title: Assessment of copper corrosion from frameless copper IUDs after long-term in utero residence.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the site-specific corrosive behavior of the frameless intrauterine device (IUD) following long-term exposure to the uterine environment.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative and morphological study using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three GyneFix® IUDs that were in site up to 150 months were examined. In utero corroded copper sleeves were divided into 10 different groups based on their shape (U or O), orientation (inside or outside) and in utero residence time. XRD indicated the presence of solely cuprite (Cu2O) as corrosion product on both the inside and the outside of the copper sleeves, regardless of their shape. These results were confirmed by backscattered electron micrographs recorded on the inside, the outside and the cross-section of the IUD sleeve. SEM results suggest that shape and orientation slightly affect the corrosion rate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The apparent copper loss from both sides of GyneFix copper tubes proves that both sides are a potential copper source and therefore justifies the design of GyneFix IUD. This could be beneficial for women as the IUD could be reduced in size and therefore better tolerated. The impact on bleeding could also be minimized.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Release of copper ions from both sides of the copper tubes of the frameless GyneFix® IUD allows the IUD to be reduced in size, contributing to better toleration. The impact on menstrual bleeding is also minimized by a smaller size of the foreign body.
authors.affiliation: Gynecological Outpatient Clinic and IUD Training Centre, Ghent 9000, Belgium. Electronic address: d.wildemeersch@skynet.be.
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wildemeersch
authors.affiliation: Department of Analytical Chemistry, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281-S12, Ghent 9000, Belgium.
authors.forename: Pieter-Jan
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Sabbe
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Mark G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Dowsett
authors.affiliation: Department of Analytical Chemistry, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281-S12, Ghent 9000, Belgium.
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Flexer
authors.affiliation: XMaS, The UK-CRG, European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, 6 rue Jules Horowitz, BP220, 38043 Grenoble, Cedex, France; Department of Physics, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZX, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Pam A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.affiliation: Department of Analytical Chemistry, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281-S12, Ghent 9000, Belgium.
authors.forename: Annemie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Adriaens
mesh_terms: D003300:Copper / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D003343:Corrosion; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007435:Intrauterine Devices, Copper; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D013997:Time Factors; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D003300:Copper; C000520:cuprous oxide
keywords: Copper; Corrosion; Frameless IUD; In utero; Synchrotron radiation; XRD