Implantable lumen occluding devices and methods

A method for blocking the flow of body fluid through an anatomical conduit that has a wall and a lumen, said method comprising the steps of:

• A. providing a lumen occluding device that comprises i) a generally tubular frame member and ii) a flexible member comprising a tube having an open first end and a substantially closed second end, the open first end of the flexible member being affixed to the frame member, said lumen occluding device being initially disposable in a first configuration wherein it may be transluminally advanced into the lumen of said anatomical conduit and subsequently expandable to a second configuration wherein it will engage the wall of the anatomical conduit such that the closed end of the flexible member will substantially block the flow of body fluid through the lumen of the anatomical conduit;
• B. positioning the lumen occluding device within the lumen of the 14 anatomical conduit while the device is in its first configuration;
• and, thereafter
• C. causing the lumen occluding device to expand to its second configuration such that the lumen occluding device frictionally engages the wall of the anatomical conduit and the closed end of the flexible member substantially blocks the flow of body fluid through the lumen of the anatomical conduit.