Devices and methods for occluding a fallopian tube

Abstract

Devices and method for occluding a fallopian tube. The devices, in one embodiment, may include a plurality of expandable occluding members coupled by respective dissolvable connecting members.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A medical device for occluding a fallopian tube, the medical device comprising:
 a center member having an axis;   a plurality of fibers coupled with the center member; and   a plurality of occlusion members along the center member, each occlusion member being axially separated from the plurality of fibers and each other.   
     
     
         2 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fibers are carried on the center member. 
     
     
         3 . The medical device of  claim 2 , wherein the center member comprises a shape-memory material. 
     
     
         4 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fibers are integral with the center member. 
     
     
         5 . The medical device of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of fibers are integral with a distal end of the center member, and wherein the distal end of the center member tapers along the axis. 
     
     
         6 . The medical device of  claim 5 , wherein the distal end forms a radiopaque mass visible under fluoroscopy to determine a location of a medical device within a fallopian tube. 
     
     
         7 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein each occlusion member comprises an unexpanded state and an expanded state, and wherein each occlusion member includes an outer diameter radially expandable from the unexpanded state to the expanded state. 
     
     
         8 . The medical device of  claim 7 , wherein each occlusion member is independently expandable from the unexpanded state to the expanded state. 
     
     
         9 . The medical device of  claim 8 , wherein each occlusion member comprises a hydrogel. 
     
     
         10 . The medical device of  claim 9 , wherein the each occlusion member is tubular and includes an inner diameter around the center member. 
     
     
         11 . The medical device of  claim 10 , wherein the center member floats within the plurality of occlusion members when the occlusion members are in the expanded state. 
     
     
         12 . The medical device of  claim 11 , wherein the outer diameter of each occlusion member in the unexpanded state is less than or equal to an outer diameter of the plurality of fibers, and wherein the outer diameter in the expanded state is greater than the outer diameter of the plurality of fibers. 
     
     
         13 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of occlusion members are axially separated by a gap. 
     
     
         14 . The medical device of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of fibers are in the gap between the plurality of occlusion members. 
     
     
         15 . The medical device of  claim 1 , further comprising a delivery device having an elongated tubular member, wherein the center member, the plurality of fibers, and the plurality of occlusion members are enclosed by the elongated tubular member. 
     
     
         16 . The medical device of  claim 15 , wherein the delivery device is configured to push the center member, the plurality of fibers, and the plurality of occlusion members from the elongated tubular member into a fallopian tube. 
     
     
         17 . The medical device of  claim 16 , wherein the elongated tubular member includes a tapered distal tip. 
     
     
         18 . The medical device of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of occlusion members independently transition from an unexpanded state inside the elongated tubular member to an expanded state outside the elongated tubular member within the fallopian tube.