Historical information

The only IUD of Australian origin, developed in 1971 by Australian doctor Ian Anderson in partnership with Ansell Australia and produced at the Ansell factory, 18 River Street, Richmond in the 1970s. The device was taken up by the Battelle Foundation, USA, and clinical trials were carried out in Israel, Indonesia and Singapore. No formal clinical trials were carried out in Australia. The device was used extensively by Population Services International, a private abortion clinic in Sydney in the mid 1970s. At the time this device was donated to the collection in 1997, there were legal proceedings regarding two Australian women who claimed ongoing problems as a result of its use. The donor, Dr Richard Gutch, practised in Clifton Hill and used some in the 1970s but not for long. The drawbacks were the multi-filament string acted as a wick for infection, also the latex leaf often came away from the thread when pulled for removal. Curettage was often the only effective way to remove the IUD. Dr Gutch removed many as he developed a reputation for being skilled at their removal.

Physical description

Intrauterine device (IUD), Ansell-Anderson latex leaf design, with paper sleeve. Made of latex impregnated with copper and zinc. The IUD is leaf-shaped with serrated edge and diamond shape cut out from its centre. Small hole in tail with attached twisted cream coloured thread.
Paper sleeve is stamped, "THE/ ANDERSON-ANSELL/LATEX LEAF/I.U.D". SIZE:A/PATENTS PENDING", and notes it is Size A.