Recoverable intra-uterine device

Abstract

A recoverable intra-uterine device comprises a housing (11) containing one or several elements selected from a group containing an embryo, male and / or female gametes, a fertilised oocyte, an unfertilised egg and the combination thereof, wherein said housing (11) is provided with a wall made of a biocompatible material. The wall is provided with a series of perforations (12, 12') whose size is sufficient in order to bring the intra-uterine medium into a cellular contact with the housing (11) and to keep the elements therein. The inventive device is provided with a system for loading and unloding one or several elements selected from the group containing an embryo, male and / or female gametes, a fertilised oocyte, an unfertilised egg and the combination thereof.

Description

technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a retrievable intrauterine device, especially for the implantation of gametes or embryos in the uterus. Background technique

[0002] The present invention relates to general methods of in vivo and intrauterine fertilization in assisted reproductive methods following published culture techniques and / or pre-implantation development.

[0003] A retrievable intrauterine device as described in document WO3 / 011200 has been approved.

[0004] The intrauterine device comprises a chamber for containing a component of interest, such as embryos, female or male gametes, fertilized or unfertilized eggs, encapsulated within the device.

[0005] This encapsulation technology allows fertilization and embryo development in a capsule placed in the uterus.

[0006] The advantages of this technique are: overcoming several problems caused by in vitro culture; and pre-transfer developmental gametes and / or embryos can be placed during the ...

Examples

Embodiment approach

[0069] As an example, we illustrate with Figure 3 a second embodiment of the invention in which the chamber has a rectangular through-hole 12'.

[0070] The length of the through hole may be between 10-150 μm, preferably 75 μm or longer, or 150 μm or almost equal to the length of the small chamber 11 .

[0071] The small chamber is elongated cylindrical, and the rectangular through-hole 12' extends along the longitudinal direction of the small chamber.

[0072] In this embodiment, said wall comprises rows of through holes 12'

[0073] The pitch of the via holes 12' may be between 20 and 200 µm.

[0074] Thanks to the intrauterine device to which the present invention relates, it is possible to maintain oocytes and / or embryos under a chamber cage and at the same time optimize their interaction with the environment of the uterine cavity.

technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a retrievable intrauterine device, especially for the implantation of gametes or embryos in the uterus. Background technique

[0002] The present invention relates to general methods of in vivo and intrauterine fertilization in assisted reproductive methods following published culture techniques and / or pre-implantation development.

[0003] A retrievable intrauterine device as described in document WO3 / 011200 has been approved.

[0004] The intrauterine device comprises a chamber for containing a component of interest, such as embryos, female or male gametes, fertilized or unfertilized eggs, encapsulated within the device.

[0005] This encapsulation technology allows fertilization and embryo development in a capsule placed in the uterus.

[0006] The advantages of this technique are: overcoming several problems caused by in vitro culture; and pre-transfer developmental gametes and / or embryos can be placed during the ...

Examples

Embodiment approach

[0069] As an example, we illustrate with Figure 3 a second embodiment of the invention in which the chamber has a rectangular through-hole 12'.

[0070] The length of the through hole may be between 10-150 μm, preferably 75 μm or longer, or 150 μm or almost equal to the length of the small chamber 11 .

[0071] The small chamber is elongated cylindrical, and the rectangular through-hole 12' extends along the longitudinal direction of the small chamber.

[0072] In this embodiment, said wall comprises rows of through holes 12'

[0073] The pitch of the via holes 12' may be between 20 and 200 µm.

[0074] Thanks to the intrauterine device to which the present invention relates, it is possible to maintain oocytes and / or embryos under a chamber cage and at the same time optimize their interaction with the environment of the uterine cavity.

Images