NON-MIGRATING REVERSIBLE MAKE STERILIZATION COUPLER

• US 3,828,764 A
• Filed: 01/22/1973
• Issued: 08/13/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Len M. Jones
• Original Assignee: Len M. Jones
• Inventors: Jones, Len M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Truluck, Dalton L.
• Application Number:
  US05/325,233
• Time in Patent Office: 568 Days
• Field of Search: 128/1R,334R,343,348,349R,35R,35V
• US Class Current: 128/843
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 6/24 characterised by valve means

Abstract

A coupler and method for connecting the severed ends of a vas deferens having particular application and use in performing reversible male sterilization which generally includes an elongated tubular member having the ends thereof dimensioned for insertion into the ends of the vas to be connected. The tubular member also has at least one annular flange intermediate its ends, and with said flange being susceptible to the passage of a micro-surgical needle through selected portions thereof and accommodate suturing and tissue growth therethrough, whereby one or both of the ends of the v may be sutured to said annular flange to prevent migration of the coupler in the vas. In certain embodiments, the periphery of the tubular member may be provided with two spaced annular flanges such that one end of the severed vas may be sutured to one of said flanges, and the other end of the severed vas sutured to the other flange. In certain instances, the tubular member may be provided with a transverse wall blocking the passageway therethrough, so as to prevent fluid flow through the vas. This particular embodiment of the coupler has application in performing a reversible male sterilization such that subsequently the transverse wall may be surgically removed to restore fertility.

Claims

1. A non-migrating micro-surgical vas deferens coupler comprising, in combination;

a section of micro-surgical body compatible plastic tubing conformable to the vas deferens and dimensioned for insertion into the ends of a severed vas deferens said section of micro-surgical tubing having its ends open and susceptible to the passage of seminal fluid therethrough at least one radial flange on the mid-portion of said section of micro-surgical tubing said radial flange being susceptible to the passage therethrough of a micro-surgical needle and in a direction which is generally parallel to the axis of said section of microsurgical tubing said radial flange being of such character as to accommodate suturing and tissue growth of the tissue of the previously separated ends of the vas deferens both together and through the aforementioned needle hole whereby the vas deferens may be sutured to said radial flange and held proximately together to promote tissue growth in the manner aforesaid while preventing the migration of said coupler in said vas deferens.

2. The combination of claim 1, together with a blocking member within said section of micro-surgical tubing for blocking the passage of body fluids therethrough said blocking member being capable of surgical removal to thereby permit fluid flow through said coupler when such is desired.