Patent US6346102B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6346102B1
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US
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Method and apparatus for tubal occlusion
Assignee: Cytyc Corp
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Filing: 2000-05-26
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Granted: 2002-02-12
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Expires: 2020-05-26
Abstract
Abstract A device for sterilizing females by occluding the uterotubal junction. The device includes a catheter with a releasable heat generating plug which is used to thermally damage the uterotubal junction and cause it to constrict around the plug, after which the plug is released from the catheter and left in place in the uterotubal junction.
Inventors
- 👤 Douglas C. Harrington
- 👤 Brett Bowman
- 👤 Peter M. Breining
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 23:25
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/12; A61B17/12022; A61B17/12099; A61B17/12109; A61B17/12131; A61B17/12159; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1485; A61F; A61F6/00; A61F6/20; A61F6/22; A61F6/225; A61B18/18; A61B18/1815; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00292; A61B2017/003; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00559; A61B2018/00571; A61B2018/00577; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/00666; A61B2018/00678; A61B2018/00696; A61B2018/00702; A61B2018/00708; A61B2018/00738; A61B2018/00755; A61B2018/00773; A61B2018/00791; A61B2018/00815; A61B2018/00821; A61B2018/00875; A61B18/1206; A61B2018/1246; A61B2018/1253; A61B2018/126; A61B2018/1405; A61B2018/1435; A61B2018/1437; A61B2018/1467; A61B90/00; A61B90/39; A61B2090/3925
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for sterilizing a female patient using an elongated instrument assembly having a distal end, said method comprising the steps of: inserting the distal end of the elongated instrument assembly into the uterine tube of the female patient, the distal end of the elongated instrument having a detachable plug; applying tissue damaging means from the plug to the uterine tube thereby causing the tissue of the uterine tube to collapse on the plug; detaching the plug from the distal end of the elongated instrument assembly; and removing the remaining portion of the elongated instrument assembly from the female patient.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for sterilizing a female patient using an elongated instrument assembly having a distal end, said method comprising the steps of: inserting the distal end of the elongated instrument assembly into the uterine tube of the female patient, the distal end of the elongated instrument having a detachable plug; applying tissue damaging means from the plug to the uterine tube thereby causing the tissue of the uterine tube to collapse on the plug; detaching the plug from the distal end of the elongated instrument assembly; and removing the remaining portion of the elongated instrument assembly from the female patient.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the tissue damaging means is selected from the group consisting of radio frequency energy, laser light, electrical energy, cryogenic cooling and ultrasonic waves.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
146 words
A method for sterilizing a female patient using an elongated instrument assembly having a distal end, the female patient being supported, during the procedure, on an operating table and access to the uterus is facilitated by installation of a speculum in the vagina of the female patient, said method comprising the steps of: clamping the speculum to the operating table; inserting the distal end of the elongated instrument assembly into the uterine tube of the female patient, the distal end of the elongated instrument having a detachable plug; locking the elogated instrument assembly to the speculum; applying tissue damaging means from the plug to the uterine tube thereby causing the tissue of the uterine tube to collapse on the plug; detaching the plug from the distal end of the elongated instrument assembly; and removing the remaining portion of the elongated instrument assembly from the female patient.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
146 words
A method for sterilizing a female patient using an elongated instrument assembly having a distal end, the female patient being supported, during the procedure, on an operating table and access to the uterus is facilitated by installation of a speculum in the vagina of the female patient, said method comprising the steps of: clamping the speculum to the operating table; inserting the distal end of the elongated instrument assembly into the uterine tube of the female patient, the distal end of the elongated instrument having a detachable plug; locking the elogated instrument assembly to the speculum; applying tissue damaging means from the plug to the uterine tube thereby causing the tissue of the uterine tube to collapse on the plug; detaching the plug from the distal end of the elongated instrument assembly; and removing the remaining portion of the elongated instrument assembly from the female patient.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the tissue damaging means is selected from the group consisting of radio frequency energy, laser light, electrical energy, cryogenic cooling and ultrasonic waves.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-02-11 | 2005-08-13 | 2006-02-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-02-11 | 2009-08-13 | 2010-02-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-02-11 | 2013-08-13 | 2014-02-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |