Methods and apparatus for occluding reproductive tracts to effect contraception
First Claim
1. A contraceptive system that effects occlusion of a reproductive tract comprising:
- an occluding device adapted to be installed within a reproductive tract lumen to occlude the reproductive tract lumen;
means for installing the occluding device within said reproductive tract lumen; and
a dye emitting body borne on an elongated flexible marker connected to the occluding device, wherein the elongated flexible marker trails proximally from the occluding device after the occluding device is installed within the reproductive tract lumen and the dye emitting body is adapted to emit a marking dye on contact with body tissue to form a mark on the body tissue adjacent said reproductive tract lumen to indicate installation of the occluding device within the reproductive tract lumen.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods of visibly marking a reproductive tract, e.g., at least one ostium of the Fallopian tubes accessed transvaginally and transcervically, to indicate delivery of an occlusion device into the corresponding at least one Fallopian tube to effect contraception are disclosed. Marking is effected by delivery of a dye that stains the ostium and/or extension of the marking member from the delivered occlusion device into view in the uterine cavity or ostium. A catheter (or catheters) preferably introduced through a hysteroscope that illuminates and provides visualization of the uterine cavity and the ostia of the Fallopian tubes is employed to insert each contracted, stent-like, occluding device into each Fallopian tube and to mechanically expand or release to self-expand the occluding device.
49 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A contraceptive system that effects occlusion of a reproductive tract comprising:
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an occluding device adapted to be installed within a reproductive tract lumen to occlude the reproductive tract lumen; means for installing the occluding device within said reproductive tract lumen; and a dye emitting body borne on an elongated flexible marker connected to the occluding device, wherein the elongated flexible marker trails proximally from the occluding device after the occluding device is installed within the reproductive tract lumen and the dye emitting body is adapted to emit a marking dye on contact with body tissue to form a mark on the body tissue adjacent said reproductive tract lumen to indicate installation of the occluding device within the reproductive tract lumen. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A contraceptive system that effects occlusion of a reproductive tract comprising:
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an occluding device adapted to be installed within a reproductive tract lumen to occlude the reproductive tract lumen; an elongated occluding device delivery catheter having a catheter shaft enclosing a shaft lumen and extending between a shaft proximal end and a shaft distal end, the shaft lumen terminating in a distal chamber at the shaft distal end, wherein the occluding device is disposed within the distal chamber; a push member within the catheter shaft to apply force against the occluding device and eject the occluding device distally out of the distal chamber; and a dye emitting body borne on the occluding device, the dye emitting body adapted to emit a marking dye on contact with body tissue to form a mark on the body tissue adjacent said reproductive tract lumen to indicate installation of the occluding device within the reproductive tract lumen. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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22. A contraceptive system that effects occlusion of a reproductive tract comprising:
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an occluding device adapted to be installed within a reproductive tract lumen to occlude the reproductive tract lumen; an elongated occluding device delivery catheter having a catheter shaft enclosing a shaft lumen and extending between a shaft proximal end and a shaft distal end, the shaft lumen terminating in a distal chamber at the shaft distal end, wherein the occluding device is disposed in the distal chamber; a push member within the catheter shaft to apply force against the occluding device and eject the occluding device distally out of the distal chamber; and a dye emitting composition borne on an elongated flexible marker connected to the occluding device, wherein the elongated flexible marker trails proximally from the occluding device after the occluding device is installed within the reproductive tract lumen and the dye emitting body is adapted to emit a marking dye on contact with body tissue to form a mark on the body tissue adjacent said reproductive tract lumen to indicate installation of the occluding device within the reproductive tract lumen. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A contraceptive system that effects occlusion of a reproductive tract comprising:
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an occluding device adapted to installed within a reproductive tract lumen to occlude the reproductive tract lumen, the occluding device comprising; a tubular member having a first end, a second end, a member lumen extending therein, and an open-walled structure; and a tissue growth supporting member disposed within at least a section of the member lumen that encourages or supports tissue growth to thereby chronically occlude the reproductive body lumen; means for installing the occluding device within said reproductive tract lumen; and a dye emitting body borne on the tissue growth supporting member, the dye emitting body adapted to emit a marking dye on contact with body tissue to form a mark on the body tissue adjacent said reproductive tract lumen to indicate installation of the occluding device within the reproductive tract lumen.
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Specification