Reversible tubal contraceptive device
First Claim
1. A method for preventing passage of sperm through a reproductive structure of a patient, comprising:
- positioning a first elongate member within a first lumen of the reproductive structure, the first elongate member comprising a first helical frame and a central longitudinal axis, the first helical frame comprising (i) a distal portion and a proximal portion, (ii) a shape-memory material expandable from a compressed configuration to a deployed configuration such that when unrestrained, the distal portion comprises a plurality of windings whose diameters are successively smaller in a distal direction, and (iii) a withdrawal component coupled to a smallest winding of the plurality of windings, and wherein in the deployed configuration, the withdrawal component extends at least partially along the central longitudinal axis proximally beyond the proximal portion;
expanding the first helical frame within the first lumen;
expanding a first flow reducing member coupled to the distal portion of the first helical frame, such that the first flow reducing member impedes passage of sperm through the first lumen with the first flow reducing member; and
proximally retracting the withdrawal component to proximally invert the smallest winding through other windings of the plurality of windings such that the distal portion extends proximal to the proximal portion in an inverted configuration having a cross-sectional diameter smaller than a cross-sectional diameter of the proximal portion in the deployed configuration to permit removal of the first helical frame.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Described are apparatus and methods for preventing sperm passage through a reproductive structure of a patient, and also for subsequently reversing the preventative measure in order to restore fertility to the patient. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes an elongate member arranged to form a frame having a distal and proximal opening and configured to be positioned within a lumen of the reproductive structure. The apparatus may also have a flow reducing member coupled to the frame such that when the frame is positioned within the lumen, the flow reducing member substantially impedes, reduces, or totally obstructs passage of sperm through the lumen.
370 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method for preventing passage of sperm through a reproductive structure of a patient, comprising:
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positioning a first elongate member within a first lumen of the reproductive structure, the first elongate member comprising a first helical frame and a central longitudinal axis, the first helical frame comprising (i) a distal portion and a proximal portion, (ii) a shape-memory material expandable from a compressed configuration to a deployed configuration such that when unrestrained, the distal portion comprises a plurality of windings whose diameters are successively smaller in a distal direction, and (iii) a withdrawal component coupled to a smallest winding of the plurality of windings, and wherein in the deployed configuration, the withdrawal component extends at least partially along the central longitudinal axis proximally beyond the proximal portion; expanding the first helical frame within the first lumen; expanding a first flow reducing member coupled to the distal portion of the first helical frame, such that the first flow reducing member impedes passage of sperm through the first lumen with the first flow reducing member; and proximally retracting the withdrawal component to proximally invert the smallest winding through other windings of the plurality of windings such that the distal portion extends proximal to the proximal portion in an inverted configuration having a cross-sectional diameter smaller than a cross-sectional diameter of the proximal portion in the deployed configuration to permit removal of the first helical frame. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for preventing passage of sperm through a reproductive structure of a patient, comprising:
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positioning an elongate member within a lumen of the reproductive structure, the elongate member comprising a helical frame and a central longitudinal axis, the helical frame comprising (i) a distal portion and a proximal portion, (ii) a shape-memory material expandable from a compressed configuration to a deployed configuration such that when unrestrained, the distal portion comprises a plurality of windings having different diameters, the plurality of windings comprising a distalmost winding, and (iii) a withdrawal component being coupled to and intersecting a central section of the distalmost winding such that in the deployed configuration, the withdrawal component intersects the central longitudinal axis; expanding the helical frame within the lumen; expanding a flow reducing member coupled to the distal portion of the helical frame, such that the flow reducing member impedes passage of sperm through the lumen with the flow reducing member; and proximally retracting the withdrawal component to proximally invert the distalmost winding through other windings of the plurality of windings such that the distal portion extends proximal to the proximal portion in an inverted configuration having a cross-sectional diameter smaller than a cross-sectional diameter of the proximal portion in the deployed configuration to permit removal of the helical frame. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification