Methods and devices for occluding an ovarian pathway

• US 8,726,905 B2
• Filed: 01/20/2012
• Issued: 05/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bayer Healthcare LLC (Bayer AG)
• Original Assignee: Bayer Essure Inc. (Bayer AG)
• Inventors: Swann, Betsy
• Primary Examiner(s): Bianco, Patricia
• Assistant Examiner(s): HAWTHORNE, OPHELIA ALTHEA
• Application Number:
  US13/355,148
• Publication Number:
  US 20120111337A1
• Time in Patent Office: 851 Days
• Field of Search: 128830-833, 128/884, 128/887, 424/430, 606191-193, 606197-198, 600 29- 31, 600/37, 623/1.12, 623/1.2, 623/1.18, 623/1.14, 623/1.15, 623/23.58, 623/23.72, 604/515
• US Class Current: 128/831
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3925 ultrasonic
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3966 Radiopaque markers visible in an X-ray image
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/481 involving the use of contrast agent, e.g. microbubbles introduced into the bloodstream analysis of echo signal exploiting properties of a contrast enhancer in devices for short-range imaging with acoustic waves G01S7/52039
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 6/20 Vas deferens occluders; Fallopian occluders
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 6/225 transcervical

Abstract

Methods and devices of sterilization by which the ovarian pathway is occluded by a plug, wherein placement of the plug may be visually confirmed. Other methods and devices are also described.

Claims

1. An occluding device for occluding a body lumen comprising:

a porous polymer plug;

a proximal expandable hoop within a proximal end portion of the plug; and

a distal expandable hoop within a distal end portion of the plug;

wherein the proximal and distal expandable hoops serve to spring the proximal and distal end portions open from a compressed state to an expanded state and provide a proximal and distal anchoring forces for the plug.

2. The occluding device of claim 1, wherein a mid-section of the plug has a smaller cross-sectional profile than the proximal and distal end portions of the plug when in the expanded state.

3. The occluding device of claim 2, wherein the proximal and distal hoops are constructed from a superelastic or shape memory material.

4. The occluding device of claim 3, wherein the proximal and distal hoops are constructed from a metal alloy.

5. The occluding device of claim 3, wherein the proximal and distal hoops are constructed from a polymer.

6. The occluding device of claim 2, wherein the proximal and distal end portions are conically shaped.

7. The occluding device of claim 2, wherein one of the proximal and distal expandable hoops is doped with radiopaque particles.

8. The occluding device of claim 1, further comprising a tail element coupled with the porous polymer plug.

9. The occluding device of claim 8, wherein the tail element is flexible.

10. The occluding device of claim 1, wherein the porous polymer plug comprises silicone.

11. The occluding device of claim 1, wherein the silicone is doped with radiopaque particles.

12. The occluding device of claim 1, wherein the plug comprises gas bubbles trapped in a substance.