Methods and devices for occluding an ovarian pathway
View Patent ↗Methods and devices of sterilization by which the ovarian pathway is occluded by a plug, wherein placement of the plug may be visually confirmed. Other methods and devices are also described.
1. An occluding device for occluding a body lumen comprising:
a porous polymer plug;
a proximal expandable hoop within a proximal end portion of the plug; and
a distal expandable hoop within a distal end portion of the plug;
wherein the proximal and distal expandable hoops serve to spring the proximal and distal end portions open from a compressed state to an expanded state and provide a proximal and distal anchoring forces for the plug.
2. The occluding device of claim 1 , wherein a mid-section of the plug has a smaller cross-sectional profile than the proximal and distal end portions of the plug when in the expanded state.
3. The occluding device of claim 2 , wherein the proximal and distal hoops are constructed from a superelastic or shape memory material.
4. The occluding device of claim 3 , wherein the proximal and distal hoops are constructed from a metal alloy.
5. The occluding device of claim 3 , wherein the proximal and distal hoops are constructed from a polymer.
6. The occluding device of claim 2 , wherein the proximal and distal end portions are conically shaped.
7. The occluding device of claim 2 , wherein one of the proximal and distal expandable hoops is doped with radiopaque particles.
8. The occluding device of claim 1 , further comprising a tail element coupled with the porous polymer plug.
9. The occluding device of claim 8 , wherein the tail element is flexible.
10. The occluding device of claim 1 , wherein the porous polymer plug comprises silicone.
11. The occluding device of claim 1 , wherein the silicone is doped with radiopaque particles.
12. The occluding device of claim 1 , wherein the plug comprises gas bubbles trapped in a substance.