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...

A surgical device for obturating the fallopian tubes at the point of juncture with the walls of the uterus to effect temporary female sterilization. The device is positioned through the cervix using an endoscope and pneumatic insuflating means, and includes a removable plug member which permits normal ovulation.

The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus for artificially transporting an egg from an ovary to the uterus in a patient having dysfunctional natural fallopian tubes. A preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention includes an ovisac in which one of the patient's ovaries is encapsulated in order to collect any ova discharged. A plurality of fluid supply tubes serve to wash the ova toward a tubular member that is secured in communication with the uterine cavity. I...

A sterilization device (10) is provided having a flexible housing element (12) that is smaller in diameter than the diameter of the lumen of the isthmic portion of the fallopian tube, a heating element (14) carried by the housing element adjacent to its distal end, and an energy source (18) coupled to the heating element such that when the energy source is energized the temperature of the heating element will be increased. A procedure is described for inserting the sterilization device (10) thro...

The invention provides systems, methods for 14 treatment, and occlusion of the fallopian tube. An elongated catheter (22) is placed into the isthmic region (14) of the fallopian tube (16) in a trans-cervical trans-uterine fashion, and a mono-pole antenna (92) is disposed within a distal end of the catheter. The antenna radiates microwave energy in resonance to a drive frequency into tissue of the isthmic region without physical contact between the mono-pole antenna, and the tissue. This heating ...

A sterilization device (10) is provided having a flexible housing element (12) that is smaller in diameter than the diameter of the lumen of the isthmic portion of the fallopian tube, a heating element (14) carried by the housing element adjacent to its distal end, and an energy source (18) coupled to the heating element such that when the energy source is energized the temperature of the heating element will be increased. A procedure is described for inserting the sterilization device (10) thro...

A method of delivering a substance to a fallopian tube of a patient which includes obtaining transcervical access to a fallopian tube with an everting catheter. Access to the fallopian tube is obtained by everting an everting element of the everting catheter in the fallopian tube. A substance selected from the group consisting of biological material and cytotoxic agents is then delivered through the everting catheter to the fallopian tube to deposit the substance in the fallopian tube.

This invention relates to forceps for applying a clip to a Fallopian tube. The clip is in one piece and made of a somewhat flexible plastics material. It has two separable arms which are connected by a flexible strip: one of these arms has a catch recess in a free end thereof to face the strip, into which recess the end of one of said spring arms is pressable by elastic deformation. According to the invention the forceps have an outer shaft to receive the clip open in a distal cut-out with the s...

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 positi...

A laparoscopic surgical instrument to perform tubular ligation of the Fallopian tube includes a handle grip to be held by the surgeon. A finger grip is used to slide a body member on a rod fixed to the handle and to squeeze a staple onto the Fallopian tube. A forceps, operated by a button on the handle, pulls up the Fallopian tube and holds a segment of the tube, as a biopsy sample, after it has been severed.