Transuterine sterilization apparatus and method

• US 5,095,917 A
• Filed: 01/19/1990
• Issued: 03/17/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cytyc Corporation (Hologic Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Thierry G. Vancaillie
• Inventors: Vancaillie, Thierry G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rosenbaum, C. Fred
• Assistant Examiner(s): Maglione, Corrine
• Application Number:
  US07/447,882
• Time in Patent Office: 788 Days
• Field of Search: 604/11, 604/15, 604/49, 604/54-55, 606/40, 606/49, 606/50, 606/119, 606/135, 606/28, 128/788, 128/830-831, 128/833
• US Class Current: 128/831
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12022 Occluding by internal devices, e.g. balloons or releasable wires plugging an opening in the wall of an organ A61B17/0057; occluders for the cervical canal A61F6/146; vas deferens occluders A61F6/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12099 characterised by the location of the occluder
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1219 expandable in contact with liquids
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 6/225 transcervical
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0039 Devices retained in the uterus for a prolonged period, e.g. intrauterine devices for contraception

Abstract

A method and apparatus for sterilization of females using a transuterine technique. The method of the present invention provides an irreversible method of sterilization which involves destruction of the mucosa followed by insertion of a biodegradable plug. The mucosal destruction provokes an inflammatory reaction and the plug serves as a substrate to guide the healing process toward occlusion instead of recanalization.

Claims

1. An apparatus for causing sterilization of a female reproductive system, comprising:

vaginally insertable means for destroying a superficial layer of the uterotubal junction at a selected location; and

means for inserting a biodegradable plug at said point of destruction of said superficial layer of said uterotubal junction, said biodegradable plug being impregnated with means for promoting scar formation, said means for promoting said scar formation comprising tetracycline hydrochloride, said means for inserting being carried with said means for destroying said superficial layer of the uterotubal junction.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, said means for destroying said superficial layer of said uterotubal junction comprising a generally tubular apparatus having electrical conduction means on the outside thereof for connection to a high frequency generator.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, said means for providing electrical current comprising means for providing a bipolar coagulating current.

4. The system according to claim 3, said tubular apparatus containing multiple biodegradable plugs and means for urging said plugs from said container for implantation into said uterotubal junction.

5. A method for sterilization of a female reproductive system, comprising the steps of:

destroying a superficial layer of the uterotubal junction; and

inserting a biodegradable plug at said point of destruction of said superficial layer of said uterotubal junction, said biodegradable plug being impregnated with means for promoting scar formation, said means for promoting said scar formation comprising tetracycline hydrochloride.

6. The method according to claim 5, said means for destroying said superficial layer of said uterotubal junction comprising a generally tubular apparatus having electrical conduction means on the outside thereof for connection to a high frequency generator.

7. The method according to claim 6, said means for providing electrical current comprising means for providing a bipolar coagulating current.

8. The method according to claim 7, said tubular apparatus containing multiple biodegradable plugs and means for urging said plugs from said container for implantation into said uterotubal junction.