Device for Intra-operative IUD Insertion

Sponsor

Carle Illinois College of Medicine: Valerie Chen, Matthew Lee

Student Team

Master of Engineering: Jackie Way
Undergraduates: Daniel Owen, Aaksa Nair, Rachel Dannhausen-Brun, Vongai Tizora
iMBA: Nutan Pandit

Description

Post-placental placement of IUD after C-section is a safe, effective practice that increases the odds that women will have an effective form of contraception at six-months postpartum (Levi et. al 2015). However, the current insertion technique results in a high rate of “lost” IUD strings that cannot be seen on subsequent vaginal exam (Pelayo 1994). One likely reason is that in the current technique, the IUD strings are directed to the lower uterine segment but not explicitly threaded through the cervix. As a result, as few as 21.7% to 28% of women who received intraoperative IUD placement had visible strings in the vagina in follow-up studies (Goldstruck 2017). As we will discuss below, the absence of IUD strings creates significant added morbidity and medical costs when it comes time for removal.

• SureThread is a sterile instrument used in the OR to assist in proper string placement in post-placental IUD insertion.
• The clinician will place the IUD in the uterine fundus using their hand. SureThread will first hold securely to the ends of the IUD strings and assists the clinician in placing the string ends through the internal cervical os. The clinician can then release the strings from the device once proper placement is achieved.

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