Patent attributes
The present invention relates to an inserter (100), having a proximal (20) and distal (30) end, for inserting and positioning an intra-uterine device (IUD) (120), which is attached to a withdrawal string (130), said inserter (100) comprising: a) a plunger (102), having a central longitudinal axis, configured for slidable mounting of a hollow protective tube (110), the distal (30) end of the plunger (102) being configured for dismountable connection with the IUD (120), which protective tube (110) is configured to slidably cover the IUD (120); b) a handle (104), which is attached to the proximal (20) end of the plunger (102); and c) a longitudinal member (150) that forms part of the handle (104), which extends in the distal (30) direction with respect to the plunger (102), which longitudinal member (150) contains a friction contact surface (152) against which the protective tube (110) can frictionally engage, wherein the frictional engagement of the friction contact surface (152) against the protective tube (110) is manually actuatable and wherein the frictional engagement of the friction contact surface (152) against the protective tube (110) increases resistance to sliding of the protective tube (110) relative to the plunger (102).
