DK636974

1495735 Intrauterine contraceptive SCHERING AG 6 Dec 1974 [6 Dec 1973 18 Jan 1974 1 June 1974] 52961/74 Headings A5B and A5R A Y-shaped intrauterine contraceptive is formed of synthetic plastics material and has a rounded head 5, 6 at the end of each of its branches 3, 4 respectively and a plurality of rounded enlargements 1, 10-13 spaced along its stem, the angle between the branches and that between each branch and the stem being obtuse and the resilience of the contraceptive being such that the branches can be brought into substantially axial alignment with the stem. The heads 5, 6 and enlargements 1, 10-13 may be substantially spherical. A pharmacologically active substance may be incorporated in or on the contraceptive for gradual release into the uterus. This substance may comprise a metal e.g. copper, silver or nickel, which may be applied as a coating to one or more of the spheres, and the coating may comprise a plurality of layers, successive layers being of different metals. Alternatively the metal may be in particulate form and distributed throughout a sphere. The substance may alternatively have a hormonal or gestagenic activity and may be a steroid. It may also have a local anaesthetic or weakly basic buffering action. The substance may be dispersed in the plastics or be included in a core member inserted in at least one sphere. The contraceptive may be inserted into the uterus using a tubular inserter 16 containing a rigid member 17 connected to an elongate member 14 at the base of the stem by a severable cord 18. A filament 19 for location in the cervical canal may be connected to member 14, which filament may also be provided with the pharmacologically active substance.