FORM 2
THE PATENT ACT 1970
&
The Patents Rules, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10 and rule 13)
1. TITLE OF THE INVENTION:
"A Loading, Inserting and Releasing Means for an Intrauterine Device"
2. APPLICANT(S)
1. (a) NAME; Pregna Internationa] Limi ted
(b) NATIONALITY: Indian Company registered under the
Provisions of Companies Act, 1956
(c) ADDRESS: 13, Suryoday Estate,
136, Tardeo Road,
Mumbai -400034, M.S. India
2. (a) NAME: Ticket Design Pvt Ltd
(b) NATIONALITY: Indian Company registered under the
Provisions of Companies Act, 1956
(c) ADDRESS: 87/20, B2 Veer Bhadranagar,
Near Ganaraj Manga] Karyalaya, Baner Road, Pune 411045 India
3. PRREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
COMPLETE
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

A Loading, Inserting and Releasing Means for an Intrauterine Device
Field of invention
The present invention relates to a loading means for assisting in insertion and release of an intrauterine device into uterus, and more specifically, to a loading, insertion and release means of a T-shaped intrauterine device into uterus.
Background of the invention
Conventionally, loading mechanism for an intrauterine contraceptive device (hereinafter 'IUD') includes devices where a Copper T (hereinafter 'Cu T') is loaded into a tube manually by hand and then the tube is inserted into uterus. Further, the release of the Cu T in the uterus is also controlled manually. However, the loading devices which are small, needs to be handled by both the hands. The handling of such devices is to be done cautiously and skillfully. Further, handling of two or many loose parts is involved while using the conventional loading devices. Further, such handling may a cause infection. The physicians would need both the hands to be used for insertion of the IUD with the help of the conventional loading means which makes it difficult to handle other tools simultaneously and may even lead to improper loading, improper insertion, misaligned IUD placement In such cases, physicians have to depend on assistants to hold the tools.
Furthermore, the existing loading devices are very straight and may not follow the natural curve of the human body making it painful and difficult to use. Also, the release of the Cu T in the uterus needs to be well controlled by the physician and in case of wrong usage, the relative movement between the solid rod (plunger) of the loading means and the tube may cause injury to the patient.

Moreover, the numbers of steps involved in executing the insertion of the IUD using conventional loading devices are many and may confuse the physician and the physician needs training and practice in order to use the device.
Objects of the invention
An object of the present invention is to provide a loading, inserting and releasing for IUD which provides a trouble free insertion and release and provide high level of safety to the doctors as well as patients,
Another object of the present invention is to provide a loading, inserting and releasing for IUD which requires minimum steps to be performed for insertion of the intrauterine device in the uterus.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a single use loading, inserting and releasing means for IUD.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a loading, inserting and releasing for IUD which is less painful as compared to conventional IUD loading
device.
Further object of the present invention is to provide a ergonomic tool for the doctors,

Summary of the invention
Accordingly, the present invention provides a loading, inserting and releasing means ('the loading means') for a T-shaped intrauterine device (IUD) into uterus, the loading means comprising:
a shaft member comprising,
a loader having a flange configured at a front portion thereof, a platform configured at a proximal end of the loader, the platform capable of holding the T-shaped IUD in an open position in front of an opening of the loader, and
an elongated member extending from the platform, the elongated member having a slot running therethrough, wherein the slot is aligned to the opening of the loader;
an inserter tube having a lower portion of the T-shaped IUD inserted therein, the inserter tube having marking thereon;
a plunger configured within the inserter tube for supporting the lower portion of the T-shaped IUD , the inserter tube along with the plunger capable of running through the slot; and
a knob configured on the inserter tube, the knob enables to move the inserter tube along with plunger in forward and backward direction,
wherein, upon placing the T-shaped IUD on the platform in an open position, the knob is pushed forward up to a predetermined marking on the inserter tube thereby pushing horizontal arms of the T-shaped IUD in a folded position inside the loader and thereafter in the inserter tube, and positioning the T-shaped IUD in folded position, at a premeasured size as per the markings, thereafter the inserter tube is inserted into the uterus up to a predetermined depth and the knob is pulled backwards thereby releasing the T-shaped IUD into the uterus from the folded position to the open position.

Typically, wherein folding and engaging of the horizontal arms of the T-shaped IUD inside the inserter tube is achieved by the loader and the integrated snaps and stoppers.
Typically, wherein a conical channel is provided for facilitating the folding of the horizontal arms of the T-shaped intrauterine device inside the inserter tube.
Typically, wherein the elongated member has a curve which provides comfort to a patient and the doctor while inserting the loading means.
Typically, wherein the inserter tube has scale marking on it depicting the measurement of depth of uterus.
Brief description of the drawings
Figure 1 depicts a perspective view of a loading means for inserting an intrauterine device (IUD) into uterus, in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 depicts a top view of the loading means of figure 1; and
Figure 3 depicts a cross sectional view of the loading means of figure 1.

Detail description of the invention
The foregoing objects of the invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with the prior art techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention as described below in the preferred embodiment.
The present invention provides a loading means for intrauterine device (IUD) which provides a trouble free insertion and high level of safety to the user. Further, the loading means requires minimum steps to be performed for insertion of the IUD in the uterus. Furthermore, the loading means for the IUD is less painful for the patient and easy for the doctor as compared to conventional IUD loading device.
The present invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout which reference numbers indicate corresponding parts in the figure. These reference numbers are shown in bracket in the following description.
Referring now to figure 1-3, there are shown various views of a loading means for insertion of a T-shaped intrauterine device (hereinafter IUD) into uterus, in accordance with the present invention. Specifically the figure 1-3 shows a loading means (100). The loading means (100) includes a shaft member (10), an inserter tube (20), a T-shaped IUD (30) and a plunger (40).
The shaft member (10) includes a loader (12). The loader (12) is configured to receive a T-shaped IUD (30) therein in a folded form. In an embodiment, the T-shaped IUD is a Copper-T. Further, the loader includes a flange (12a) provided on a front portion thereof. The flange (12a) restricts the entry of the loader (12) into the uterus.

At the proximal end of the loader (12), there is provided a platform (14). The platform (14) is capable of holding the T-shaped IUD (30) in an open position in front of an opening (not numbered) of the loader (12).
The shaft member (10) further includes an elongated member (16) extending from the platform (14). The elongated member (16) has a slot (16a) running therethrough covering the entire length of the elongated member (16). In an embodiment, the slot (16a) is partially closed. Specifically, the slot (16a) is aligned to the opening of the loader (12). In an embodiment, the elongated member has a natural curve to help user and a patient to feel comfortable while inserting the loading means (100) in the uterus.
Further, the inserter tube (20) includes a lower portion of the T-shaped IUD (30) inserted therein prior to the operation of loading, inserting and releasing the T-shaped IUD (30) in to the uterus. The inserter tube (20) is provided with marking thereon and is capable of running through the slot (16a).
Furthermore, a knob (24) is provided on the inserter tube (20) for pushing the inserter tube (20) in forward and backward direction. Specifically, the marking on the inserter tube (20) helps the physician to position the inserter tube (20) to a predetermined length in the uterus. Generally, the length of the uterine cavity varies from patient to patient. The length of the uterine cavity is measured by a uterine sound or any other uterine length measuring equipment known in the art. In an embodiment, when the inserter tube (20) is pushed forward, a click sound is generated which is a measurement unit to mark measurement of depth of the uterus. The click sound is generated due to the protrusions or snaps which facilitate one

way movement of the plunger (40). This is useful to the doctor in case they are unable to visually see the reading or in case they are not looking at the markings during the positioning.
The plunger (40) is configured within the inserter tube (20) for supporting the lower portion of the T-shaped IUD (30). Specifically, the inserter tube (20) along with the plunger (40) is capable of running through the slot (16a).
In an operation, the T-shaped IUD (30) is placed on the platform (14) in an open position. Thereafter, the knob (24) of the inserter tube (20) is pushed forward to predetermined marking thereby pushing horizontal arms of the T-shaped IUD (30) in a folded position inside the inserter tube (20) with the help of the loader (12) integrated snaps and stoppers. Further, a cone in the loader (12) is provided for facilitating the folding of the horizontal arms of the T-shaped intrauterine device inside the inserter tube (20).
Furthermore, the loading means (100) is pushed through vaginal cavity up to the mouth of the uterus wherein the loader flange (12a) restricts the further movement of the loader (12) inside the uterus. The loader (12) holds the T-shaped IUD in front of the uterus in folded position inside the inserter tube (20). Thereafter, the the loading means (100) is further pushed so that the inserter tube (20) enters into the uterus up to a predetermined depth identified by the doctor by use of the uterine sound or any similar device and then the knob (24) is pulled backwards thereby releasing the T-shaped IUD (30) into the uterus from the folded position to the open position. Specifically, the pulling back of the knob (24) pulls back the inserter tube (20), however, the plunger (40) remains in place which helps to release the T-shaped IUD (30) from folded position to the open position_in the Uterus.

The loading means (100) is a single hand operated device which can be used with extreme ease. Further, the loading means (100) is a single use loading means for IUD which provides a clean process of insertion of IUD without having chance of infection. The mechanism of the loading means (100) ensures that it is single time use as the stoppers placed on the inside prevent re use. Further, the curve of the loading means (100) has been derived from the natural curve of the human body and has been kept subtle to accommodate variations in shape, position and change in sizes. The design of the loading means (100) is comfortable to hold in the palm of the physician.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

We Claim
1. A loading, inserting and releasing means ('the loading means') for a T-
shaped intrauterine device (IUD) into uterus, the loading means comprising: a shaft member comprising,
a loader having a flange configured at a front portion thereof, a platform configured at a proximal end of the loader, the platform capable of holding the T-shaped IUD in an open position in front of an opening of the loader, and
an elongated member extending from the platform, the elongated member having a slot running therethrough, wherein the slot is aligned to the opening of the loader;
an inserter tube having a lower portion of the T-shaped IUD inserted therein, the inserter tube having marking thereon;
a plunger configured within the inserter tube for supporting the lower portion of the T-shaped IUD , the inserter tube along with the plunger capable of running through the slot; and
a knob configured on the inserter tube, the knob enables to move the inserter tube along with plunger in forward and backward direction,
wherein, upon placing the T-shaped IUD on the platform in an open position, the knob is pushed forward up to a predetermined marking on the inserter tube thereby pushing horizontal arms of the T-shaped IUD in a folded position inside the loader and thereafter in the inserter tube, and positioning the T-shaped IUD in folded position, at a premeasured size as per the markings, thereafter the inserter tube is inserted into the uterus up to a predetermined depth and the knob is pulled backwards thereby releasing the T-shaped IUD into the uterus from the folded position to the open position.

2. The loading means for loading a T-shaped IUD as claimed in claim 1, wherein folding and engaging of the horizontal arms of the T-shaped IUD inside the inserter tube is achieved by the loader and the integrated snaps and stoppers.
3. The loading means for loading a T-shaped IUD as claimed in claim 1, wherein a conical channel is provided for facilitating the folding of the horizontal arms of the T-shaped intrauterine device inside the inserter tube
4. The loading means for loading a T-shaped IUD as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elongated member has a curve which provides comfort to a patient and the doctor while inserting the loading means.
5. The loading means for loading a T-shaped IUD as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the inserter tube has scale marking on it depicting the measurement of
depth of uterus.