Method and apparatus for sterilization
US4103688A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 29, 1976 |
| Grant date | Aug 1, 1978 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 29, 1996 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B18/1402
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for sterilization wherein a flexible, non-resilient, filamentar electrode having an exposed cauterizing tip at one end thereof, and having a thin, dielectric, lubricous covering insulating the electrode up to the exposed tip, is inserted into a severed vas deferens. The electrode insertion is continued until the tip has been located a predetermined distance into the vas. This distance is less than the covering length so that the tip is contiguous with the inner vas walls but the remainder of the electrode is completely insulated therefrom. A second electrode is placed in electrical contact with the patient's body. A radio frequency (r.f.) energy source is applied to the other electrode end to cause r.f. energy flow from the tip to the inner vas wall. The tip is then withdrawn at a predetermined rate while applying r.f. energy to the electrode to thereby cauterize the inner walls which join together in permanent sperm-sealing relation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.