Assessing Pain and Effectiveness of Carevix Device for IUD Insertions (CARE)

August 11, 2026 updated by: Alissa M Conklin, Indiana University

The Carevix Device: Assessing Pain and Effectiveness of a Suction-based Cervical Stabilizer for IUD Insertions in the Clinic Setting: a Randomized, Controlled Trial (CARE)

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate patient-reported pain, bleeding, and device efficiency along with provider satisfaction and ease of use between IUD insertions using a suction cervical stabilizer (new device, FDA approved, atraumatic) and single-tooth tenaculum (standard, traumatic). Our aims are to:

  • assess and compare patient-reported pain during IUD insertion between the Carevix device and tenaculum.
  • assess predictors of pain scores including between nulliparous and multiparous patients
  • assess provider-reported ease of use and satisfaction

Participants (including providers) will:

  • be randomized to receive one device to complete the IUD procedure
  • complete a survey following the procedure

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

The primary objective is to assess and compare patient-reported pain during IUD insertion between the Carevix device and tenaculum. The hypothesis is that patient-reported pain scores comparing Carevix™ to tenaculum will be lower. The investigators will assess pain, and predictors for pain scores including nulliparous vs multiparous, when highest pain scores are reported, and expectation of pain for the procedure.

The secondary objective will be to assess Usability (provider assessment of ease of use, number of device placement attempts to secure sufficient traction on uterus), efficacy (ability to insert IUD with Carevix™ device alone without recourse to conventional tenaculum or other instruments), provider reported bleeding (cervical bleeding and ecchymosis), overall provider satisfaction, patient-reported pain scores at device placement prior to IUD insertion procedure and after completion of IUD insertion using Visual Analog Scale (VAS), overall patient satisfaction, and overall provider satisfaction. The investigators aim to expand the pilot trial data collection to assess cultural background, ethnicity and demographics while also assessing prior contraceptive choices, reasons for discontinuation of prior choices and reasons for current selection of IUD insertion and any anticipated barriers for removal.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
100

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Contact Backup

  • Name: Alissa M Conklin, MD
  • Phone Number: 317-944-8231
  • Email: alconkli@iu.edu

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Indiana
      • Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, 46202
        • Recruiting
        • Indiana University Hospital
        • Contact:

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria (to be assessed prior to procedure):

  • Age 18 years or older
  • Able to consent on their own
  • Scheduled and will undergo an IUD insertion within 90 days of consent
  • Planned use of cervical stabilization device for placement
  • Procedure being performed by a trained provider
  • Provider is willing to use Carevix™ for scheduled procedure

Exclusion Criteria (to be assessed by provider at time of procedure):

  • Vaginal bleeding of unknown origin
  • Cervix less than 26 mm in diameter
  • Nabothian cyst on anterior lip of cervix
  • Cervical myomas
  • Cervical abnormalities/shape
  • Pregnant
  • Participants who are not fluent in and/or do not fully understand, read, write, or speak the English language
  • Other inability to provide informed consent to participate
  • Initial attempt to place the IUD without any cervical stabilization

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Other
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Carevix
Patients will receive the atraumatic, suction-based, cervical stabilizer (Carevix) for their IUD insertion.
Device: Carevix
Vacuum cervical stabilization device
Active Comparator: Tenaculum
Patients will receive the standard of care device (single tooth tenaculum) for their IUD insertion.
Device: Tenaculum
Standard of care cervical stabilization device

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Patient pain score
Time Frame: During Procedure (at Cervix Grasping, at Cervix Traction, and at IUD placement)
Participants will be asked to rate their pain prior to, during, and after the IUD insertion procedure on a 0-10 scale, with zero meaning "no pain" and 10 meaning "the worst pain imaginable."
During Procedure (at Cervix Grasping, at Cervix Traction, and at IUD placement)
Difference in Pain Score
Time Frame: Prior to procedure, during procedure (at cervix grasping, at cervix traction, at IUD placement), and 5 minutes after procedure completion
Participants will be asked to rate their pain prior to, during, and after the IUD insertion procedure on a 0-10 scale, with zero meaning "no pain" and 10 meaning "the worst pain imaginable." Pain scores will be compared among nulliparous and multiparous participants
Prior to procedure, during procedure (at cervix grasping, at cervix traction, at IUD placement), and 5 minutes after procedure completion
Highest Pain Score
Time Frame: Prior to procedure, during procedure (at cervix grasping, at cervix traction, at IUD placement), and 5 minutes after procedure completion
Participants will be asked to rate their pain prior to, during, and after the IUD insertion procedure on a 0-10 scale, with zero meaning "no pain" and 10 meaning "the worst pain imaginable." The time at which the highest pain score was reported will be compared.
Prior to procedure, during procedure (at cervix grasping, at cervix traction, at IUD placement), and 5 minutes after procedure completion
Expectation of Pain
Time Frame: Within 15 minutes after IUD procedure completion
Participants will be asked to rate their expectation of pain on a scale of 0-10 scale, with zero meaning "no pain" and 10 meaning "the worst pain imaginable."
Within 15 minutes after IUD procedure completion

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Provider device satisfaction - Time to Use Device
Time Frame: Immediately after IUD procedure
Providers will be asked to provide their agreement that procedure time was not extended due to the device use on a 5 point Likert scale from "Strongly Disagree"-"Strongly Agree"
Immediately after IUD procedure
Provider device satisfaction - Impact on Patient Discomfort
Time Frame: Immediately after IUD insertion procedure
Providers will be asked whether the device's use impacted patient discomfort on a 5 point Likert scale from "Strongly Disagree"-"Strongly Agree."
Immediately after IUD insertion procedure
Provider device satisfaction - Device Preference
Time Frame: Immediately after IUD insertion procedure
Providers will be asked to rate their overall satisfaction with the device on a 5 point Likert scale from "Strongly Disagree"-"Strongly Agree"
Immediately after IUD insertion procedure
Provider device satisfaction - Procedure Visibility
Time Frame: Immediately after IUD insertion procedure
Providers will be asked to rate visibility while using the device on a 5 point Likert scale from "Strongly Disagree"-"Strongly Agree"
Immediately after IUD insertion procedure
Provider device satisfaction - Pulling Strength
Time Frame: Immediately after IUD insertion procedure
Providers will be asked to rate the device's pulling strength as adequate on a 5 point Likert scale from "Strongly Disagree"-"Strongly Agree"
Immediately after IUD insertion procedure
Provider device satisfaction (Ease of Use)
Time Frame: Immediately after IUD procedure
Providers using the Carevix device will be asked to rate ease of use on a 5 point Likert scale from "Strongly Disagree"-"Strongly Agree."
Immediately after IUD procedure
Number of Device Placement Attempts
Time Frame: Immediately after IUD insertion procedure
Providers are asked to report the number of attempts required for device placement
Immediately after IUD insertion procedure
Need for Device Replacement
Time Frame: Immediately after IUD insertion procedure
Providers who use the Carevix device will be asked if the procedure's successful completion required replacing the Carevix device with the cervical tenaculum
Immediately after IUD insertion procedure
Provider Reported Bleeding
Time Frame: Immediately after IUD insertion procedure
The number of providers who had to manage or stop bleeding on cervical tissues will be compared.
Immediately after IUD insertion procedure
Time to Bleeding Cessation
Time Frame: Immediately after IUD procedure completion
The time (minutes) required for the providers to stop bleeding of cervical tissues will be compared.
Immediately after IUD procedure completion
Patient pain score
Time Frame: Prior to Procedure and 5 minutes after procedure completion
Participants will be asked to rate their pain prior to, during, and after the IUD insertion procedure on a 0-10 scale, with zero meaning "no pain" and 10 meaning "the worst pain imaginable."
Prior to Procedure and 5 minutes after procedure completion
Overall Patient Satisfaction
Time Frame: Immediately after IUD procedure completion
Participants will rate their satisfaction with the procedure on a 5 point Likert scale from 5 point Likert scale from "Strongly Disagree"-"Strongly Agree"
Immediately after IUD procedure completion

Other Outcome Measures

Other Outcome Measures

For clinical trials, a planned measurement described in the protocol that is used to determine the effect of an intervention/treatment on participants. For observational studies, a measurement or observation that is used to describe patterns of diseases or traits, or associations with exposures, risk factors, or treatment. Types of outcome measures include primary outcome measure and secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Predictors for pain score
Time Frame: Immediately after IUD insertion procedure
Questionnaire
Immediately after IUD insertion procedure
Patient pain score at device placement, prior to IUD insertion (Numeric Pain Rating Scale)
Time Frame: During IUD insertion procedure
0-10 scale, with zero meaning "no pain" and 10 meaning "the worst pain imaginable"
During IUD insertion procedure
Patient pain score after completion of IUD insertion procedure (Numeric Pain Rating Scale)
Time Frame: Immediately after IUD insertion procedure
0-10 scale, with zero meaning "no pain" and 10 meaning "the worst pain imaginable"
Immediately after IUD insertion procedure

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Indiana University

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
Aspivix SA

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Alissa M Conklin, MD, Indiana School of Medicine

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Helpful Links

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
March 11, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
March 1, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
March 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
December 11, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
December 16, 2025

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
December 18, 2025

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
August 13, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
August 11, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • 25731

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

Yes

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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