Method and apparatus for tubal occlusion
US6309384A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 1, 1999 |
| Grant date | Oct 30, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 1, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2018/162
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Methods and devices for occlusion of the fallopian tubes of a women. The method involves thermally damaging the lining of the utero-tubal junction with relatively low power, followed by placement of a reticulated foam plug. In one embodiment, vascularized tissue grows into the plug and prevents or discourages formation of scar tissue around the plug. Another embodiment with a relatively small foam pore size encourages formation of a vascularized capsule around the plug. The presence of this vascularized capsule limits the patient's foreign body response, so that the capsule does not constrict around the plug. Also presented is a catheter designed for wounding the epithelial layer of the utero-tubal junction, and a method of using the catheter to form a long yet shallow lesion in the utero-tubal junction.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.