Method and apparatus for sterilization
First Claim
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1. A method for female sterilization comprising, for each fallopian tube:
- transcervically inserting and implanting a tubal occlusion device into the fallopian tube where the tubal occlusion device immediately occludes the fallopian tube;
transcervically positioning a radio frequency (RF) applicator including one or more bipolar electrodes at a tubal ostium of the fallopian tube such that the one or more bipolar electrodes are positioned proximally relative to the implanted tubal occlusion device; and
passing current through the RF applicator to destroy tissue to a known depth and to precipitate a healing response in surrounding tissue that over time scars, the scar tissue permanently occluding the fallopian tube;
wherein the tubal occlusion device remains in the fallopian tube after the RF applicator is removed from the respective fallopian tube and provides immediate and at least temporary sterilization before the scar tissue resulting from the application of current through the RF applicator is formed.
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Abstract
A medical device and procedure is described for sterilizing a female. A two-part procedure includes an immediate sterilization part and a permanent sterilization part. The immediate sterilization part provides immediate sterility that endures at least until the permanent effects of a tubal occlusion procedure provide permanent sterility.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method for female sterilization comprising, for each fallopian tube:
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transcervically inserting and implanting a tubal occlusion device into the fallopian tube where the tubal occlusion device immediately occludes the fallopian tube; transcervically positioning a radio frequency (RF) applicator including one or more bipolar electrodes at a tubal ostium of the fallopian tube such that the one or more bipolar electrodes are positioned proximally relative to the implanted tubal occlusion device; and passing current through the RF applicator to destroy tissue to a known depth and to precipitate a healing response in surrounding tissue that over time scars, the scar tissue permanently occluding the fallopian tube; wherein the tubal occlusion device remains in the fallopian tube after the RF applicator is removed from the respective fallopian tube and provides immediate and at least temporary sterilization before the scar tissue resulting from the application of current through the RF applicator is formed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for fallopian tubal occlusion, comprising:
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transcervically inserting and implanting a tubal occlusion device into a fallopian tube where the tubal occlusion device occludes the fallopian tube; transcervically positioning a radio frequency (RF) applicator including one or more bipolar electrodes at a tubal ostium of the fallopian tube such that the one or more bipolar electrodes are positioned proximally relative to the implanted tubal occlusion device; and passing current through the RF applicator to destroy tissue to a known depth and to precipitate a healing response in surrounding tissue that over time scars, the scar tissue permanently occluding the fallopian tube; wherein, the tubal occlusion device is inserted into the fallopian tube first and the RF applicator is inserted second and, upon removal of the RF applicator, the tubal occlusion device inserted into the fallopian tube remains in the fallopian tube and provides immediate and at least temporary tubal occlusion before the scar tissue resulting from the application of current through the RF applicator is formed. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for fallopian tubal occlusion, comprising:
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transcervically inserting a tubal occlusion device through a uterine cavity and implanting the device into a fallopian tube where the tubal occlusion device occludes the fallopian tube; transcervically inserting a substantially rigid, curved elongate member including a substantially cylindrically shaped electrode carrier positioned at a distal end with one or more bipolar electrodes formed thereon into the uterine cavity at a location proximal to the implanted tubal occlusion device such that the one or more bipolar electrodes are positioned proximally relative to the implanted tubal occlusion device; positioning the electrode carrier at a tubal ostium of the fallopian tube such that a distal end of the electrode carrier advances into the tubal ostium; and passing radio frequency energy through the one or more bipolar electrodes to the tubal ostium to destroy tissue to a known depth and to precipitate a healing response in surrounding tissue that over time scars and occludes the fallopian tube; wherein the tubal occlusion device remains in the fallopian tube after the elongate member is removed from the respective fallopian tube and provides immediate and at least temporary tubal occlusion before the scar tissue resulting from the application of current through the electrodes is formed. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification