Patent · US Expired

Contraceptive transcervical fallopian tube occlusion devices and their delivery

US6176240A · kind A · utility

98Cited by
37References
38Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 7, 1995
Grant dateJan 23, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 7, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B2017/1205
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

The invention provides intrafallopian devices and non-surgical methods for their placement to prevent conception. The efficacy of the device is enhanced by forming the structure at least in part from copper or a copper alloy. The device is anchored within the fallopian tube by imposing a secondary shape on a resilient structure, the secondary shape having a larger cross-section than the fallopian tube. The resilient structure is restrained in a straight configuration and transcervically inserted within the fallopian tube, where it is released. The resilient structure is then restrained by the walls of the fallopian tube, imposing anchoring forces as it tries to resume the secondary shape.

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