Abstract: A device for sterilizing females by occluding the uterotubal junction. The device includes a catheter with a releasable heat generating plug which is used to thermally damage the uterotubal junction and cause it to constrict around the plug, after which the plug is released from the catheter and left in place in the uterotubal junction.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for sterilizing a female mammal wherein a composition comprising a biocompatible polymer and a biocompatible solvent is delivered to the fallopian tube of the female mammal.

Abstract: A removable fallopian tube plug includes an elongated shaft member that has a diameter dimensioned for insertion into a human fallopian tube. The shaft has an imagable portion located at each of a distal end and a proximal end. A plurality of flexible fingerlike protrusions are affixed to at least a portion of the shaft, and are movable between a first position generally adjacent the shaft and a second position extending radially outward therefrom. The protrusions are biased to the second position and are adapted for closely engaging the fallopian tube when in the second position, and they are further arrayed radially and axially so as to form a barrier sufficient to prevent a passage of an ovum or a spermatozoa in an axial direction.

Abstract: This is a micro-vaso-occlusive device intended generally for occlusion of small arteries located distally in the vasculature. The device is made up of a binder, often radio-opaque, which may be short in length by comparison to the length of the included thrombogenic fibers. The fibers form the other portion of the device. At least one end of the device includes a solid but comparatively soft end typically made of a molten mass of the fibers. The micro device may have multiple binder sections. The fibers may be straight, looped, or tufted.

Abstract: A device for sterilizing females by occluding the uterotubal junction. The device includes a catheter with a releasable heat generating plug which is used to thermally damage the uterotubal junction and cause it to constrict around the plug, after which the plug is released from the catheter and left in place in the uterotubal junction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for human female sterilization. The apparatus includes an occlusive device configured from an elongate tubular member having a central lumen and a flange formed at the proximal end. The occlusive device is formed with a plurality of flexible ribs configured to provide a plurality of seals within the interstitial portion of a Fallopian tube. A valve member is preferably disposed within the lumen of the tubular member. The occlusive device may further include a plurality of copper rings disposed between the ribs of the tubular member, or ribs may be coated with a material containing copper. The method includes placing the occlusive device within a delivery catheter having a lumen and placing the distal end of the delivery catheter within the uterus. After the occlusive device and distal end of the delivery catheter are placed in the Fallopian tube, the occlusive device is removed from the delivery catheter and ejected into the Fallopian tube.

Abstract: A method and composition for effecting chemical necrosis of a tissue lining of a mammalian body cavity, particularly a uterine endometrium, by delivering a caustic tissue necrosing composition, e.g., a silver nitrate and dextran paste, to the tissue to be necrosed and allowing the paste to remain in contact with the target tissue for a period of time sufficient to chemically necrose substantially the entirety of the tissue lining, and then contacting the caustic composition with a deactivating agent, e.g., an aqueous sodium chloride solution, thereby rendering the caustic composition non-caustic, and then rinsing the cavity. Compositions and methods for delivering medicaments are also disclosed.

Abstract: An occlusion implant device for small body lumens consisting of a micromachined monocrystalline silicon disk which has inherently spring loaded integral helical wings which when released by the insertion device anchors the implant in position. The device may be used for contraception vasco-occlusion for treatment of aneurysms and with an aperture therethrough may also be utilized as a stent. Alternatively, a micro mold of silicon may be formed and a metal or plastic disk produced by injection molding.

Abstract: This is a micro-vaso-occlusive device intended generally for occlusion of small arteries located distally in the vasculature. The device is made up of a binder, often radio-opaque, which may be short in length by comparison to the length of the included thrombogenic fibers. The fibers form the other portion of the device. At least one end of the device includes a solid but comparatively soft end typically made of a molten mass of the fibers. The micro device may have multiple binder sections. The fibers may be straight, looped, or tufted.

Abstract: A punctum dilating and plug inserting instrument includes a cylindrical body with a first end being a plug inserting tip, and a second end being a punctum dilating tip. An elongated button is arranged longitudinally along the body. The button includes a fixed end and a slidable end; the fixed end being positioned between the slidable end and the plug inserting tip. The button also includes an outwardly bowing inner surface spaced from the body. A wire is slidably positioned longitudinally within the body. The wire includes an outer end protruding from the plug inserting tip, and an inner end attached to the slidable end of the button. A conventional punctum plug is attached to the outer end of the wire, and can be inserted into a punctum after the punctum is dilated by the dilating tip.

Abstract: The clip which is suitable for sexual sterilization or other medical use is constructed from a single plastic moulding with a silicone rubber lining. The clip has a front latch which comprises a pivotable section of the lower jaw which ensures positive latching of the clip.

Abstract: The intrauterine contraceptive device to be inserted in the uterus comprises a supporting stem (1) having two branches (4) disposed at the front end (3) thereof in the direction of insertion. Each of the branches bears at its free end a permanent closure member (7). The closure members are intended to seal the mouths of the Fallopian tubes into the uterus. Each closure member is made of a soft material and has a substantially spherical or tear-shaped form. Fixed to these closure members is a temporary holding and positioning rod (9) of flexible, resorbable material, e.g., of collagen or polyglycolic acid, in such a way that this holding and positioning rod, together with the supporting stem (1), forms the shape of a T, the positioning ends (10) of the holding and positioning rod (9) being farther apart than the permanent closure members (7). The intrauterine contraceptive device is suitable for use immediately after a pregnancy.

Abstract: A method of blocking channels in a mammal which channels normally carry a material from one point to another is carried out by injecting a heated flowable polymer into the channel and allowing the polymer to cool and solidify, thus creating a plug or channel occluder. The plug can be later removed physically in its solid form or removed gradually by softening and/or fluidizing it by heating and/or chemical means. The channel occluder is preferably comprised of a main chain or side-chain crystallizable polymer but may be comprised of other polymers provided the polymers are formulated to have certain characteristics. The polymers must be solid and/or non-flowable at body temperature or lower and flowable when heated slightly above body temperature, i.e., 10 centigrade degrees or less above body temperature. The polymer is capable of changing quickly from a flowable state to a non-flowable state by moving through only a few centigrade degrees of temperature and is a non-immunogenic, biocompatible material.

Abstract: An injection catheter including a catheter stem, a cathetertip, and a bundle of injection needles, wherein either the catheter tip is axially displaceable relative to the catheter shaft or the catheter tip is fixedly connected to the catheter stem and the bundle of injection needles is longitudinally displaceable relative to the catheter tip. The catheter tip may take various forms, as the injection needles within the catheter stem may take various forms and may be guided in various ways. An operating device is provided for effecting relative movements between the injection needles and the catheter tip, which operating device comprises two parts that are controllably displaceable relative to one another, thereby to cause the injection needles to be exposed or retracted. The operating device also includes inlets allowing medication to be applied through the injection needles.

Abstract: A surgical sterilization method utilizes an elongate operating instrument assembly having a distal end portion which is inserted into a patient's Fallopian tube. The instrument assembly is operated to destroy cells along an inner surface of the Fallopian tube essentially throughout a segment thereof, while maintaining an outer surface of the Fallopian tube intact. Upon operation of the instrument assembly to destroy cells along the inner surface of the Fallopian tube segment, the tube is collapsed along the treated segment, thereby adhering the inner surface of the Fallopian tube to itself to seal the tube.

Abstract: A tapered stent made of resilient material for interconnecting portions of a Fallopian tube after a resection procedure. The stent is tapered to conform to the tapered inner surface of the Fallopian tube and is provided with at least one suture on at least one end for use in inserting the stent within the Fallopian tube and to secure the stent in place.

Abstract: An arrangement including a suction pump, a pipette, an application tip and a plurality of ligating rings which are carried on the application tip. The application tip is disposed in cooperative relation with the pipette so that the ligating rings may be transferred from the adapter tip to the pipette while being gradually stretched. The pipette is disposed in an incision exposing the ovarian sack of a small mammalian creature, whereupon a suction or vacuum is generated by the pump to capture the ovarian sack, after which a ligating ring is slipped off of the pipette and contracts to ligate said captured sack. This enables resorption of the ligated ovarian sack into the creature and stabilization of hormonal activity as is desired for experimental purposes.

Abstract: A sexual sterilization clip comprises an upper and lower jaw of plastics material with capture means for capturing the fallopian tube or vas deferens the capture means being provided with a soft lining.

Abstract: A method is provided for sterilizing a female patient. The method includes inserting into the patient's uterus an elongated light transmitting conduit having a heat generating device on a distal end thereof. The heat generating device has a light transmitting aperture extending through a forward portion thereof. The heat generating device is maintained in fixed contact with an inner wall of the patient's uterus adjacent one of the patient's tubal ostia while transmitting light energy to the heat generating device to coagulate a substantial part of the interstitial portion of the patient's fallopian tube associated with the one of the patient's tubal ostia so that the fallopian tube is closed. A portion of the light energy transmitted through the conduit passes out through the aperture and through the tubal ostia into the fallopian tube to aid in coagulating the interstitial portion of the fallopian tube.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sterilization of females using a transuterine technique. The method of the present invention provides an irreversible method of sterilization which involves destruction of the mucosa followed by insertion of a biodegradable plug. The mucosal destruction provokes an inflammatory reaction and the plug serves as a substrate to guide the healing process toward occlusion instead of recanalization.

Abstract: A method of reversibly occluding a biological tube is provided as well as a related apparatus. The method includes providing an occluding member to be introduced into or around a biological tube thereby blocking flow through the tube. When it is desired to eliminate such blockage, shock wave lithotripsy or other energy is employed to fragment the occluding member and thus eliminate its blockage of the biological tube. The related occluding device comprises an occluding member having an inner core of a first rigid material encapsulated in an outer shell comprised of a flexible second material. The first will fragment when struck by shock waves. The device may be either a plug-type device or a C-shaped clamp. Alternatively, the device may be comprised of a single material which is introduced in flowable form into the tube by means of a catheter. The material then hardens to form a substantially rigid plug.

Abstract: An electrified intrauterine device (IUD) is provided which has an IUD body member fabricated from materials which are physiologically compatible with human tissue and fluids and physically proportioned to be placed and retained within the uterus of a female mammal. Spaced-apart electrically conductive electrodes are formed on the IUD body member from electrically conductive materials that are physiologically compatible with human tissue and fluids. Self-contained electric batteries are supported within the IUD body member that forms a sealed outer casing of biologically inert material compatible with human tissue and fluids. The batteries are capable of producing an electromotive force of known voltage and current rating and are of a size to be inserted and retained within the uterus of a female mammal.

Abstract: A multi-functional surgical device useful, for example, for male and female sterilization procedures. The device can be used for applying an elastic occluding ring onto an anatomical tubular structure, for cutting and cauterizing the cut ends of such a structure, for introducing a gas and/or anesthesia into the surgical field, for a biopsy procedure, for illuminating and viewing the surgical field, for applying a conventional clip to an anatomical tubular structure, and/or for applying a flexible and resilient ligature. An applicator device for applying a flexible and resilient ligature, plug or cap onto an anatomical tubular structure including tissue grasping forceps moved into and out of the distal end of a tubular member which has one or two anatomical tubular structure receiving slots. A flexible and resilient ligature, plug or cap having legs and a base having sufficient elastic memory to close the legs and occlude an anatomical tubular structure.

Abstract: A multi-functional surgical device useful, for example, for male and female sterilization procedures. The device can be used for applying an elastic occluding ring onto an anatomical tubular structure, for cutting and cauterizing the cut ends of such a structure, for introducing a gas and/or anesthesia into the surgical field, for a biopsy procedure, for illuminating and viewing the surgical field, for applying a conventional clip to an anatomical tubular structure, and/or for applying a flexible and resilient ligature. An applicator device for applying a flexible and resilient ligature, plug or cap onto an anatomical tubular structure including tissue grasping forceps moved into and out of the distal end of a tubular member which has one or two anatomical tubular structure receiving slots. A flexible and resilient ligature, plug or cap having legs and a base having sufficient elastic memory to close the legs and occlude an anatomical tubular structure.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing a plurality of ligating bands individually and sequentially. A support, attached to the distal end of an endoscope, carries the plurality of ligating bands at axially spaced positions along an exterior surface. The distal ends of each set of independent displacement filaments each ligating band releasably attach to the distal edge of the dispenser. Each filament loops around the corresponding ligating band and returns past the distal edge of the dispenser and through the endoscope to the proximal end thereof. When a physician pulls a set of filaments proximally, the loop in each filament advances the corresponding ligating band off the distal edge of the dispenser.