Patent US5979446A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5979446A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Removable fallopian tube plug and associated methods
Assignee: Synergyn Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1998-10-22
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Granted: 1999-11-09
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Expires: 2018-10-22
Abstract
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.
Inventors
- 👤 Randall A. Loy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 10:11
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F6/00; A61F6/20; A61F6/22; A61F6/225
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A removable fallopian tube plug comprising: an elongated shaft member having a diameter dimensioned for insertion into a human fallopian tube, the shaft comprising a core comprising a rigid, imagable rod and a coating layer enveloping the core comprising a polymeric material; and a plurality of flexible finger protrusions affixed to at least a portion of the shaft, the protrusions movable between a first position generally adjacent the shaft and a second position extending radially outward therefrom, the protrusions biased to the second position and adapted for closely engaging the fallopian tube, the protrusions 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.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
A removable fallopian tube plug comprising: an elongated shaft member having a diameter dimensioned for insertion into a human fallopian tube, the shaft comprising a core comprising a rigid, imagable rod and a coating layer enveloping the core comprising a polymeric material; and a plurality of flexible finger protrusions affixed to at least a portion of the shaft, the protrusions movable between a first position generally adjacent the shaft and a second position extending radially outward therefrom, the protrusions biased to the second position and adapted for closely engaging the fallopian tube, the protrusions 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.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The fallopian tube plug recited in claim 1, wherein the protrusions and the coating layer are co-formed from the polymeric material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The fallopian tube plug recited in claim 1, wherein the polymeric material is selected from a group consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene, nylon, and a compressible foam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The fallopian tube plug recited in claim 1, wherein the rod comprises a metal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The fallopian tube plug recited in claim 4, wherein the metal comprises stainless steel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
120 words
A removable fallopian tube plug comprising: an elongated shaft member having a diameter dimensioned for insertion into a human fallopian tube, the shaft comprising a generally rigid rod having an imagable material affixed at a distal end and at a proximal end; and a plurality of flexible finger protrusions affixed to at least a portion of the shaft, the protrusions movable between a first position generally adjacent the shaft and a second position extending radially outward therefrom, the protrusions biased to the second position and adapted for closely engaging the fallopian tube, the protrusions 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.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
120 words
A removable fallopian tube plug comprising: an elongated shaft member having a diameter dimensioned for insertion into a human fallopian tube, the shaft comprising a generally rigid rod having an imagable material affixed at a distal end and at a proximal end; and a plurality of flexible finger protrusions affixed to at least a portion of the shaft, the protrusions movable between a first position generally adjacent the shaft and a second position extending radially outward therefrom, the protrusions biased to the second position and adapted for closely engaging the fallopian tube, the protrusions 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.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The fallopian tube plug recited in claim 6, wherein the rod comprises a polymeric material and the imagable material comprises a metal embedded in the rod adjacent the distal end and adjacent the proximal end.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The fallopian tube plug recited in claim 7, wherein the protrusions and the rod are co-formed from the polymeric material.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
172 words
A method for blocking a fallopian tube comprising the steps of: grasping a fallopian tube plug at a proximal end, the plug comprising: an elongated shaft member having a diameter dimensioned for insertion into a human fallopian tube, the shaft having an imagable portion located at each of a distal end and the proximal end; and a plurality of flexible finger protrusions affixed to at least a portion of the shaft, the protrusions movable between a first position generally adjacent the shaft and a second position extending radially outward therefrom, the protrusions biased to the second position and adapted for closely engaging the fallopian tube, the protrusions 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; inserting the plug through the cervix and into the ostium, the protrusions moving toward the second position to closely engage the fallopian tube wall; releasing the plug proximal end; and permitting the plug to remain within the fallopian tube.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
172 words
A method for blocking a fallopian tube comprising the steps of: grasping a fallopian tube plug at a proximal end, the plug comprising: an elongated shaft member having a diameter dimensioned for insertion into a human fallopian tube, the shaft having an imagable portion located at each of a distal end and the proximal end; and a plurality of flexible finger protrusions affixed to at least a portion of the shaft, the protrusions movable between a first position generally adjacent the shaft and a second position extending radially outward therefrom, the protrusions biased to the second position and adapted for closely engaging the fallopian tube, the protrusions 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; inserting the plug through the cervix and into the ostium, the protrusions moving toward the second position to closely engage the fallopian tube wall; releasing the plug proximal end; and permitting the plug to remain within the fallopian tube.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
205 words
A method for blocking a fallopian tube comprising the steps of: determining a patency of a fallopian tube; wedging a catheter into a cornual angle of the fallopian tube; determining a patency of the fallopian tube with the catheter wedged therein; removing the catheter; grasping a fallopian tube plug at a proximal end, the plug comprising: an elongated shaft member having a diameter dimensioned for insertion into a human fallopian tube, the shaft having an imagable portion located at each of a distal end and the proximal end; and a plurality of flexible finger protrusions affixed to at least a portion of the shaft, the protrusions movable between a first position generally adjacent the shaft and a second position extending radially outward therefrom, the protrusions biased to the second position and adapted for closely engaging the fallopian tube, the protrusions 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; inserting the plug through the cervix and into the ostium, the protrusions moving toward the second position to closely engage the fallopian tube wall; releasing the plug proximal end; and permitting the plug to remain within the fallopian tube.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
205 words
A method for blocking a fallopian tube comprising the steps of: determining a patency of a fallopian tube; wedging a catheter into a cornual angle of the fallopian tube; determining a patency of the fallopian tube with the catheter wedged therein; removing the catheter; grasping a fallopian tube plug at a proximal end, the plug comprising: an elongated shaft member having a diameter dimensioned for insertion into a human fallopian tube, the shaft having an imagable portion located at each of a distal end and the proximal end; and a plurality of flexible finger protrusions affixed to at least a portion of the shaft, the protrusions movable between a first position generally adjacent the shaft and a second position extending radially outward therefrom, the protrusions biased to the second position and adapted for closely engaging the fallopian tube, the protrusions 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; inserting the plug through the cervix and into the ostium, the protrusions moving toward the second position to closely engage the fallopian tube wall; releasing the plug proximal end; and permitting the plug to remain within the fallopian tube.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method recited in claim 10, wherein the patency determining steps each comprise performing a hysterosalpingogram.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method recited in claim 10, further comprising the step, following the step of permitting the plug to remain within the fallopian tube, of redetermining fallopian tube patency.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method recited in claim 10, further comprising repeating the steps thereof for a contralateral fallopian tube.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-11-08 | 2003-05-10 | 2003-11-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-11-08 | 2007-05-10 | 2007-11-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-11-08 | 2011-05-10 | 2011-11-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |