Transcervical fallopian tube occlusion devices and their delivery
AssigneeConceptus, Inc.
InventorsJulian Nikolchev, Dai Ton, Amy Thurmond
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention provides intrafallopian devices and non-surgical methods for their placement to prevent conception. The efficacy of the device is enhanced by forming the structure at least in part from copper or a copper alloy. The device is anchored within the fallopian tube by imposing a secondary shape on a resilient structure, the secondary shape having a larger cross-section than the fallopian tube. The resilient structure is restrained in a straight configuration and transcervically inserted within the fallopian tube, where it is released. The resilient structure is then restrained by the walls of the fallopian tube, imposing anchoring forces as it tries to resume the secondary shape.
Claims19
A contraceptive delivery system comprising:
- an elongate body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a delivery lumen, the distal end configured for advancement into an ostium of a fallopian tube;
- a shaft slidably disposed within the delivery lumen of the elongate body;
- and
- a resilient contraceptive device loadable within the delivery lumen of the distal end of the elongate body, the contraceptive device biased to anchor the contraceptive device within the fallopian tube upon release from the delivery lumen by retraction of the elongate body relative to the shaft;
- and
- fibers disposed along the contraceptive device, the fibers configured to assist in anchoring the contraceptive device within the fallopian tube.
An intrafallopian contraceptive method comprising;
- providing contraceptive delivery system comprising
- an elongate body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a delivery lumen, and
- a shaft slidably disposed within the delivery lumen of the elongate body, and
- a resilient contraceptive device loaded within the delivery lumen of the distal end of the elongate body, the contraceptive device biased to anchor the contraceptive device within a fallopian tube upon release from the delivery lumen, and
- fibers disposed along the contraceptive device, the fibers configured to assist in anchoring the coil within the fallopian tube;
- inserting the distal end of the elongate body within an ostium of the fallopian tube;
- and
- retracting the elongate body relative to the shaft, wherein such retraction releases the contraceptive device allowing anchoring of the contraceptive device within the fallopian tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.