Abstract: A fluid dispensing instrument having a dispenser operable to place a drug material into the uterine cavity of a female and an expandable balloon cooperating with balloon support structure operable to move the drug material from the uterine cavity into both canals of the Fallopian tubes of a female. The instrument has a housing carrying a piston and cylinder assembly. The balloon is attached to an elongated flexible tubular probe mounted on one end of the housing. The piston and cylinder assembly is operable to fully collapse the balloon prior to insertion through the cervical opening into the uterine cavity. After the balloon is inserted into the uterine cavity, an ampulla storing the drug material is loaded into the instrument. The piston and cylinder assembly is actuated to initially expand the balloon and move a plunger into the ampulla to dispense the drug material into the uterine cavity.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing instrument and method for placing a drug material into the canals of the Fallopian tubes of a female. The instrument has a housing carrying a piston and cylinder assembly. An elongated flexible tubular probe attached to the housing carries an expandable sleeve. The piston and cylinder assembly is operable to fully collapse the sleeve prior to insertion through the cervical opening into the uterine cavity. After the sleeve is inserted into the uterine cavity, an ampulla storing the drug material is loaded into the instrument. The piston and cylinder assembly is then actuated to initially partially expand the sleeve. Operation of the piston and cylinder assembly moves a plunger into the ampulla to dispense the drug material into the uterine cavity above the partly expanded balloon. The sleeve is then fully expanded to move the drug material from the uterine cavity into the canals of the Fallopian tubes.

Abstract: A dispensing instrument and method for simultaneously injecting fluids, as drug materials, into the canals of the Fallopian tubes of a female primate. The dispensing instrument has a body accommodating a container for storing the drug materials. An elongated member carrying an expandable balloon is mounted on the body. A sheath encloses the elongated member and balloon. The sheath is attached to a tubular needle which extends through the elongated member. A releasable lock holds both the sheath and needle in assembled relation with the body. A plunger moves the container into dispensing relation with the needle whereby the fluid in the container is carried via the needle into the uterine cavity. The fluid flows into the canals of the Fallopian tubes. The expandable member is subjected to fluid under pressure. The fluid is continuously monitored to maintain a continuous and uniform low pressure on the expanded balloon.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for placing a settable, fluid-like material in the uterine cavity and moving the material from the uterine cavity into the Fallopian tubes of a female. An elongated probe carries an expandable member, and a housing connected to the probe has a piston and cylinder structure and a container for storing the material. Material and expansion drive mechanisms are connected to an actuator selectively controlled by an operator. By operating the actuator or control means, the operator causes the material to be dispensed into the uterine cavity while at the same time sealing the cervical entrance to the cavity, and causing the expansion means to fully expand to conform to the shape of the uterine cavity and force the dispensed materials into the canals of the Fallopian tubes.

Abstract: A process is described whereby methyl cyanoacrylate (MCA) may be bacterially made sterile without the degradation of the product by partial or total polymerization and without the introduction of or creation of materials which are adverse to the use of the MCA in vivo in the human body. The process utilizes a filtration technique including a polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon) filter element.

Abstract: An intrauterine catheter attached to a fluid dispensing unit for injecting fluids, as drug materials, into the canal of the Fallopian tube. The catheter is an elongated tubular member having a pair of isolated tubes. A first of the tubes has an expandable balloon on its outer end for substantially completely filling a uterine cavity when expanded. The dispensing unit has a housing with chambers. Containers storing the drug material and fluid are located in the chambers. The containers are collapsible hollow bodies which are pierced by needles which carry the fluids to the tubular member. Plungers collapse the containers to drive the needles through the container walls whereby the fluid in the containers is discharged into the tubes of the catheter. A hand operated actuator is operable to sequentially dispense fluid from a first container into the first tube and then a second container into the other tube.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing instrument and method for placing a material in the uterine cavity and moving the material from the uterine cavity to the canals of the Fallopian tubes of a female. The instrument has an elongated probe carrying an expandable sleeve. A housing connected to the probe has a chamber for a container storing the material. A plunger is operable to move the container onto a needle and force the material through the probe and into the uterine cavity. In one form, an actuator is continuously moved into the housing to initially partially expand the sleeve member to displace part of the uterine cavity. Further movement of the actuator dispenses the material from the probe into the uterine cavity. Continued movement of the actuator fully expands the sleeve member to displace the entire uterine cavity and pump the material into the canals of the Fallopian tubes. After the sleeve member is contracted by releasing the fluid pressure applied thereto, the probe is removed from the uterine cavity.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing instrument and method for introducing a fluid, as drug materials, into the canals of the Fallopian tubes of a primate female. The dispensing instrument has a tubular probe carrying an expandable balloon assembly. A stop collar on the probe positions the balloon assembly in the uterine cavity. The balloon assembly has a sleeve member which is initially expanded to close the lower portion of the uterine cavity. The drug material is introduced through the probe into the upper portion of the uterine cavity above the expanded balloon assembly. The balloon assembly is then further expanded to force the drug material from the upper portion of the uterine cavity into the canals of the Fallopian tubes. The expanding balloon assembly divides the material and forces the drug material into both of the canals.