Contraceptive transcervical fallopian tube occlusion devices and methods

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates generally to contraception, and more particularly to intrafallopian contraceptive devices and nonsurgical methods for their delivery.

#Worldwide demand exists for safe, effective methods of both contraception and permanent sterilization. Although a variety of contraception and sterilization methods are available, all of the existing methods have limitations and disadvantages. Thus, the need for additional safe, low cost, reliable methods of contraception and permanent sterilization, both in developed and less developed countries, is widely recognized.

#FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a contraceptive intrafallopian device according to the present invention.

#FIG. 2 illustrates a primary coil used in the contraceptive intrafallopian device of FIG. 1.

#FIG. 3 illustrates a secondary coil which has been imposed on a primary coil as used in the contraceptive intrafallopian device of FIG. 1.

#The present invention encompasses a contraceptive intrafallopian device which can alternatively be used as both a permanent and a reversible means of contraception. The present contraceptive methods and devices minimize the danger of non-use which has limited the efficacy of prior art contraceptive techniques. Moreover, the location of the present devices within the fallopian tubes provides a reduced risk of the infectious complications, increased bleeding, and pelvic pain associated with intrauterine devices (IUDs). The location and the novel shape of the present intrafallopian device provides significant advantages over IUDs, which have been found to be susceptible to unplanned expulsion and removal due to excessive pain and bleeding. The present invention takes advantage of the increase in effectiveness associated with copper IUDs, providing a resilient structure including copper which may be transcervically positioned without the need for surgery.

#Although the present contraceptive method is included within a group of contraceptive techniques generally referred to as fallopian tube occlusion methods, the present invention does not necessarily rely solely on blocking the fallopian tube to prevent fertilization. Instead, contraception is apparently provided by disrupting of ovum transport, the process of fertilization, and/or cleavage of the ovum. While the effect that copper has on these processes is not fully understood, it does appear that copper intrafallopian devices offer potentially significant increases in effectiveness over intrafallopian devices formed of other materials. Contraception may alternatively be provided or enhanced by a spermicidal agent attached to the device. Optionally, the present invention further encompasses devices which promote the growth of tissue within the tube to induce tubal occlusion, further inhibiting conception. In some embodiments, polyester fibers such as Dacron®, Rayon®, or the like, are bonded to the surface of the coil using a polymeric adhesive. The polyester fibers promote increased tissue growth around the coil, thus further reducing the possibility of expulsion of the device from the fallopian tube.

#Conveniently, the present resilient structures are adapted to be releasably affixed over a corewire, the corewire restraining the resilient structure in a straight configuration. As the resilient structure has an outer diameter when in the straight configuration which is less than the inner diameter of the fallopian tube, the catheter containing the present intrafallopian device is easily transcervically introduced.