Insertion/deployment catheter system for intrafallopian contraception
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A contraceptive method comprising:
- guiding a contraceptive device distally into an ostium of a fallopian tube using an exposed distal portion of the contraceptive device, while a sheath covers a proximal portion of the contraceptive device;
uncovering the proximal portion of the guided contraceptive device by withdrawing the sheath proximally from the proximal portion; and
releasing the uncovered contraceptive device so that the distal and proximal portions of the contraceptive device remain in the fallopian tube to inhibit conception.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Contraceptive methods, systems, and devices generally improve the ease, speed, and reliability with which a contraceptive device can be deployed transcervically into an ostium of a fallopian tube. A distal portion of the contraceptive device can function as a guidewire. The proximal portion may remain in a small profile configuration while a sheath is withdrawn proximally, and is thereafter expanded to a large profile configuration engaging the surrounding tissues.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A contraceptive method comprising:
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guiding a contraceptive device distally into an ostium of a fallopian tube using an exposed distal portion of the contraceptive device, while a sheath covers a proximal portion of the contraceptive device;
uncovering the proximal portion of the guided contraceptive device by withdrawing the sheath proximally from the proximal portion; and
releasing the uncovered contraceptive device so that the distal and proximal portions of the contraceptive device remain in the fallopian tube to inhibit conception. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A contraceptive method comprising:
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inserting a contraceptive device distally into an ostium of a fallopian tube;
uncovering a proximal portion of the inserted contraceptive device by withdrawing a sheath from around the proximal portion;
maintaining an expandable structure of the proximal portion in a small profile configuration during the uncovering step so as to avoid restricting movement of the sheath during the withdrawing step;
radially expanding the uncovered expandable structure to a large profile configuration so as to affix the contraceptive device within the ostium; and
releasing the uncovered contraceptive device so that the contraceptive device inhibits conception. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A contraceptive method comprising:
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guiding a contraceptive device distally into an ostium of a fallopian tube of a patient body with an exposed distal portion of the contraceptive device while a sheath supports a proximal portion of the contraceptive device, the contraceptive device comprising an elongate flexible structure;
uncovering the proximal portion of the inserted contraceptive device by withdrawing the sheath from around the proximal portion while maintaining an expandable structure of the proximal portion in a small profile configuration with a wind-down torque between first and second elongate bodies so as to avoid restricting movement of the sheath;
radially expanding the uncovered expandable structure to a large profile configuration so as to affix the contraceptive device within the ostium by actuating a proximal handle disposed outside the patient body, the proximal handle coupling proximal ends of the elongate bodies, so that the expandable portion unwinds and expands; and
releasing the uncovered contraceptive device so that the contraceptive device inhibits conception by rotating the first elongate body in a direction opposite the direction of the wind-down torque to decouple the first elongate body from the contraceptive device, and by removing a core support extending into an axial lumen of the contraceptive device.
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15. A contraceptive system comprising:
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a contraceptive device having a proximal portion adjacent a proximal end and a distal portion adjacent a distal end, the distal portion having a flexibility suitable to function as a guidewire;
a sheath releasably secured over the proximal portion of the contraceptive device so that the distal portion of the contraceptive device remains exposed when the contraceptive device and sheath are inserted transcervically into an ostium of the fallopian tube; and
a first elongate body extending from a proximal end distally into detachable engagement with the contraceptive device for deploying the inserted contraceptive device from the sheath. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A contraceptive system comprising:
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a contraceptive device having a proximal portion adjacent a proximal end and a distal portion adjacent a distal end, the distal portion having a flexibility suitable to function as a guidewire;
a sheath releasably secured over the proximal portion of the contraceptive device so that the distal portion of the contraceptive device remains exposed when the contraceptive device and sheath are inserted transcervically into an ostium of the fallopian tube, wherein the proximal portion comprises a radially expandable structure having a low profile configuration slidably disposable within the sheath and a large profile configuration for restraining the contraceptive device within the ostium of the fallopian tube; and
a first elongate body extending from a proximal end distally into detachable engagement with the contraceptive device for deploying the inserted contraceptive device from the sheath. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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Specification