Method and apparatus for tubal occlusion
First Claim
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1. A method of occluding the ovarian pathway of a female body, wherein the ovarian pathway is lined by an epithelium layer on the inner surface of the ovarian pathway, said method comprising the steps of:
- inserting a catheter having a detachable non-expandable plug releasably mounted to a distal end of the catheter through the vagina and cervical canal into the uterine tube of the female;
applying sufficient energy to the uterine tube, through the plug, to cause damage to the uterine tube; and
engaging a release mechanism capable of releasing the non-expandable plug from the distal end of the catheter.
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Abstract
A device for sterilizing females by occluding the uterotubal junction. The device includes a catheter with a releasable heat generating plug which is used to thermally damage the uterotubal junction and cause it to constrict around the plug, after which the plug is released from the catheter and left in place in the uterotubal junction.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. A method of occluding the ovarian pathway of a female body, wherein the ovarian pathway is lined by an epithelium layer on the inner surface of the ovarian pathway, said method comprising the steps of:
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inserting a catheter having a detachable non-expandable plug releasably mounted to a distal end of the catheter through the vagina and cervical canal into the uterine tube of the female; applying sufficient energy to the uterine tube, through the plug, to cause damage to the uterine tube; and engaging a release mechanism capable of releasing the non-expandable plug from the distal end of the catheter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of sterilizing a female, said method comprising the steps of:
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inserting a catheter having a detachable non-expandable plug releasably mounted to a distal end of the catheter through the vagina and cervical canal into the uterine tube of the female; applying sufficient energy to the uterotubal junction, through the plug, to cause damage to the uterotubal junction; and engaging a release mechanism capable of releasing the non-expandable plug from the distal end of the catheter. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A method of occluding the ovarian pathway of a female body, said method comprising the steps of:
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inserting a catheter including at least one releasable plug through the vagina and cervical canal and into the uterine tube of the female; maintaining the position of the catheter fixed relative to the uterine tube upon insertion; applying sufficient energy to the uterine tube to cause damage to the uterine tube; and engaging a release mechanism and releasing the plug from the catheter into a target location in the uterine tube while simultaneously maintaining the position of the catheter fixed relative to the uterine tube. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37)
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Specification