WO1997012569A1 - Contraceptive device - Google Patents

Contraceptive device Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1997012569A1
WO1997012569A1 PCT/GB1996/002391 GB9602391W WO9712569A1 WO 1997012569 A1 WO1997012569 A1 WO 1997012569A1 GB 9602391 W GB9602391 W GB 9602391W WO 9712569 A1 WO9712569 A1 WO 9712569A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
driver
plug
head
assembly according
sleeve
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1996/002391
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Adam Laszlo Magos
Original Assignee
Adam Laszlo Magos
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Adam Laszlo Magos filed Critical Adam Laszlo Magos
Priority to GB9806364A priority Critical patent/GB2321016B/en
Priority to AU71371/96A priority patent/AU7137196A/en
Publication of WO1997012569A1 publication Critical patent/WO1997012569A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F6/00—Contraceptive devices; Pessaries; Applicators therefor
    • A61F6/20—Vas deferens occluders; Fallopian occluders
    • A61F6/22—Vas deferens occluders; Fallopian occluders implantable in tubes
    • A61F6/225—Vas deferens occluders; Fallopian occluders implantable in tubes transcervical

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a contraceptive device which can be used to occlude the fallopian tube for the purposes of sterilisation of a female.
  • the commonest method of contraception is sterilisation of the female.
  • Various methods are currently used, mostly involving division, excision or external occlusion of the fallopian tubes and laparotomy or laparoscopy.
  • Hysteroscopic/vaginal methods which avoid abdominal surgery have also been tried. These include the use of pre-formed plugs of various designs which can be inserted into the tubal ostium without any fixation, or are fixed in place by spines or a perforating claw, or because they swell after insertion (or a combination of these properties).
  • a technique based on the injection of a formed in situ silicone plug is currently undergoing testing.
  • the tubal ostia can also be coagulated using thermal energy using a thermal coagulator, electrodiathermy or laser, blindly or under hysteroscopic vision.
  • sclerosing chemicals can be injected into the fallopian tune or uterine cavity, again blindly or under hysteroscopic control.
  • sterilisation at laparotomy involves major surgical trauma, leaves a relatively large external scar, and requires a general anaesthetic.
  • Laparoscopic sterilisation can be performed under local anaesthesia (although is generally not), but still risks all the complications of laparoscopy, principally intra- abdominal trauma related to the blind insertion of needles and cannulae.
  • Neither approach to sterilisation is suitable for out-patient treatment.
  • Hysteroscopic/vaginal methods of tubal occlusion are suitable for out-patient treatment.
  • techniques utilising pre-formed plugs were abandoned because of a high failure rate resulting from dislodgement .
  • the formed in situ silicone plugs involve multiple applications in over 10% of patients to achieve bilateral insertion, and the inconvenience of a follow-up hysterosalpinogram X-ray to check for tubal occlusion.
  • the same investigation is required for methods involving thermal coagulation of the proximal fallopian tube, with the additional disadvantages of a high complication rate of the procedure itself and a high pregnancy rate; as a result these techniques have largely been abandoned.
  • the injection of irritant sclerosing agents has met with variable success, but once more several treatments may be required, a post-sterilisation hysterosalpingogram is necessary, and even if this shows bilateral tubal occlusion, tubal recanalisation can still occur.
  • a contraceptive device for occlusion of a fallopian tube of a female comprising a plug which is capable of occluding a fallopian tube and has an external thread thereon such that upon insertion of the plug into a fallopian tube and subsequent rotation therein, the plug grips the walls of the fallopian tube and resists removal from the tube without further rotation of the plug.
  • the thread is self-tapping.
  • the plug is elongate and has a pointed or rounded end for initial insertion into the tube.
  • the plug has a head on the opposite end to the pointed or rounded end which head has at least one formation such as a shoulder etc allowing torque to be applied to the plug by a driver.
  • the driver is preferably elongate.
  • the head is generally octagonal and a driver is preferably also provided having a generally octagonal socket to receive and engage the head so that torque applied to the driver is transferred to the plug.
  • a driver is preferably also provided having a generally octagonal socket to receive and engage the head so that torque applied to the driver is transferred to the plug.
  • head and driver socket can of course be used, eg slots or sockets in one and ridges or protrusions in the other.
  • the head may have an annular groove and the socket a circumferential ridge (or vice versa) which co-operate to lock the socket and head together.
  • the socket may comprise a clamp (eg it may have portions which are radially expansible or contractible) so as to receive the head in a tight fit.
  • Other locking means may be provided to lock the device to the driver.
  • the plug and driver may be at least partially enclosed within an outer sleeve for ease of manipulation of the plug and driver in the uterus.
  • the outer sleeve and driver can both be laterally flexible but preferably both are fairly resistant to longitudinal compression and tension.
  • the driver and plug can preferably move axially within the outer sleeve, and movement (eg axial movement) of the plug and driver relative to the outer sleeve can be a useful means of attaching and releasing the plug from the driver in the uterus .
  • Means may be provided in the outer sleeve to induce lateral bending of the outer sleeve (and of the driver therein) in response to manipulation of controls at the end of the sleeve remote from the plug. This allows manipulation of the sleeve, driver and plug in the uterus.
  • the sleeve, driver and plug can be passed through a channel in an operating hysteroscope or other such device.
  • the head may be provided with formations to assist gripping of the head with forceps etc.
  • the invention also provides a sterilisation assembly comprising a plug, driver and preferably an outer sleeve as hereinbefore defined.
  • Fig. 1 shows a side view of a contraceptive device, a sleeve and a driver, its insertion into the uterine cavity (1) and the final position of the screw-in devices in the proximal tubal ostia (15);
  • Fig. 2 shows a side view of the Fig. 1 device;
  • Fig. 3 shows an alternative device;
  • Fig. 4 shows a driver for use with the Fig. 1 device;
  • Fig. 5 shows an outer sleeve for use with the Fig. 1 device;
  • Fig. 6 shows the alternative system of the Fig. 3 device with outer sleeve and driver.
  • a contraceptive device 1 has a body 5 and a head 10.
  • the head 10 is attached to the body 5 at one end thereof, and at the other end, the body 5 has a rounded tip 5t.
  • a collar 11 surrounds the joint between the head 10 and body 5.
  • the body is externally threaded with a self tapping thread.
  • the head (as shown in view from A in Fig. 2) has a tapered octagonal shape. There is an aperture 10a through opposing flat sides of the octagonal head 10 to allow a handle or wire to be passed therethrough.
  • the device 1 is formed from rigid inert plastics material which preferably is radio opaque, or otherwise appears opaque on X-rays or ultrasound scanning.
  • the overall measurements of the device 1 might, for example, be 1.5cm x 3mm x 3mm approximately, but will be sized to fit within a fallopian tube of a female to be sterilized.
  • sizings may be modified from those given above.
  • FIG. 3 An alternative form of device 2 shown in Fig. 3 has a body 5, a collar 11, and a head 9.
  • the device 2 is similar to the device 1 and all reference numerals correspond, except that the head 9 is shaped as a four side pyramid as shown in the view from A in Fig. 3, and has an aperture 9a through which a handle or a wire may pass .
  • the head of the device 1 (and thus the body 5) is rotated by a driver 15 which comprises a hollow tube with an inner profiled surface to engage with the profile on the head 10 of the device 1.
  • the distal end 15d of the driver is slotted to allow divergence of the end 15d around the head 10 of the device 1 so that the device 1 is securely held within the divergent arms of the end 15d.
  • the driver 15 is formed of flexible plastics material and can bend laterally but is preferably resistant to torsional, compressive and tensioning forces. Exemplary measurements are 25cm by 2.8mm by 2.8mm (all measurements approximate) for a human female, although measurements may be altered for non-human subject.
  • An outer sheath 20 is also provided, comprising a hollow tube with thin walls resistant to torsional compressive and tensioning forces, but able to bend laterally.
  • the outer sheath 20 is dimensioned to fit over the driver 15 and has exemplary dimensions 20cm x 3mm x 3mm (measurements approximate) .
  • the outer sheath 20 can compress the arms 15d of the driver against the head 10 of the device 1, thereby locking the device in position in the driver. Sliding movement of the outer sheath 20 away from the end 15d allows divergence of the arms and release of the device 1.
  • All components are preferable resistant to sterilisation by any desired method, eg gamma radiation or antoclaving at 121°C for 20 minutes.
  • the device is located in the end 15d of the driver 15 and the outer sheath 20 is slid therealong so as to close the arms at the end 15d around the head 10 thereby holding the device 1 in place.
  • the assembly is then introduced into the uterine cavity, optionally using a hysteroscope fitted with a suitable operating channel. Under hysteoscopic vision, the distil tip of the device 1 is directed towards the tubal opening of the fallopian tubes, and the device is screwed into the proximo fallopian tube by clockwise rotation of the driver, which can be manipulated externally of the patient.
  • the driver can be released from the screw in device by withdrawing the outer sheath 20 thereby allowing the arms at the end 15 to diverge and releasing the device 1 from the driver 15.
  • the sheath 20 and driver 15 are thereafter removed from the uterus and the procedure can be repeated on the contralateral side.
  • the end 15d of the driver 15 can be located on the head 10 of the device 1, and the sheath 20 slid therealong to clamp the end 15d around the head 10.
  • the device 1 can thereafter be unscrewed anti-clockwise from the proxi of fallopian tube and removed from the uterine cavity.
  • hysteroscopic grasping forceps can be used to pull on the handle or wire at the end of the device 1 to dislodge it from the fallopian tube.

Abstract

A screw-in plug provides a contraceptive device. The plug is externally threaded so that upon insertion of the plug into a fallopian tube and rotation of the plug therein, the thread allows the plug to be securely fixed in place. An assembly for insertion and removal of the plug is also disclosed.

Description

CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICE
This invention relates to a contraceptive device which can be used to occlude the fallopian tube for the purposes of sterilisation of a female.
The commonest method of contraception is sterilisation of the female. Various methods are currently used, mostly involving division, excision or external occlusion of the fallopian tubes and laparotomy or laparoscopy.
Hysteroscopic/vaginal methods which avoid abdominal surgery have also been tried. These include the use of pre-formed plugs of various designs which can be inserted into the tubal ostium without any fixation, or are fixed in place by spines or a perforating claw, or because they swell after insertion (or a combination of these properties). A technique based on the injection of a formed in situ silicone plug is currently undergoing testing. The tubal ostia can also be coagulated using thermal energy using a thermal coagulator, electrodiathermy or laser, blindly or under hysteroscopic vision. Finally, sclerosing chemicals can be injected into the fallopian tune or uterine cavity, again blindly or under hysteroscopic control.
However, sterilisation at laparotomy involves major surgical trauma, leaves a relatively large external scar, and requires a general anaesthetic. Laparoscopic sterilisation can be performed under local anaesthesia (although is generally not), but still risks all the complications of laparoscopy, principally intra- abdominal trauma related to the blind insertion of needles and cannulae. Neither approach to sterilisation is suitable for out-patient treatment. Hysteroscopic/vaginal methods of tubal occlusion are suitable for out-patient treatment. However, techniques utilising pre-formed plugs were abandoned because of a high failure rate resulting from dislodgement . The formed in situ silicone plugs involve multiple applications in over 10% of patients to achieve bilateral insertion, and the inconvenience of a follow-up hysterosalpinogram X-ray to check for tubal occlusion. The same investigation is required for methods involving thermal coagulation of the proximal fallopian tube, with the additional disadvantages of a high complication rate of the procedure itself and a high pregnancy rate; as a result these techniques have largely been abandoned. The injection of irritant sclerosing agents has met with variable success, but once more several treatments may be required, a post-sterilisation hysterosalpingogram is necessary, and even if this shows bilateral tubal occlusion, tubal recanalisation can still occur.
According to the present invention there is provided a contraceptive device for occlusion of a fallopian tube of a female, the device comprising a plug which is capable of occluding a fallopian tube and has an external thread thereon such that upon insertion of the plug into a fallopian tube and subsequent rotation therein, the plug grips the walls of the fallopian tube and resists removal from the tube without further rotation of the plug.
Preferably the thread is self-tapping.
Preferably, the plug is elongate and has a pointed or rounded end for initial insertion into the tube.
Preferably, the plug has a head on the opposite end to the pointed or rounded end which head has at least one formation such as a shoulder etc allowing torque to be applied to the plug by a driver. The driver is preferably elongate.
Preferably, the head is generally octagonal and a driver is preferably also provided having a generally octagonal socket to receive and engage the head so that torque applied to the driver is transferred to the plug. However, other shapes of head and driver socket can of course be used, eg slots or sockets in one and ridges or protrusions in the other.
The head may have an annular groove and the socket a circumferential ridge (or vice versa) which co-operate to lock the socket and head together. Alternatively or additionally the socket may comprise a clamp (eg it may have portions which are radially expansible or contractible) so as to receive the head in a tight fit. Other locking means may be provided to lock the device to the driver.
The plug and driver may be at least partially enclosed within an outer sleeve for ease of manipulation of the plug and driver in the uterus. The outer sleeve and driver can both be laterally flexible but preferably both are fairly resistant to longitudinal compression and tension. The driver and plug can preferably move axially within the outer sleeve, and movement (eg axial movement) of the plug and driver relative to the outer sleeve can be a useful means of attaching and releasing the plug from the driver in the uterus .
Means may be provided in the outer sleeve to induce lateral bending of the outer sleeve (and of the driver therein) in response to manipulation of controls at the end of the sleeve remote from the plug. This allows manipulation of the sleeve, driver and plug in the uterus. Alternatively, or additionally, the sleeve, driver and plug can be passed through a channel in an operating hysteroscope or other such device.
The head may be provided with formations to assist gripping of the head with forceps etc.
The invention also provides a sterilisation assembly comprising a plug, driver and preferably an outer sleeve as hereinbefore defined.
While further modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope of this invention, the following is a description of one or more examples of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1 shows a side view of a contraceptive device, a sleeve and a driver, its insertion into the uterine cavity (1) and the final position of the screw-in devices in the proximal tubal ostia (15); Fig. 2 shows a side view of the Fig. 1 device; Fig. 3 shows an alternative device; Fig. 4 shows a driver for use with the Fig. 1 device; Fig. 5 shows an outer sleeve for use with the Fig. 1 device; and Fig. 6 shows the alternative system of the Fig. 3 device with outer sleeve and driver.
Referring now to the drawings, a contraceptive device 1 has a body 5 and a head 10. The head 10 is attached to the body 5 at one end thereof, and at the other end, the body 5 has a rounded tip 5t. A collar 11 surrounds the joint between the head 10 and body 5. The body is externally threaded with a self tapping thread.
The head (as shown in view from A in Fig. 2) has a tapered octagonal shape. There is an aperture 10a through opposing flat sides of the octagonal head 10 to allow a handle or wire to be passed therethrough.
The device 1 is formed from rigid inert plastics material which preferably is radio opaque, or otherwise appears opaque on X-rays or ultrasound scanning. The overall measurements of the device 1 might, for example, be 1.5cm x 3mm x 3mm approximately, but will be sized to fit within a fallopian tube of a female to be sterilized. Clearly, where the device is to be used with a non-human female then sizings may be modified from those given above.
An alternative form of device 2 shown in Fig. 3 has a body 5, a collar 11, and a head 9. The device 2 is similar to the device 1 and all reference numerals correspond, except that the head 9 is shaped as a four side pyramid as shown in the view from A in Fig. 3, and has an aperture 9a through which a handle or a wire may pass .
The head of the device 1 (and thus the body 5) is rotated by a driver 15 which comprises a hollow tube with an inner profiled surface to engage with the profile on the head 10 of the device 1. The distal end 15d of the driver is slotted to allow divergence of the end 15d around the head 10 of the device 1 so that the device 1 is securely held within the divergent arms of the end 15d. The driver 15 is formed of flexible plastics material and can bend laterally but is preferably resistant to torsional, compressive and tensioning forces. Exemplary measurements are 25cm by 2.8mm by 2.8mm (all measurements approximate) for a human female, although measurements may be altered for non-human subject.
An outer sheath 20 is also provided, comprising a hollow tube with thin walls resistant to torsional compressive and tensioning forces, but able to bend laterally. The outer sheath 20 is dimensioned to fit over the driver 15 and has exemplary dimensions 20cm x 3mm x 3mm (measurements approximate) . When the outer sheath 20 is slid over the driver 15 when the device 1 is held between the arms 15d of the driver 15, the outer sheath 20 can compress the arms 15d of the driver against the head 10 of the device 1, thereby locking the device in position in the driver. Sliding movement of the outer sheath 20 away from the end 15d allows divergence of the arms and release of the device 1.
All components are preferable resistant to sterilisation by any desired method, eg gamma radiation or antoclaving at 121°C for 20 minutes.
The device is located in the end 15d of the driver 15 and the outer sheath 20 is slid therealong so as to close the arms at the end 15d around the head 10 thereby holding the device 1 in place. The assembly is then introduced into the uterine cavity, optionally using a hysteroscope fitted with a suitable operating channel. Under hysteoscopic vision, the distil tip of the device 1 is directed towards the tubal opening of the fallopian tubes, and the device is screwed into the proximo fallopian tube by clockwise rotation of the driver, which can be manipulated externally of the patient. Once in place, the driver can be released from the screw in device by withdrawing the outer sheath 20 thereby allowing the arms at the end 15 to diverge and releasing the device 1 from the driver 15. The sheath 20 and driver 15 are thereafter removed from the uterus and the procedure can be repeated on the contralateral side.
For removal of the device 1 from the fallopian tubes, the end 15d of the driver 15 can be located on the head 10 of the device 1, and the sheath 20 slid therealong to clamp the end 15d around the head 10. The device 1 can thereafter be unscrewed anti-clockwise from the proxi of fallopian tube and removed from the uterine cavity.
In the event that the device 1 cannot be unscrewed using the driver 15, hysteroscopic grasping forceps can be used to pull on the handle or wire at the end of the device 1 to dislodge it from the fallopian tube.
The invention has the following advantages:
1. It is suitable for out-patient treatment without general anaesthesia (cf. sterilisation at laparotomy or laparoscopy); 2. It leaves no external scars (cf. sterilisation at laparotomy or laparoscopy) ; 3. There is minimal if any risk of intra-abdominal trauma (cf. sterilisation at laparotomy or laparoscopy) ; 4. The screw-in device is unlikely to dislodge spontaneously or to migrate (cf. earlier pre-formed plugs) ; 5. Bilateral tubal occlusion can be achieved at one application (cf. formed in situ silicone plugs, sclerosing agents); 6. Contraceptive effects is immediate (cf. formed in situ silicone plugs, sclerosing agents); 7. Follow-up hysterosalpinogram to check for tubal occlusion is not required (cf. formed in situ silicone plugs, thermal coagulation, sclerosing agents); 8. Thermal damage to surrounding tissues isobviated (cf. thermal coagulation techniques); 9. Tubal recanalisation cannot occur (cf. thermal coagulation, sclerosing agents); and 10. The techniques may prove to be easily reversible following removal of the screw-in device (cf. most other methods).
Modifications and improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A contraceptive device for occlusion of a fallopian tube of a female, the device comprising a plug which is capable of occluding a fallopian tube and has an external thread thereon such that upon insertion of the plug into a fallopian tube and subsequent rotation therein, the plug grips the walls of the fallopian tube and resists removal from the tube without further rotation of the plug.
2. A device according to Claim 1, wherein the thread is self-tapping.
3. A device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the plug is elongate and has a pointed or rounded end for initial insertion into the tube.
4. A device according to any preceding Claim , wherein the plug has a head with at least one formation to allow torque to be applied to the plug by a driver.
5. A device according to Claim 4, wherein the formation comprises one or more shoulders.
6. A device according to Claim 4 or Claim 5, wherein the head is generally polygonal.
7. A device according to any one of Claims 4 to 6, wherein the head has formations thereon to facilitate gripping of the head with forceps.
8. A sterilisation assembly comprising a device according to any one of Claims 4 to 7 and having a driver which is capable of engaging the head to transmit torque thereto.
9. An assembly according to Claim 8, wherein the driver is laterally flexible.
10. An assembly according to Claim 8 or Claim 9, wherein the driver is resistant to longitudinal compression and tension.
11. An assembly according to any of Claims 8, 9 and 10 wherein the driver and the head can be locked or clamped together during transmission of torque from the driver to the plug.
12. An assembly according to Claim 4, wherein the driver is elongate with the plug attached to one end thereof, and wherein the driver and the plug can be disengaged from one another in response to means operable from the other end of the driver.
13. An assembly according to any one of Claims 8 to 12 wherein a sleeve is disposed around at least a portion of the driver.
14. An assembly according to Claim 12, wherein the sleeve is axially movable along the driver.
15. An assembly according to Claim 13 or Claim 14, wherein the sleeve is laterally flexible.
16. An assembly according to any one of Claims 13 to 15, wherein the sleeve is resistant to longitudinal compression and tension.
17. An assembly according to any one of Claims 13 to 16, wherein the plug is releasable from engagement with the driver by axial movement of the sleeve relative to the plug and/or driver.
18. An assembly according to any one of Claims 13 to 17, wherein means are provided in the driver or the sleeve to induce lateral bending of the driver or sleeve or to release the plug from the driver in response to manipulation of controls located externally of a patient.
19. An assembly according to any one of Claims 8 to 18, wherein the driver is elongate and is attachable to the head at one end, and at the other end has means to allow transmission of torque to the driver.
PCT/GB1996/002391 1995-09-30 1996-09-27 Contraceptive device WO1997012569A1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9806364A GB2321016B (en) 1995-09-30 1996-09-27 Contraceptive device for occlusion of the fallopian tube
AU71371/96A AU7137196A (en) 1995-09-30 1996-09-27 Contraceptive device

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB9519982.4A GB9519982D0 (en) 1995-09-30 1995-09-30 Device
GB9519982.4 1995-09-30

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1997012569A1 true WO1997012569A1 (en) 1997-04-10

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1996/002391 WO1997012569A1 (en) 1995-09-30 1996-09-27 Contraceptive device

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU7137196A (en)
GB (2) GB9519982D0 (en)
WO (1) WO1997012569A1 (en)

Cited By (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6679266B2 (en) 1995-06-07 2004-01-20 Conceptus, Inc. Contraceptive transcervical fallopian tube occlusion devices and their delivery
WO2004098469A1 (en) 2003-05-10 2004-11-18 Femcare Limited Sterilisation device
EP1800633A1 (en) 2005-12-20 2007-06-27 Femcare Limited Sterilisation device
WO2008079803A2 (en) * 2006-12-21 2008-07-03 Cytyc Corporation Method and apparatus for sterilization
US7686020B2 (en) 1995-06-07 2010-03-30 Conceptus, Inc. Contraceptive transcervical fallopian tube occlusion devices and methods
US20110174312A1 (en) * 2008-10-15 2011-07-21 John Sanders Everingham Occlusive Plug
WO2013124612A1 (en) 2012-02-21 2013-08-29 Oi Medical Limited Occlusive plug
WO2013132209A2 (en) 2012-03-07 2013-09-12 Ol Medical Limited Medical applicator
GB2517962A (en) * 2013-09-06 2015-03-11 Ol Medical Ltd Medical applicator
US8998898B2 (en) 1996-04-12 2015-04-07 Cytyc Surgical Products Moisture transport system for contact electrocoagulation
US9034053B2 (en) 2004-02-25 2015-05-19 Femasys Inc. Methods and devices for conduit occlusion
US9220880B2 (en) 2004-02-25 2015-12-29 Femasys Inc. Methods and devices for delivery of compositions to conduits
US9238127B2 (en) 2004-02-25 2016-01-19 Femasys Inc. Methods and devices for delivering to conduit
US9402762B2 (en) 2004-02-25 2016-08-02 Femasys Inc. Methods and devices for conduit occlusion
US9554853B2 (en) 1998-05-08 2017-01-31 Hologic, Inc. Radio-frequency generator for powering an ablation device
US9554826B2 (en) 2008-10-03 2017-01-31 Femasys, Inc. Contrast agent injection system for sonographic imaging
US10070888B2 (en) 2008-10-03 2018-09-11 Femasys, Inc. Methods and devices for sonographic imaging
WO2022081489A1 (en) * 2020-10-13 2022-04-21 Eclipse Medical, Inc. Mechanical tubal occlusion contraceptive device

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GB2048685A (en) * 1979-05-03 1980-12-17 Wolf Gmbh Richard Surgical forceps for applying clips
EP0105669A1 (en) * 1982-09-30 1984-04-18 Beta Phase Inc. Method of contraception and apparatus for carrying out such method
GB2211095A (en) * 1987-10-19 1989-06-28 Anthony D Haeri Uterine screw-plug

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2409041A1 (en) * 1977-11-18 1979-06-15 Wolf Gmbh Richard FLEXIBLE PLIERS FOR CAPTURING AND POSITIONING TRUMP CLOSERS
GB2048685A (en) * 1979-05-03 1980-12-17 Wolf Gmbh Richard Surgical forceps for applying clips
EP0105669A1 (en) * 1982-09-30 1984-04-18 Beta Phase Inc. Method of contraception and apparatus for carrying out such method
GB2211095A (en) * 1987-10-19 1989-06-28 Anthony D Haeri Uterine screw-plug

Cited By (41)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8171936B2 (en) 1995-06-07 2012-05-08 Conceptus, Inc. Contraceptive transcervical fallopian tube occlusion devices and methods
US8066007B2 (en) 1995-06-07 2011-11-29 Conceptus, Inc. Contraceptive transcervical fallopian tube occlusion devices and their delivery
US8733361B2 (en) 1995-06-07 2014-05-27 Bayer Essure Inc. Occlusion devices and methods
US8356599B2 (en) 1995-06-07 2013-01-22 Conceptus, Inc. Occlusion devices and methods
US8327852B2 (en) 1995-06-07 2012-12-11 Conceptus, Inc. Occlusion devices and methods
US6679266B2 (en) 1995-06-07 2004-01-20 Conceptus, Inc. Contraceptive transcervical fallopian tube occlusion devices and their delivery
US7686020B2 (en) 1995-06-07 2010-03-30 Conceptus, Inc. Contraceptive transcervical fallopian tube occlusion devices and methods
US9095348B2 (en) 1996-04-12 2015-08-04 Cytyc Surgical Products Moisture transport system for contact electrocoagulation
US8998898B2 (en) 1996-04-12 2015-04-07 Cytyc Surgical Products Moisture transport system for contact electrocoagulation
US9247989B2 (en) 1996-04-12 2016-02-02 Cytyc Surgical Products Moisture transport system for contact electrocoagulation
US8613282B2 (en) 1997-09-24 2013-12-24 Conceptus, Inc. Occlusion devices and methods
US8733360B2 (en) 1997-09-24 2014-05-27 Bayer Essure Inc. Occlusion devices and methods
US9554853B2 (en) 1998-05-08 2017-01-31 Hologic, Inc. Radio-frequency generator for powering an ablation device
WO2004098469A1 (en) 2003-05-10 2004-11-18 Femcare Limited Sterilisation device
US9034053B2 (en) 2004-02-25 2015-05-19 Femasys Inc. Methods and devices for conduit occlusion
US10111687B2 (en) 2004-02-25 2018-10-30 Femasys, Inc. Methods and devices for conduit occlusion
US11779372B2 (en) 2004-02-25 2023-10-10 Femasys Inc. Methods and devices for conduit occlusion
US10292732B2 (en) 2004-02-25 2019-05-21 Femasys, Inc. Methods and devices for conduit occlusion
US9839444B2 (en) 2004-02-25 2017-12-12 Femasys Inc. Methods and devices for conduit occlusion
US9402762B2 (en) 2004-02-25 2016-08-02 Femasys Inc. Methods and devices for conduit occlusion
US9308023B2 (en) 2004-02-25 2016-04-12 Femasys Inc. Methods and devices for conduit occlusion
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GB9806364D0 (en) 1998-05-20
GB2321016A (en) 1998-07-15
GB2321016B (en) 1999-06-09
GB9519982D0 (en) 1995-12-06
AU7137196A (en) 1997-04-28

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