Patents Assigned to Conceptus, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20140276915
    Abstract: Occlusion devices and delivery systems are described in which a polymerizing oil is used to protect a hydrogel from premature swelling. In an embodiment, a delivery system includes an occlusion device releasably coupled within a catheter sheath. The occlusion device includes an expandable implant and a hydrogel. An at least partially oxidized polymerizing oil is inside a lumen of the catheter sheath between the distal end of the catheter sheath and the hydrogel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: CONCEPTUS, INC.
    Inventor: Christopher A. Stout
  • Publication number: 20140257034
    Abstract: The various embodiments of the present invention provide delivery systems and methods of using the delivery systems. The delivery systems facilitate stabilization of a handle assembly against an endoscope during deployment of an occlusion device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: CONCEPTUS, INC.
    Inventor: Christopher A. Stout
  • Publication number: 20140228821
    Abstract: A catheter in one embodiment includes an expandable implant and a delivery sheath having a lumen in which the expandable implant is disposed when the implant is being delivered. The delivery sheath includes a region having a plurality of openings designed to give a flexibility profile to the delivery sheath while allowing the implant to slide within the lumen, the outer surface of the implant being at least partially in contact with the openings during delivery of the implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: Conceptus Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Stout, Julian Cruzada
  • Patent number: 8613282
    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 copper alloy. The device is anchored within the fallopian tube by a lumen-traversing region of the resilient structure which has helical outer surface, together with a portion of the resilient structure which is biased to form a bent secondary shape, 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. Optionally, permanent sterilization is effected by passing a current through there resilisent structure to the tubal walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Conceptus, Inc.
    Inventors: Julian N. Nikolchev, Dai T. Ton, Ashish Khera, Donnell W. Gurskis, Steven Bacich
  • Publication number: 20130310683
    Abstract: Devices and method for occluding a fallopian tube. The devices, in one embodiment, may include a plurality of expandable occluding members coupled by respective dissolvable connecting members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Conceptus, Inc.
    Inventor: Conceptus, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8585616
    Abstract: Devices and methods for determining fallopian tube occlusion. The methods may include determining fallopian tube occlusions through a pressurization or volumetric determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Conceptus, Inc.
    Inventor: Betsy Swann
  • Patent number: 8584679
    Abstract: Contraceptive methods, systems, and devices generally improve the ease, speed, and reliability with which a contraceptive device can be deployed transcervically into an ostium of a fallopian tube. The contraceptive device may remain in a small profile configuration while a sheath is withdrawn proximally, and is thereafter expanded to a large profile configuration engaging the surrounding tissues, by manipulating one or more actuators of a proximal handle with a single hand. This leaves the other hand free to manipulate a hysteroscope, minimizing the number of health care professional required to deploy the contraceptive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Conceptus, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian Lowe, Don Gurskis, Ashish Khera, Monica Barnhart, Steven Bacich, Betsy Swann, Roberto Silva-Torres
  • Patent number: 8562628
    Abstract: A delivery system for deploying an occlusion device comprises a piston having a threaded proximal end, an elongated delivery catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and an inner lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends of the delivery catheter, and a drive mechanism comprising an internally threaded nut member and a spring member. The piston is moveable between a first axial position and a second axial position. The internally threaded nut member receives the threaded proximal end of the piston. The spring member, which is coupled to the internally threaded nut member, rotates the nut member to drive the piston from the first axial position toward the nut member to the second axial position. Driving the piston toward the nut member retracts the attached delivery catheter and deploys an occlusion device from within the inner lumen and through the distal end of the delivery catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Conceptus, Inc.
    Inventors: James Ryan Mujwid, Kevin R. Arnal
  • Patent number: 8550085
    Abstract: Systems and methods of visibly marking a reproductive tract, e.g., at least one ostium of the Fallopian tubes accessed transvaginally and transcervically, to indicate delivery of an occlusion device into the corresponding at least one Fallopian tube to effect contraception are disclosed. Marking is effected by delivery of a dye that stains the ostium and/or extension of the marking member from the delivered occlusion device into view in the uterine cavity or ostium. A catheter (or catheters) preferably introduced through a hysteroscope that illuminates and provides visualization of the uterine cavity and the ostia of the Fallopian tubes is employed to insert each contracted, stent-like, occluding device into each Fallopian tube and to mechanically expand or release to self-expand the occluding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Conceptus, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Callister, William S. Tremulis
  • Patent number: 8551001
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention describe methods of determining the occlusion of body lumens and apparatuses for doing so. In one particular embodiment, the occlusion of the fallopian tubes by an intrafallopian contraceptive device may be confirmed by contrast enhanced ultrasonography (also known as stimulated acoustic emission hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography). In these embodiments a contrast agent containing microbubbles is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Conceptus, Inc.
    Inventors: Viviane Connor, Edward Sinclair, Betsy Swann
  • Publication number: 20130220336
    Abstract: Contraceptive devices that provide substantially immediate and permanent sterilization are described herein. Systems and methods for transcervically delivering the contraceptive devices are also described herein. The contraceptive device may include an expandable implant. The implant includes hydrogel to provide substantially immediate sterilization, and tissue in-growth fibers to provide permanent sterilization. As an alternative or in combination to hydrogel, the implant may include copper or cupric ions to provide substantially immediate sterilization. The implant may also include hydrogel to improve trackability of the implant through an ovarian pathway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: Conceptus, Inc.
    Inventor: Conceptus, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130186409
    Abstract: Contraceptive and/or sterilization methods and devices are disclosed which may improve the speed of tubal occlusion and mechanisms for anchoring for a contraceptive device. In accordance with some embodiments, improvements may be made to the delivery catheter to induce trauma and create faster tubal occlusion, improvements may be made to the occlusion device to prevent migration and induce trauma, and improvements may be made to the occlusion device to reduce the total volume of in-growth required compared to conventional expansive occlusion devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: CONCEPTUS, INC.
    Inventor: CONCEPTUS, INC.
  • Publication number: 20130139827
    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 copper alloy. The device is anchored within the fallopian tube by a lumen-traversing region of the resilient structure which has helical outer surface, together with a portion of the resilient structure which is biased to form a bent secondary shape, 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. Optionally, permanent sterilization is effected by passing a current through the resilient structure to the tubal walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: Conceptus, Inc.
    Inventor: Conceptus, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130139826
    Abstract: The various embodiments of the present inventions provide stabilization devices and methods for use of the stabilization devices with minimally invasive gynecological procedures such as methods of preventing pregnancy by inserting intrafallopian contraceptive devices into the fallopian tubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: CONCEPTUS, INC.
    Inventor: CONCEPTUS, INC.
  • Publication number: 20130133666
    Abstract: The various embodiments of the present inventions provide stabilization devices and methods for use of the stabilization devices with minimally invasive gynecological procedures such as methods of preventing pregnancy by inserting intrafallopian contraceptive devices into the fallopian tubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: Conceptus, Inc.
    Inventor: Conceptus, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130125899
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for delivering a contraceptive device to an ovarian pathway. The contraceptive device is within an enclosure in a first position. In a second position, the contraceptive device is positioned at the ovarian pathway, by actuating a first actuator. The contraceptive device is then expanded and released from the delivery system by actuating a second actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: CONCEPTUS, INC.
    Inventor: Conceptus, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130125021
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for an all-in-one tablet application is described herein. In one embodiment, an application presents marketing data on a visual display of the computing system viewable to a user. The application retrieves stored information from a remote Customer Relationship Management (CRM) server for processing by the computing system. The application presents a visual representation on the visual display of the computing system to allow a user to update or edit CRM content. The application provides an email interface to allow the user to send an email to a customer visited by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: Conceptus Inc.
    Inventor: Conceptus Inc.
  • Patent number: 8434489
    Abstract: Contraceptive devices that provide substantially immediate and permanent sterilization are described herein. Systems and methods for transcervically delivering the contraceptive devices are also described herein. The contraceptive device may include an expandable implant. The implant includes hydrogel to provide substantially immediate sterilization, and tissue in-growth fibers to provide permanent sterilization. As an alternative or in combination to hydrogel, the implant may include copper or cupric ions to provide substantially immediate sterilization. The implant may also include hydrogel to improve trackability of the implant through an ovarian pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Conceptus, Inc.
    Inventors: Vidya Gopal, Christopher Stout, Betsy Swann
  • Patent number: 8434490
    Abstract: Devices and method for occluding a fallopian tube. The devices, in one embodiment, may include a plurality of expandable occluding members coupled by respective dissolvable connecting members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Conceptus, Inc.
    Inventors: Betsy Swann, Christopher A. Stout, Julian Cruzada, Vidya Gopal, Charlotte Hermanto
  • Patent number: 8381733
    Abstract: Contraceptive methods, systems, and devices generally improve the ease, speed, and reliability with which a contraceptive device can be deployed transcervically into an ostium of a fallopian tube. The contraceptive device may remain in a small profile configuration while a sheath is withdrawn proximally, and is thereafter expanded to a large profile configuration engaging the surrounding tissues, by manipulating one or more actuators of a proximal handle with a single hand. This leaves the other hand free to manipulate a hysteroscope, minimizing the number of health care professional required to deploy the contraceptive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Conceptus, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian Lowe, Don Gurskis, Ashish Khera, Monica Barnhart, Steven Bacich, Betsy Swann, Roberto Silva-Torres