The forces imposed by the novel T-shape Cu/LDPE nanocomposite intrauterine devices on the simulated uterine cavity.
BACKGROUND
A simulated device was designed to study the forces, which are one of the most important factors relevant to the pain caused by the inserted intrauterine devices (IUDs), imposed by the novel T-shape copper/low-density polyethylene nanocomposite IUDs and the existing T-shape copper-containing IUDs (CuT 220C) on the uterine cavity.


METHODS
Tests were performed in a simulated uterine cavity with the same simulated uterine solution at a constant temperature of 37.0+/-0.1 degrees C. Force and deformation were measured using the Digital Push Pull Force Gauge with a gauge of displacement.


RESULTS
The novel T-shape nanocomposite IUD and the existing T-shape Cu-IUD (CuT 220C) have a similar relationship between force and deformation when they are removed from the simulated uterine cavity, but they have a quite different relationship when they are pressed by axial compressive loads.


CONCLUSIONS
It can be surmised that the novel T-shape nanocomposite IUD is superior to the existing T-shape Cu-IUD. It may alleviate the users' pain in future clinical application. Shape is a very important factor that affects the force imposed by the inserted IUDs, and it must be taken into account when a new IUD is designed.
Xia
Xianping
X
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Plastic Forming Simulation and Mould Technology, Institute of Materia Medica, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, P.R. China.
Xie
Changsheng
C
Wang
Yun
Y
Cai
Shuizhou
S
Zhu
Changhong
C
Yang
Xiangliang
X
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007435:Intrauterine Devices, Copper / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008422:Materials Testing; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D014599:Uterus / Q000502:physiology