Contraceptive transcervical fallopian tube occlusion devices and their delivery
First Claim
1. A method for sterilizing a female patient using an elongated instrument assembly having a distal end, said method comprising:
- inserting the distal end of the elongated instrument assembly transcervically into the female patient, the distal end of the elongated instrument having a detachable body;
applying tissue damaging energy from the elongated instrument to a surrounding tissue of a fallopian tube of said female patient;
detaching the detachable body from the distal end of the elongated instrument assembly; and
removing a remaining portion of the elongated instrument assembly from the female patient, wherein a permanent scar formation in a region of the surrounding tissue permanently attaches to the detachable body.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
48 Claims
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1. A method for sterilizing a female patient using an elongated instrument assembly having a distal end, said method comprising:
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inserting the distal end of the elongated instrument assembly transcervically into the female patient, the distal end of the elongated instrument having a detachable body; applying tissue damaging energy from the elongated instrument to a surrounding tissue of a fallopian tube of said female patient; detaching the detachable body from the distal end of the elongated instrument assembly; and removing a remaining portion of the elongated instrument assembly from the female patient, wherein a permanent scar formation in a region of the surrounding tissue permanently attaches to the detachable body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method comprising:
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inserting a catheter having an electrically conductive surface assembly mounted on a distal end of the catheter through the vagina and the cervical canal of a patient and into the uterus of the patient; advancing a detachable assembly, which is coupled to the catheter, into a fallopian tube of the patient; applying electrical energy to the electrically conductive surface assembly; detaching the catheter from the detachable assembly, wherein a permanent scar formation in the fallopian tube permanently encapsulates the detachable assembly. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An intrafallopian delivery system for transcervical introduction of a device, the delivery system comprising:
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a first portion having an elongate body and a shaft for delivering tissue damaging energy; a second portion detachably coupled to said elongate body, said second portion being sized to fit within a fallopian tube and being detachable from said elongate body to remain permanently within said fallopian tube and wherein said tissue damaging energy causes a scar formation, in said fallopian tube, which permanently attaches to said second portion. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. An intrafallopian catheter system for transcervical introduction of an intrafallopian device, said catheter system comprising:
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an elongate body having a shaft for delivering electrical energy; a detachable body which is detachably coupled to said elongate body, said detachable body being sized to fit within a fallopian tube and being detachable from said elongate body to remain permanently within said fallopian tube and wherein said electrical energy causes a scar formation, in said fallopian tube, which permanently encapsulates said detachable body. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A method for sterilizing a female patient, said method comprising:
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delivering a body transcervically into the female patient; delivering energy to a surrounding tissue of a fallopian tube of said female patient; wherein a scar formation in a region of the surrounding tissue permanently attaches to the body. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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Specification