Patent · US Expired

Intrauterine fallopian tube ostial plug and surgical process

US4834091A · kind A · utility

53Cited by
18References
9Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateApr 10, 1987
Grant dateMay 30, 1989
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 10, 2007

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B2017/4216
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

The present invention provides for an improved surgical technique of the type which uses a Nd:YAG laser to treat the uterus while the uterus is kept distended by the flow of saline into the uterine cavity. The improvement comprises the hysteroscopic insertion of a retrievable ostial plug into the tubal ostia of each fallopian tube so that the saline does not flow through the fallopian tubes during the period of time in which the laser is used to treat the uterus. At the conclusion of the laser treatment, the retrievable ostial plugs are hysteroscopically retrieved and withdrawn. The invention also provides for a specific retrievable ostial plug for use in the procedure. The plugs are specifically adapted for hysteroscopic insertion and withdrawal from the tubal ostia.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.