Dalkon Shield
Dalkon Shield
The Dalkon Shield (/ˈdɑːlkɒn ʃiːld/) is a type of intrauterine device (IUD) that was widely used in the 1970s. The name "Dalkon" is derived from the names of the inventors, Hugh J. Davis and Irwin Lerner, who combined the first three letters of their last names to create the brand name.
History
The Dalkon Shield was introduced to the market in 1971 by the A.H. Robins Company. It was marketed as a safer and more effective alternative to other forms of birth control. However, it was later found to cause severe health problems, including pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility, and even death in some cases. This led to numerous lawsuits and the eventual bankruptcy of the A.H. Robins Company.
Design
The Dalkon Shield was unique in its design, featuring a "shield" shape rather than the typical "T" shape of most IUDs. It also had a multifilament string, which was later found to allow bacteria to travel into the uterus, leading to infection.
Controversy and Legal Issues
The Dalkon Shield was the subject of one of the largest product liability cases in U.S. history. Thousands of women filed lawsuits against the A.H. Robins Company, claiming that the Dalkon Shield had caused them severe health problems. The company eventually filed for bankruptcy in 1985 and established a trust fund to compensate the victims.
Legacy
The Dalkon Shield case had a significant impact on the medical and legal fields. It led to stricter regulations for medical devices and highlighted the importance of informed consent in medical procedures.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Dalkon Shield
- Wikipedia's article - Dalkon Shield
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