Transcervical fallopian tube occlusion devices and their delivery

Abstract

The invention provides intrafallopian devices and non-surgical methods for their placement to prevent conception. The efficacy of the device is enhanced by forming the structure at least in part from copper or a copper alloy. The device is anchored within the fallopian tube by imposing a secondary shape on a resilient structure, the secondary shape having a larger cross-section than the fallopian tube. The resilient structure is restrained in a straight configuration and transcervically inserted within the fallopian tube, where it is released. The resilient structure is then restrained by the walls of the fallopian tube, imposing anchoring forces as it tries to resume the secondary shape.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A contraceptive delivery system comprising: 
 an elongate body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a delivery lumen, the distal end configured for advancement into an ostium of a fallopian tube;    a shaft slidably disposed within the delivery lumen of the elongate body; and    a resilient contraceptive device loadable within the delivery lumen of the distal end of the elongate body, the contraceptive device biased to anchor the contraceptive device within the fallopian tube upon release from the delivery lumen by retraction of the elongate body relative to the shaft; and    fibers disposed along the contraceptive device, the fibers configured to assist in anchoring the contraceptive device within the fallopian tube.    
     
     
         2 . A system as in  claim 1 , wherein the contraceptive device comprises a coil having a proximal end and distal end and biased to form at least one bend therebetween, the at least one bend comprising at least one proximal anchor bend near the proximal end of the coil and at least one distal anchor bend near the distal end of the coil.  
     
     
         3 . A system as in  claim 2 , wherein the coil includes an isthmus-traversing region between the at least one proximal anchor bend and the at least one distal anchor bend, the length of the isthmus-traversing region sized to traverse an isthmus within the fallopian tube.  
     
     
         4 . A system as in  claim 3 , wherein the isthmus-traversing region includes a bend to assist in anchoring within the isthmus.  
     
     
         5 . A system as in  claim 1 , wherein the fibers comprise a polyester material.  
     
     
         6 . A system as in  claim 1 , wherein the fibers comprise copper.  
     
     
         7 . A system as in  claim 6 , wherein each fiber has a diameter of approximately 0.001 inches.  
     
     
         8 . A system as in  claim 1 , wherein the contraceptive device comprises beryllium, zinc, stainless steel, platinum, or a shape memory alloy.  
     
     
         9 . A system as in  claim 1 , wherein the shaft includes a core having a tapered distal end, the core configured to retain column strength during advancement of the elongate body into the ostium of the fallopian tube.  
     
     
         10 . A system as in  claim 9 , wherein the core comprises stainless steel or a stainless alloy.  
     
     
         11 . A system as in  claim 9 , wherein the shaft includes a pusher cap over the distal end of the core, the pusher cap including a distal contraceptive device interface surface configured to engage the contraceptive device to maintain position of the contraceptive device during retraction of the elongate body.  
     
     
         12 . A system as in  claim 11 , wherein the pusher cap comprises a low friction polymer.  
     
     
         13 . An intrafallopian contraceptive method comprising; 
 providing contraceptive delivery system comprising 
 an elongate body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a delivery lumen, and  
 a shaft slidably disposed within the delivery lumen of the elongate body, and  
 a resilient contraceptive device loaded within the delivery lumen of the distal end of the elongate body, the contraceptive device biased to anchor the contraceptive device within a fallopian tube upon release from the delivery lumen, and  
 fibers disposed along the contraceptive device, the fibers configured to assist in anchoring the coil within the fallopian tube;  
   inserting the distal end of the elongate body within an ostium of the fallopian tube; and    retracting the elongate body relative to the shaft, wherein such retraction releases the contraceptive device allowing anchoring of the contraceptive device within the fallopian tube.    
     
     
         14 . A method as in  claim 13 , wherein the contraceptive device comprises a coil including a proximal end and a distal end and biased to form at least one bend therebetween, the at least one bend comprising at least one proximal anchor bend near the proximal end of the coil and at least one distal anchor near the distal end of the coil, and wherein retracting includes releasing the at least one distal anchor bend at a first location within the fallopian tube and then releasing the at least one proximal anchor bend at a second location proximal to the first location.  
     
     
         15 . A method as in  claim 14 , wherein the first location includes an ampulla of the fallopian tube and the second location includes the ostium of the fallopian tube.  
     
     
         16 . A method as in  claim 15 , wherein the coil includes an isthmus-traversing region between the at least one proximal anchor bend and the at least one distal anchor bend, the isthmus-traversing region including a bend, and wherein retracting includes releasing the isthmus-traversing region within as isthmus between the ampulla and ostium so that the bend assists in anchoring within the isthmus.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising loading the resilient contraceptive device within the delivery lumen of the distal end of the elongate body.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising maintaining position of the shaft relative to the fallopian tube during retraction of the elongate body.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising removing the elongate body and shaft from the fallopian tube and leaving the contraceptive device anchored within the fallopian tube.