. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , w herein the local anesthetic comprises an amino amide-type anesthetic. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the amino amide-type anesthetic comprises lidocaine. 
     
     
         9 . A method for delivering a device into the reproductive tract of a female comprising:
 positioning the device in a uterus of the reproductive tract, wherein the device comprises an IUD, and wherein the positioning comprises everting a first catheter; and   irrigating the uterus with an irrigant, and wherein the irrigant comprises an analgesic agent to the uterus.   
     
     
         10 . A method for delivering a device into the reproductive tract of a female comprising:
 positioning the device in a uterus of the reproductive tract, wherein the device comprises an IUD, and wherein the positioning comprises everting a first catheter; and   irrigating the uterus with an irrigant, and wherein the irrigant comprises a therapeutic agent.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the therapeutic agent comprises a cytotoxic agent. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the therapeutic agent comprises an anticoagulant. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the anticoagulant comprises heparin. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the therapeutic agent comprises a sclerosing agent. 
     
     
         15 . A method for delivering a device into the reproductive tract of a female comprising:
 positioning a lumen with a distal port in a uterus of the reproductive tract;   delivering an IUD through the lumen into the uterus; and   delivering an irrigant through the lumen into the uterus, wherein the irrigant comprises a medication.   
     
     
         16 . A system for delivering a device into the reproductive tract of a female comprising:
 a first catheter having a lumen and a distal lumen port, wherein the first catheter has a retracted configuration and an extended configuration;   an everting balloon attached to the first catheter, wherein at least a length of the everting balloon extends past a distal end of the first catheter when the first catheter is in the extended configuration;   a second catheter slidably located in the first catheter,   an IUD in the second catheter; and   a distal closure tip, wherein the distal closure tip is attached to the everting balloon,   wherein the distal closure tip comprises a pressure releasing element.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the distal closure tip is configured to detach the everting balloon from the first catheter and the second catheter. 
     
     
         18 . A system for delivering a device into the reproductive tract of a female comprising:
 a first catheter having a lumen and a distal lumen port, wherein the first catheter has a retracted configuration and an extended configuration;   an everting balloon attached to the first catheter, wherein at least a length of the everting balloon extends past a distal end of the first catheter when the first catheter is in the extended configuration;   a second catheter slidably located in the first catheter;   an IUD in the second catheter; and   a third catheter radially outside of the first catheter.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the everting balloon is attached at a first end of the everting balloon to the third catheter, and wherein the everting balloon is attached at a second end of the everting balloon to the first catheter.