Contraceptive devices and methods

Abstract

Contraceptive devices that provide substantially immediate and permanent sterilization are described herein. Systems and methods for transcervically delivering the contraceptive devices are also described herein. The contraceptive device may include an expandable implant. The implant includes hydrogel to provide substantially immediate sterilization, and tissue in-growth fibers to provide permanent sterilization. As an alternative or in combination to hydrogel, the implant may include copper or cupric ions to provide substantially immediate sterilization. The implant may also include hydrogel to improve trackability of the implant through an ovarian pathway.

1 . A system for delivering an occlusion device to a body lumen comprising:
 a catheter having a distal end and a proximal end;   an occlusion device releasably coupled with the catheter, the occlusion device comprising hydrogel; and   a hydrophilic material at a distal end of the catheter, wherein the distal end of the occlusion device extends beyond the distal end of the catheter while the hydrophilic material protects the hydrogel from swelling upon exposure of the distal end of the catheter to a physiological environment, and the hydrophilic material is pierceable by the occlusion device to deliver the occlusion device through the distal end of the catheter.   
     
     
         2 - 21 . (canceled)