U.S. patent number 3,687,129 [Application Number 05/077,434] was granted by the patent office on 1972-08-29 for contraceptive device and method of employing same.
Invention is credited to Elie S. Nuwayser.
United States Patent |
3,687,129 |
Nuwayser |
August 29, 1972 |
CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICE AND METHOD OF EMPLOYING SAME
Abstract
A male contraceptive device which comprises a plug having a
coating of fabric on its outer walls. The plug is inserted in the
vas deferens. The fabric coating allows for the ingrowth of cells
from the wall of the vas deferens into the fabric. This provides
for complete occlusion of the vas deferens to prevent passage of
the sperm therethrough.
Inventors: |
Nuwayser; Elie S. (Peabody,
MA) |
Family
ID: |
22138021 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/077,434 |
Filed: |
October 2, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
128/843; 128/831;
128/887; 606/191; 606/200 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F
6/22 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61F
6/00 (20060101); A61F 6/22 (20060101); A61b
019/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;128/1R,127,33R,334R,348,274 ;3/1 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Other References
Ghidoni et al. Surgery Jan. 1969 Vol. 65, No. 1 pp. 70-77 .
McDonald et al. Trans. Amer. Soc. Artif. Inter. Organs Vol. XIV
1968-pp. 176-180.
|
Primary Examiner: Truluck; Dalton L.
Claims
Having described my invention, what I now claim is:
1. A device for the reversible occlusion of a body cavity, such as
a vas deferens or fallopian tube, which device comprises:
a. a plug-like structure adapted to be inserted into a body cavity
to provide occlusion of the cavity, the structure characterized by
an outer surface;
b. a fabric means disposed on and secured to at least a portion of
the outer surface of the plug-like structure to provide for
fixation of tissues to the fabric means through the growth of cells
therein; and
c. all or a part of the device composed of a material adapted to be
dissolved by enzymes while in the body cavity within a
predetermined period of time, thereby permitting removal of the
occlusion of the body cavity by the device.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein the plug-like structure is
composed of a material adapted to be dissolved by the tissue
enzymes.
3. The device of claim 1 wherein the fabric means is composed of a
material adapted to be dissolved by the tissue enzymes.
4. The device of claim 1 wherein the device is composed of a
material adapted to be dissolved by the introduction of a
dissolving agent.
5. The device of claim 1 wherein the plug is generally
cylindrically shaped and composed of solid polymeric material.
6. The device of claim 1 wherein the plug comprises a hollow
tube-like structure, and wherein said plug is sealed at either end
thereof.
7. The device of claim 1 wherein the plug comprises a hollow
tube-like structure, and includes a removable pin disposed therein
and adapted to seal said plug.
8. The device of claim 7 wherein the pin is composed of a material
adapted to be dissolved by the action of enzymes within a
predetermined period of time.
9. The device of claim 1 wherein the device is composed of a
material comprising catgut, collagen, gelatin, starch, cellulose
and cross-linked polysaccharides dissolvable by enzymes.
10. The device of claim 1 wherein the fabric means comprises a
flock material.
11. The device of claim 1 wherein the plug-like structure comprises
a silicone rubber, and the fabric means comprises a polyester or
nylon material.
12. A contraceptive device for the reversible occlusion of a vas
deferens, which device comprises:
a. a hollow tube-like structure adapted to be inserted into the
lumen of the vas deferens to provide occlusion of the sperm through
the lumen, the tube-like structure characterized by an outer and
inner surface;
b. a fabric means disposed on and secured to at least a portion of
the outer surface to provide for fixation of the tissues from the
inner wall of the lumen to the fabric means through the growth of
cells therein;
c. a removable pin disposed within the tube-like structure and
adapted to seal said structure; and
d. all or part of the device composed of a material adapted to be
dissolved within a predetermined period of time, thereby permitting
removal of the occlusion caused by the device in the vasal
lumen.
13. A method for sterilization which comprises:
a. inserting a plug-like structure having a fabric-like material
covering a portion of the outer surface of the plug-like structure
into the vasal lumen to provide occlusion to the passage of sperm
through the lumen, the plug-like structure composed at least in
part of a material adapted to be dissolved within a predetermined
period of time, while in the vasal lumen;
b. allowing the growth of cells into the fabric-like material to
secure the plug-like structure in the vasal lumen and to preclude
the passage of sperm between the outer surface of the plug and the
inner wall of the lumen; and
c. dissolving all or part of the dissolvable material through the
use of enzymes so as to provide a passageway for the sperm through
the vasal lumen after a predetermined period of time.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the material adapted to be
dissolved comprises catgut, collagen, gelatin, starch, cellulose
and cross-linked polysaccharides.
15. The method of claim 13 wherein the material to be dissolved is
dissolved through action of the tissue enzymes.
16. The method of claim 13 wherein the dissolvable material is
dissolved by adding a dissolving agent into the vasal lumen.
17. The method of claim 13 wherein the dissolvable material is
composed of cellulose, and wherein the dissolving agent is an
enzyme which dissolves the cellulose.
18. The method of claim 13 wherein the plug-like structure is a
hollow tube-like structure which includes a removable pin disposed
therein and adapted to seal said tube-like structure, and which
method includes the step of providing a pin material made of a
dissolvable material, and dissolving the pin after a predetermined
period of time.
19. A device for the reversible occlusion of the vas deferens,
which device comprises:
a. a hollow tube-like structure characterized by having an outer
surface, the structure adapted to be inserted into the vasal lumen
of the vas deferens;
b. means sealing either end of the tube-like structure prior to
insertion in the vasal lumen, which means can be removed at a later
period of time to permit the passage of sperm through the interior
of the tube-like structure without removal of the structure from
the lumen; and
c. a fabric means disposed and secured to at least a portion of the
outer surface of the tube-like structure to provide for fixation of
tissue to the fabric means through the growth of cells therein,
thereby preventing the passage of sperm between the outer surface
and the inner wall of the vasal lumen.
20. The device of claim 19 wherein the sealing means of the
tube-like structure includes a removable pin disposed within the
tube-like structure and adapted to seal said structure.
21. The device of claim 19 wherein the fabric means disposed on the
outer surface comprises a flock material.
22. The device of claim 19 wherein the fabric means comprises a
polyester or nylon material and the tube-like structure comprises a
silicone rubber.
23. The device of claim 19 wherein the tube-like structure is a
hollow tube-like structure characterized by an inner wall, and
wherein the fabric means is also disposed on and secured to at
least a portion of the inner wall.
24. The device of claim 19 wherein the tube-like structure contains
therein a material which influences the rate of tissue growth.
25. The device of claim 19 wherein the tube-like structure contains
therein a material which is spermicidal.
26. A reversible method of male sterilization, which method
comprises:
a. inserting a hollow tube-like structure having a fabric-like
material covering a portion of the outer surface into the vasal
lumen, the tube-like structure sealed at either end thereof;
b. allowing the growth of tissue into the fabric to fix the sealed
tube-like structure in the vasal lumen and to occlude the passage
of the sperm through the vasal lumen; and
c. removing the seal from the tube-like structure when occlusion of
the passage of sperm is no longer desired, thereby permitting sperm
to pass again through the interior of the tube-like structure and
through the vasal lumen.
27. The method of claim 26 wherein the tube-like structure is
sealed by inserting a removable pin in the tube-like structure, and
wherein the seal is removed by removing said pin.
28. The method of claim 26 which includes covering a portion of the
inner surface of the hollow tube-like structure with a fabric-like
material, and after removal of the seal of the tube-like structure,
permitting the growth of cells into said fabric material on the
inner surface.
29. The method of claim 26 which includes reopening the vasal lumen
by cutting across the sealed tube-like structure at both ends in
order to open a channel for the passage of spermatozoa.
30. A contraceptive device for occlusion of a vas deferens which
comprises:
a. a plug-like structure adapted to be inserted into the vasal
lumen to provide occlusion of the sperm through the vasal
lumen;
b. the plug-like structure characterized by an outer surface, which
surface is adapted to engage the inner wall of the vasal lumen;
and
c. fabric means disposed on and secured to at least a portion of
the outer surface to provide for fixation of tissue to said fabric
means through the growth of cells from the walls of the vasal lumen
into the fabric so that passage of sperm between the outer surface
of the plug-like structure and the inner wall of the vasal lumen is
prevented by such tissue growth.
31. The device of claim 30 wherein the plug is generally
cylindrically shaped and composed of solid polymeric material, and
wherein the fabric means is composed of a polymeric material
compatible with the body tissues.
32. The device of claim 30 wherein the plug is composed of silicone
resin and the fabric means is composed of nylon or polyester
material.
33. The device of claim 30 wherein the fabric means comprises a
flock material.
34. A method of male sterilization which comprises:
a. inserting a plug-like structure into the vasal lumen, the
plug-like structure characterized by an outer surface having a
fabric material thereon; and
b. allowing the growth of tissue from the inner wall of the vasal
lumen into the fabric material to occlude the passage of sperm
between the outer wall of the plug-like structure and the inner
wall of the vasal lumen.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many approaches are currently in use for the prevention of
conception. These have been very aptly summarized in the report on
Population/Family Planning, issued by the Population Control and
International Institute for the Study of Human Reproduction.
Briefly, the methods are: coitus interruptus, postcoital douche,
prolonged lactation, condum, vaginal diaphragm, spermacides, rhythm
method, oral contraceptives, intrauterine devices, and surgical
sterilization. During the past decade, interest in family planning
and birth control has intensified as the result of the rapid rise
in world population and increased use of its natural resources. It
is now believed that only through population control and management
of resources can the ratio of resources to man be kept within an
acceptable level. The sterilization of the male has received
increased attention as a method for family planning. However,
vasectomy is primarily an irreversible method of sterilization and
accordingly is performed on a permanent basis. Although it is a
simple surgical procedure, vasectomy has not become popular since
it is difficult to ensure that fecundity can be restored if
desired.
Attempts have been made, primarily in animals, to achieve
reversible male sterilization by vas occlusion using various
techniques, such as insertion of a piece of plastic material,
electrocoagulation, chemical cauterization, nonoperative
vasoligature and placement of nonreactive suture material. Of
these, the last named application has proved to be the most
satisfactory.
Although the passage of sperm may be blocked by placing various
sizes of surgical nylon thread or surgical silk thread into the vas
deferens as an intravasal thread and the luminal patency of the vas
could be restored by removing the thread, this method is not
entirely satisfactory. The surgical thread in a small portion of
the experiments conducted revealed that the vas dilated probably
because of the increased intravasal pressure caused by continued
deposition of sperm due to imbalance between the spermatogenesis
and spermatolysis in the testis.
To avoid the vasal dilatation around the intravasal thread and to
enhance the restoration of patency of the vasal lumen, certain
steps were taken to overcome these drawbacks. The insertion of the
intravasal, which in effect blocked passage of the sperm, inhibited
the passage of the sperm in a majority of cases. However, the
dilation caused by the occlusion allowed the sperm to flow through
the outer portion of the intravasal thread and the inner wall of
the vas. Also, in some cases tissue reaction was noted.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
My invention is directed to a vas occlusive plug for use as a male
contraceptive device. As stated above, currently plugs are being
made with a smooth surface, such as the intravasal thread. When
they are implanted in the vas deferens, they may not react with the
tissue; however, they do not permit growth of the tissue. Since
their wall is very smooth and since the sperm is very small, it can
travel between the wall of the plug and the intimal wall of the
vas. In my invention, the plug is coated with a material which will
permit the ingrowth of tissue therein, thereby preventing a
slippage of the sperm at the material tissue junction. The plug is
coated with a very fine layer or fabric, such as nonwoven nylon
fabric and/or flocking the surface with a fine layer of nylon or
polyester or other type of flock. In this way, the plug may be
implanted in the vas deferens, the tissue will grow into the fabric
coating thereby fixing the plug in place.
In a preferred embodiment, the head of the plug rather than the
entire outer wall is characterized by having bonded thereto a very
fine layer of flock or fabric. In addition to the flock, the head
may be made by attaching to the device fabric structures which are
useful for the ingrowth of tissue, such as woven, non-woven,
knitted, etc., fabric structures.
In the selection of the plug material, the primary consideration is
the choice of an appropriate material which is compatible with the
tissue of the host vessel. For example, organic materials, such as
polymeric materials which would include silicones, fluorinated
polymers, cellulose and its derivatives, polyesters, polyolefins,
vinyls, polyamides, etc., may be used. Inorganic materials and
metallic materials, such as stainless steel, etc., also may be
used. The plug may be of any structure, either solid or hollow,
cylindrical, oval, elliptical, etc. The advantage of using a hollow
plug is that it may be saturated or filled with hormones or other
drugs which may influence the rate of tissue ingrowth or may be
spermicidal or may have some other physiological action.
A further advantage of using a hollow plug for the main body of the
device is that it would facilitate the reversibility of the device
if at a future date it is decided to allow the sperm to pass
through the vas and therefore establish fertility. By having a
hollow plug for the main body, the passage initially sealed could
be reopened such as by cutting across the plug at both ends in
order to open up a channel for the passage of spermatozoa, or by
removing a pin from the passage. This would greatly facilitate the
surgical procedure and reduce the traumatic effect at the site of
implantation.
Accordingly, my device overcomes some of the difficulties of vas
occlusion by providing a plug which would eliminate clotting and
infection, and provides for fixation of the device in reference to
the vas deferens.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a plug having a fabric
coating on a portion thereof;
FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the device inserted in the
vas deferens;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the flock attached to the
device;
FIGS. 4a and b are schematic illustrations of an alternative
embodiment of the device; and
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the hollow plug having a fabric
coating on the outer wall and a fabric lattice on the inner
wall.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 shows in schematic form a device 10 which is composed of a
plug or filament 12 which varies from 50 to 400 microns in
diameter, say for example 100 to 200 microns in diameter. The
filament as shown is solid and is composed of a polymeric material
such as a polyester, for example DACRON (a trademark of E.I. du
Pont de Nemours & Co., Inc.). The head 12 of the plug 10 is
composed of a layer of adhesive coating 16 covering a portion of
the outer wall of the entire plug body. To overcome infection, but
primarily to enhance fixation, bonded into this adhesive layer is a
very fine layer of flock 18, such as a DACRON flock.
The outer wall of the device may also be coated with a fabric, such
as a velour fabric. This allows for the ingrowth of surrounding
tissue into the fabric and fixes the device permanently in the host
vessel. The material which form the fabric or fabric layers may be
either woven or nonwoven and formed from a variety of organic
polymers and also from inorganic compounds which offer the
advantages of inertness, complete stability, and a wide range of
surface properties. The fabric may be prepared from hot melt
polymer extrusion apparatus capable of producing filaments as fine
as 0.1 to 2 microns, say for example from 0.1 to 1.0 microns, from
various thermoplastic materials. The fabric may also be prepared
using polyblend membranes and matting processes.
The plug may be inserted in the vas by making two incisions at
either end of an exposed vas and then drawing the plug through the
vasal lumen as shown in FIG. 2 until positioned where desired.
A plug similar to that shown in FIG. 1 of approximately 2
centimeters in length having a DACRON flocking thereon was bonded
to a silicone polycarbonate rubber filament through the use of a
silicone rubber adhesive. The adhesive coated filament was flocked
with the DACRON flock, such as electrostatically. The plugs were
implanted in 16 humans. After a period of 20 days there was no
sperm reappearance in any of the 16 cases. After an average
implantation period of 80 days, there was no sperm reappearance and
no inflammation signs, pain, or discomfort. After a period of 80
days, in three cases the plugs were removed and there was sperm
reappearance after twenty days. The sperm count after reappearance
was 10 to 50 million sperms per milliliter.
Referring to FIGS. 4a and b, an alternative embodiment of the plug
is shown. This particular plug incorporates a removable pin 26,
which is adapted to be placed inside the hollow fiber 24 and
anchored on one side thereof with adhesive. The fiber may be
comprised of a cellulose resin such as cellulose acetate. The pin
may be made of stainless steel or other suitable polymer. After
implantation in the vas, tissue will grow and anchor the
filamentous flock on the hollow fiber surface. If at a future date
it is desired to open this duct, the pin may be removed leaving a
straight hollow tube approximately 0.25 millimeters in diameter for
the flow of sperm therethrough. This reversibility feature
eliminates the problem of rejoining a severed vas which may only be
20 to 30 percent successful. Also, if the coated plug of my
invention is used as a solid plug, then its removal would require
more delicate surgery and shear the wall of the vas. Another
feature of the removable pin is that if sterilization is to be
effected again, this may be accomplished by reinserting a pin, such
as 26, into the passage thus occluding the flow of sperm
therethrough.
In the formation of fabrics to permit cell growth, the matting
process is particularly useful for the inorganic materials which
are now available in extremely fine diameter filaments. In a
selection of materials to produce the fabric the most important
consideration is one that will permit good cell attachment. Among
some of the parameters considered are: ionic functionability of the
polymer (anionic and cationic); varying exchange capacity;
surface-free energy; and chemical treatment of surfaces to effect
surface-free energy in wetting properties (and probably
self-spreading qualities). In the preparation of the fabric, if the
hot melt polymer extrusion method is used, fibers may be prepared
from a variety of thermoplastic materials including nylon,
polyesters, polyethylene, polystyrene, polymethacrylate and
others.
In addition to the hot melt polymer extrusion process for forming
the lattices, there is a wide range of organic and inorganic fibers
which are inert and stable and may be used as viable, compatible
materials, for example carbon, the glasses, etc. For these
materials, the mats, particularly nonwoven mats, may be prepared by
filtering dilute suspensions or filaments or fine screens or
filters. The mats may then be attached directly to the fibers which
form the device, either by direct bonding or by lamination. Still
another method of producing a cell-holding surface is via an
open-cell "sponge".
In bonding the fabric to a substrate, depending upon the thickness
of the fabric desired, there are various methods which may be
employed. For example, vapor phase bonding where exposure of a cold
polymer surface to hot concentrated solvent vapor produces a very
thin solvent deposit on the surface. This deposit will in turn
dissolve the polymer and make the surface tacky. If the two
surfaces are brought in contact and held together until the solvent
is removed, they will adhere. Also, solvent etching is advantageous
for polymer webs and mats that are of a greater thickness than the
fine fabric produced by vapor phase bonding, but which still
possesses the desired filaments diameter and fabric geometry.
In the technique of controlled solvent etching the fabric is
completely embedded in a polymer matrix, for example nylon,
acrylic, etc., to form a fabric film laminate. The laminate is then
treated with a solvent which removes the matrix film gradually from
the surface until the desired thickness of the fabric lattice is
exposed. Excess matrix polymers may be removed from the fabric web
with a diluted solvent and a nonsolvent.
Heat bonding may also be employed, and one of the more important
factors in heat bonding of fabric web in mats to a sheet of polymer
is, of course, temperature control. A very rapid rise in the
polymer temperature results in complete melting of the film and
subsequent total embedding of the fabric in the melted polymer.
This point becomes immediately apparent during the determination of
the melting point of an organic compound. A gradual rise in
temperature is necessary in order to ensure only softening of the
polymer surface. The fabric is then impressed on the soft surface
with an embossed press to ensure the formation of cell-entrapping
loops. This technique lends itself particularly to the fabrication
of composites from fiber mats of carbon and glass wool. These
fibers possess a very high melting point and therefore any suitable
thermoplastic polymer used as a substrate will have a lower melting
point. The applicability of the technique is enhanced by using a
substrate polymer whose melting point is lower than the fabric
material.
A further technique is negative casting wherein a fabric mat,
particularly a very thin fabric mat, is rolled into a layer of
suitable adhesive having a predetermined thickness. Onto this
composite is poured a layer of medical grade silicone rubber
adhesive or polyurethane which vulcanizes at room temperature. When
the polymer is cured, the soluble adhesive layer is removed by
washing in a solvent which does not dissolve the cured polymer
layer. This exposes a fabric lattice having a thickness equivalent
to the soluble adhesive. The process depends primarily on the
selection of an adhesive which is soluble and remains tacky and
gelatinous for at least ten minutes after casting onto a flat
surface.
A still further method is adhesive bonding which includes a direct
bonding of fiber mats and webs to substrate material and is
particularly applicable for bonding thicker mats to desirable
substrates. For very sheer lattices or fabrics, the adhesive is
applied by spraying the composite with a dilute solution of the
adhesive in a volatile solvent.
The plug device has been described primarily in reference to the
application of a fabric lining on the outer wall of the plug. When
a hollow plug is used as shown in FIG. 4, it is also possible to
coat the inner wall of the hollow tube with a fine fabric lattice
to promote cell growth thereon. This would be applicable when the
pin 26 of FIG. 4 is removed to provide the reversibility as
desired. Upon the removal of the pin and the resumption of the flow
of the sperm through the passageway left therein, the fine fabric
lattice on the inside wall would then promote the growth of a
cellular layer thereon.
As is generally known, the number of cellular layers supported by
the lattice is related to the original thickness of the lattice. If
desired to facilitate growth of cells, the lattice may be seeded
with a cellular suspension obtained from the host vessel. The
fabric lattice would support the growth on endothelial cells such
as would be found on the inner wall of the vasal lumen. Referring
to FIG. 5, a sectional view is shown of the hollow fiber where the
plug has been removed. The vasal lumen is shown at 28, the cell
ingrowth into the fabric layer shown as 30, the fabric layer shown
as 32, the inner wall of the hollow fiber shown as 34, the fabric
lattice shown as 36 and the endothelial cells coating said fabric
layer are shown at 38. Accordingly, by coating the outer wall of
the reversible plug with a fabric, this provides the cell ingrowth
into the fabric to provide fixation of the plug. If reversibility
is desired, once the pin 26 of FIG. 4a is removed, then the fabric
lattice on the inside of the hollow fiber will permit the growth of
the endothelial cells thereon as shown in FIG. 5. The webs which
form the fabric lattice may be either woven or preferably nonwoven
and formed from a variety of organic polymers and from inorganic
compounds which offer the advantages of inertness, complete
stability, and a wide range of surface properties. The selection of
the fabric, velour or flock, inner lining for the hollow tube is
made bearing similar considerations in mind as were made for the
fabric coating on the outer wall of the device. That is, the
material should be compatible with the cell structure or type of
cells in the surrounding tissue which will grow into and attach to
the fabric lattice. Also, similar materials on construction as were
used for the outer fabric may also be used for the inner fabric.
The lamination or preparation of the inner wall of the device may
be accomplished in any of several ways such as outlined for the
preparation of the fabric on the outer wall. Further, additives
which would control the growth of the cells may be incorporated
into the fabric material. Additionally, the fabric velours or
flocks may be woven or nonwoven and made from material similar to
those used in the preparation of the outer fabric and may be
incorporated onto or within the polymer surface or wall surface in
a manner similar to that as the fabric.
In another embodiment, the entire plug, either solid or hollow, may
be made out of a soluble suture material such as cat gut, collagen,
gelatin, starches, such as cross-linked polysaccharides, which are
essentially materials adapted to be dissolved by tissue enzymes.
Depending upon how long an individual such as a male, was to be
sterilized, the degree of tanning or cross-linking of the plug
material can be varied whereby it may dissolve from two weeks to
three years by the tissue enzymes. In this situation if
sterilization is only required say for a period of 2 years, then
such a plug as shown in FIG. 1 may be inserted, the outer fabric
wall will provide the fixation desired, and then at the end of the
2 year period enough of the plug will have dissolved to provide a
passageway for the sperm therethrough. In another embodiment as
shown in FIG. 4, a hollow tube may be used with the inner wall
either coated or uncoated with a lattice and the pin may be
constructed of suitable material whereby it will dissolve within
the prescribed time.
Additionally, material may be used for which the solid plug, hollow
plug, or pin may be composed, which materials would dissolve upon
the introduction of a dissolving agent into the vas deferens. For
example, the pin 26 of FIG. 4 may be composed of a material
noninjurious to the body, such as a cellulose. When it is desired
to restore fecundity, a dissolving agent noninjurious to body
tissue, such as an enzyme, for example a cellulase enzyme, may be
added dissolving the pin thus freeing the passage for the flow of
sperm therethrough.
Accordingly, the invention provides a very simple and effective
method of male sterilization which can be reversed. Although
described in connection with a vas plug, it is of course obvious
that the same concept and device may be used for a fallopian plug.
Recent studies with silicone rubber implants in the fallopian tube
have shown that such plugs are readily dislodged by normal tubular
motility and can be extruded intraabdominally. Of course, if such a
plug is made from the device of my invention, that is a flock
hollow fiber packed with a removable pin, it will be anchored by
the adjoining tissue and may be reversed by removing the pin. This
could be accomplished by injecting a fluid into the fallopian tube
to dilate the tube, inserting the plug, and when the tube retracts,
the plug would be held in place until such time as the tissue
commences to grow into the fabric wall.
* * * * *