Claims:1. A method for artificial insemination for human female, the method comprising:
placing a reservoir of an artificial insemination apparatus in close proximity of cervix of woman;
delivering washed sperm to the reservoir of the artificial insemination apparatus;
keeping the washed sperm in the reservoir in close proximity of the cervix by keeping the artificial insemination apparatus in a predetermined position for a predetermined time period.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising removing the artificial insemination apparatus after the predetermined time period.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the delivering washed sperm comprises:
delivering the washed sperm from a syringe having the washed sperm to the reservoir via a delivery tube of the artificial insemination apparatus .
4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the delivering washed sperm comprises:
delivering the washed sperm from a syringe having the washed sperm to the reservoir via a catheter, wherein the catheter is inserted in the delivery tube of the artificial insemination apparatus .
5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predetermined position is a resting position of woman after inserting the cap inside vagina.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predetermined time period is at least 6 hours.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predetermined time period is at most 10 hours.

8. An artificial insemination apparatus comprising:
a cap of a flexible material coupled to a connector through a delivery tube, wherein the cap, the delivery tube and the connector forms a continuous hollow channel to allow flow of a fluid.
9. The artificial insemination apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the cap comprised a foldable part and a reservoir, wherein the foldable portion is adapted to fit around the cervix of female and the reservoir is adapted to keep washed sperm in place near the cervix.

10. The artificial insemination apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the delivery tube is a flexible tube made of medical grade plastic and the connector is adapted to connect to a syringe for receiving the washed sperm.
, Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an artificial insemination apparatus and method.
BACKGROUND
Artificial insemination in human female is nowadays a well recognized technique for conceiving a child if for some reason natural conception is not possible. Various methods and techniques are known in the state of art for performing artificial insemination However, known methods and techniques suffer from various shortcomings such as high cost and inconvenience of going to a hospital or clinic. Begetting a child is a very personal experience and many people hesitate to go to a doctor or hospital to share their problems as to why they cannot conceive naturally. There is a need in the state of the art for a cost-effective and private method and apparatus for performing artificial insemination.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The following presents a simplified summary of the subject matter in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of subject matter embodiments. This summary is not an extensive overview of the subject matter. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the embodiments or to delineate the scope of the subject matter. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the subject matter in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The present invention provides an apparatus and method which can be used for performing artificial insemination at home or in a personal setting suited for the need of the user. The present invention discloses an artificial insemination cap and a method to use it for performing artificial insemination by a user.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a better understanding of the embodiments of the apparatus and method described herein, and to show more clearly how they may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like elements/components throughout and wherein:
Figure 1 illustrates an artificial insemination apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 illustrates the artificial insemination apparatus of figure 1 in which a cap of the apparatus is in a folded position according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 schematically illustrates the position of artificial insemination apparatus inside vagina of woman according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4 illustrates disposal of the washed sperm using the artificial insemination apparatus near the cervix hole of woman using a delivery tube according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 5 illustrates disposal of the washed sperm using the artificial insemination apparatus near the cervix hole of woman using a catheter according to one embodiment of the present invention; and
Figure 6 illustrates through a flowchart the method of artificial insemination according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Exemplary embodiments now will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey its scope to those skilled in the art. The terminology used in the detailed description of the particular exemplary embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings is not intended to be limiting. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements.
The specification may refer to “an”, “one” or “some” embodiment(s) in several locations. This does not necessarily imply that each such reference is to the same embodiment(s), or that the feature only applies to a single embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may also be combined to provide other embodiments.
As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless expressly stated otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “includes”, “comprises”, “including” and/or “comprising” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. Furthermore, “connected” or “coupled” as used herein may include operatively connected or coupled. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations and arrangements of one or more of the associated listed items.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
The present invention relates to artificial insemination and in particular the present invention relates to artificial insemination apparatus and a method for performing artificial insemination of a human female. It is known in artificial insemination techniques that vaginal environment is not suitable for survival male sperm. However, in the natural copulation male sperm has to pass through the vaginal tract and reach the uterus through the cervix. The methods and apparatuses provided by the state of the art do not take this factor into account while performing artificial insemination.
A further issue with the methods and apparatuses provided by the state of the art is that the time duration provided for the sperms to actually pass through the cervix and enter uterus of the women is not taken into account. The present invention overcomes above shortcomings of the state of the art.
Figure 1 illustrates an artificial insemination apparatus 100. The apparatus 100 comprises cap 102, the connector 104 and delivery tube 106. The tube 106 couples the connector 104 and the cap 102. The delivery tube 106 forms a continuous channel between the connector and the tube, the continuous channel of the delivery tube may be used for transfer of a fluid from the connector to the cap.
The cap has a distinct shape. In one embodiment of the present invention the cap has a hollow body which at bottom part thereof is a semispherical reservoir and coupled therewith and extending upward is a flexible body circumscribing the reservoir. The reservoir is used for deposit and placing the sperm near the cervix for a predetermined time period. In one embodiment of the present invention the cap 102 is a continuous body wherein the reservoir 112 has a hemispherical shape. Extending from the edge of the hemisphere 112 is a foldable hollow body 108 terminating with large open end 110. The body 108 is longer at one edge and shorter at the other edge.
In one embodiment of the present invention the body 108 is shaped to accommodate the cervix hole and a predetermined area surrounding the cervix hole. The delivery tube which extends from the cap 102 is a flexible and hollow tube having a length larger than the vaginal tract so that the connector 104 is available outside the vaginal tract. The connector 104 is a cylindrical body having through hole 114 which forms continuous channel with the delivery tube 106. The connector 104 has a lateral surface 116. In one embodiment of the present invention the connector 104, the delivery tube 106, and the cap 102 is formed as a single body using medical grade plastic.
Figure 2 illustrates the apparatus 200 wherein the cap 102 is shown folded. The folded configuration of the apparatus 102 is used when inserting the apparatus through the vaginal tract and placing it so as to cover cervix hole of the woman. As can be clearly seen in figure 2 the foldable part of the cap is used to circumference around the cervix hole so that the deposit of a sperm remains close to the cervix hole.
Figure 3 schematically illustrates the position of artificial insemination apparatus inside vagina of woman according to one embodiment of the present invention. For better understanding of the functioning of the present invention, anatomy of certain parts of female reproductive system is also illustrated. The cap 102 with folded portion 108 is slowly inserted up the vaginal tract so that the reservoir 112 is in close proximity to the cervix 310 (not clearly illustrated). The folded portion 112 may be adjusted by manipulating the connector 104 to snugly fit inside vagina. Connected to the cervix 310 is the uterus 304 where after fertilization inside the fallopian tubes 308 the development of embryo takes place. Connected to the fallopian tubes 308 and the uterus 304 are ovaries 306 which produce female egg. The anatomy of female reproductive organs and process of development of embryo is well known in the state of the art and need not be dwelt on further.
Figure 4 illustrates according to an embodiment of the present invention delivery of washed sperm 406 near the cervix hole. Syringe 402 is connected to the connector 104. The syringe 402 contains washed sperm 406 which can be pushed to the connector 116 using the plunger 408. In this manner the washed sperm 406 is transferred from the syringe 402 to the reservoir 112 via the delivery tube 106.
Figure 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the method for delivering the washed sperm 406 to the reservoir 112. In this embodiment catheter 506 is first inserted into the delivery tube 106 through the free end of the connector 104. Syringe 506 is connected to the free end 504 of the catheter 502. The syringe 506 contains washed sperm 508 which is pushed using the plunger 510 to the catheter 502. The inserted end 506 of the catheter 502 delivers the washed sperm 506 to the reservoir 112.
Figure 6 illustrates a method 600 of artificial insemination for human female, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The method 600 for artificial insemination begins at step 602 wherein the artificial insemination cap 102 is inserted into vagina of woman so as to place the cap 102 near the cervix of woman. At step 604, washed sperm is delivered to the reservoir 112 of the cap 102 using the connector 104. At step 606, the cap is kept in a predetermined position inside vagina for a predetermined time period for sperms to reach the uterus 304 and fallopian tubes 306 for fertilization to take place. At step 608, the cap 102 is removed from the vagina.
It will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in this art that various modifications and variations may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein, consistent with the present disclosure, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Other embodiments consistent with the present disclosure will become apparent from consideration of the specification and the practice of the description disclosed herein.