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 comprising an expandable tubular member having an open-walled lattice structure, the occluding device adapted to be installed within a reproductive tract lumen to occlude the reproductive tract lumen;
means for installing the occluding device within the reproductive tract lumen; and
an elongated slack suture comprising an attached end and a terminal end, the elongated slack suture connected to the open-walled lattice structure at the attached end, wherein the elongated slack suture trails limply from the attached end inside the reproductive tract lumen to the terminal end outside the reproductive tract lumen after the occluding device is installed within the reproductive tract lumen.
2 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.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A contraceptive system that effects occlusion of a reproductive tract comprising:
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an occluding device comprising an expandable tubular member having an open-walled lattice structure, the occluding device adapted to be installed within a reproductive tract lumen to occlude the reproductive tract lumen; means for installing the occluding device within the reproductive tract lumen; and an elongated slack suture comprising an attached end and a terminal end, the elongated slack suture connected to the open-walled lattice structure at the attached end, wherein the elongated slack suture trails limply from the attached end inside the reproductive tract lumen to the terminal end outside the reproductive tract lumen after the occluding device is installed within the reproductive tract lumen. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A contraceptive system that effects occlusion of a reproductive tract comprising:
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an occluding device comprising an expandable tubular member having an open-walled lattice structure, the 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 to eject the occluding device distally out of the distal chamber; and an elongated slack suture comprising an attached end and a terminal end, the elongated slack suture connected to the open-walled lattice structure at the attached end, wherein the elongated slack suture trails limply from the attached end inside the reproductive tract lumen to the terminal end outside the reproductive tract lumen after the occluding device is installed within the reproductive tract lumen. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification