Fallopian tube occlusion devices and methods

• US 7,647,930 B2
• Filed: 08/02/2007
• Issued: 01/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Promed, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Promed, Inc.
• Inventors: Ginn, Richard S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bianco; Patricia M
• Assistant Examiner(s): HICKS, VICTORIA J
• Application Number:
  US11/833,182
• Publication Number:
  US 20080066763A1
• Time in Patent Office: 901 Days
• Field of Search: 128/830, 128/831, 128/832, 128/836, 128/887, 606/153, 606/193, 606/197, 606/198, 606/199, 606/213, 606/215, 606/216, 623/1.11, 623/1.12, 600/32, 600/184, 604/15, 604/16, 604/17, 604/18, 604/164.03, 604/164.04, 604/164.12
• US Class Current: 128/831
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 6/225 transcervical

Abstract

Occlusion devices and methods for occluding fallopian tubes which take effect promptly after deployment. The occlusion device comprises an occluding element and a fixation element. In one embodiment, the occluding element is deployed within the fallopian tube and in another embodiment, the occluding element is external to the fallopian tube.

Claims

1. In a device for occluding a body lumen or passageway, the improvement comprising

a tubular member comprising a cap and a body, the body having an extended configuration when stressed and shorter configuration when unstressed, the body being provided with attachment members which are collapsed when the body is extended and expandable by unstressing the body, the cap having a lateral dimension larger than that of the body and adapted to substantially occlude said lumen, the body housing a plug and the cap having a through-hole, said unstressing being capable of shortening said body and moving said plug into said through-hole.

2. The device of claim 1 in combination with a delivery means comprising a grasper which engages said cap and a plunger which applies axial stress to said body through said through-hole.

3. In a device for occluding a fallopian tube, the improvement comprising

an elongate member comprising a cap and a body, the cap having a configuration capable of occluding a fallopian tube and the body housing a plug, the body having an extended configuration when stressed and a shorter configuration when unstressed, the body being provided with retractable, laterally extending attachment members which are collapsed when the body is extended and which expand when stress is removed from the body, the cap having a lateral dimension larger than that of the body and being adapted to substantially occlude a fallopian tube, the body housing a plug and the cap having a through-hole, the removal of stress being capable of shortening said body and causing said plug to move into said through-hole thereby sealing it.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein said body is tubular and a lumen in said body is coaxial with the through-hole in said cap.

5. A method for occluding a fallopian tube comprising the steps of

inserting into the lumen of a fallopian tube a stressed occlusion device comprising an elongate member having a cap and a tubular body, said cap having a lateral dimension larger than that of said body and configured to substantially occlude said lumen, said body being capable of being extended by applying stress, said body being provided with compressible attachment members adapted to expand laterally when the stress is removed from the body and having said attachment members in a compressed state, said body housing a plug and said cap having a through-hole,

deploying said stressed occlusion device in said lumen such that said cap substantially occludes said lumen, and

removing the stress from said body whereby the plug is moved into said through-hole and occludes it and the attachment means expand in a manner and engage the walls of said lumen.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein a stress on said body is applied axially.

7. A method for occluding a body lumen or passageway comprising the steps of:

inserting into a desired body lumen a stressed occlusion device comprising an elongate member having a cap and a tubular body, said cap having a lateral dimension larger than that of the body, said body being capable of being extended by applying stress, said body being provided with compressible attachment members adapted to expand laterally when the stress is removed and having said attachment members in a compressed state, said body also housing a plug and said cap having a hole;

deploying said stressed occlusion device in said lumen such that said cap substantially occludes said lumen, and

removing the stress from said body whereby the plug is moved into said through-hole and occludes it and the attachment members expand and engage the walls of said lumen.

8. In a device for occluding a fallopian tube, the improvement comprising

an elongate member having a proximal and distal end, comprising a cap in the region of its proximal end, and a tubular body, said cap having a larger lateral dimension than that of the body, said cap having a through-hole, a plug slidably housed in said body,

said body having a longitudinally extended configuration when stressed in a longitudinal direction and a shorter configuration when unstressed,

said body having expandable attachment members which are retracted when said body is stressed and which expand laterally when said body is unstressed,

said plug being adapted to slide into said through-hole when stress is removed from the body, thereby occluding said through-hole.