CONTRACEPTION APPARATUS FOR MALE

The present invention relates to a contraception apparatus for a male. The contraception apparatus for a male according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a tube inserted into a seminal duct and having, on the inside, a hollow portion that is open at both ends; and at least one filter located in the hollow portion of the tube. The filter may comprise: a plurality of microchannels penetrating the filter; and a plurality of nanospikes formed on one surface of the filter.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a male contraceptive device, and more specifically to a reversible male contraceptive device that is easy to insert into and remove from the ejaculatory duct and can be used semi-permanently.

BACKGROUND ART

Condoms are usually used as male disposable contraceptives. Condoms are worn on the penis prior to sexual intercourse and are disposed of after use. The use of condoms is required every time sexual intercourse is attempted, causing inconvenience to users.

Due to this inconvenience, a vasectomy can be performed as a surgical procedure for male contraception. A vasectomy is an operation in which the vas deferens is cut and the two cut ends of the vas deferens are stitched to block sperm from travelling through the vas deferens. It can be said to be more effective than other contraceptive methods and has the advantage of being permanent. When it intends to eliminate the contraceptive effect of vasectomy as required, a vasectomy reversal is performed to reconnect the vas deferens after the previous vasectomy. However, the vasectomy reversal has a probability of failure.

Under these circumstances, studies are currently underway on male contraceptive devices that are easy to insert into and remove from the human body while maintaining their contraceptive effects.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

The present invention has been made in an effort to solve the problems of the prior art and intends to provide a male contraceptive device that is easy to insert into and remove from the ejaculatory duct while minimizing side effects and sequelae.

The present invention also intends to provide a reversible male contraceptive device that can be used semi-permanently with good contraceptive efficacy.

Objects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned objects and other unmentioned objects may be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

Means for Solving the Problems

A male contraceptive device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a tube having an internal hollow whose both ends are open and insertable into the ejaculatory duct; and at least one filter located in the hollow of the tube, wherein the filter includes a plurality of microchannels passing therethrough and a plurality of nanospikes formed on one surface thereof.

In one embodiment, the male contraceptive device may include a plurality of pressing members arranged on an outer surface of the tube and spaced apart from each other.

In one embodiment, the tube may further include a plurality of through-holes penetrating an inner surface thereof in contact with the hollow and the outer surface thereof and each of the pressing members may include a pressing portion having an accommodation space therein and a connection portion connecting the pressing portion and the tube and having a connection hole through which the corresponding through-hole is in communication with the accommodation space.

In one embodiment, the tube may further include a partition wall located in the hollow to partition the hollow into an inner space and an outer space and a plurality of through-holes penetrating the inner surface in contact with the outer space and the outer surface, and the outer space may be located outside the inner space to surround the inner space.

In one embodiment, each of the pressing members may include a pressing portion having an accommodation space therein and a connection portion connecting the pressing portion and the tube and having a connection hole through which the corresponding through-hole is in communication with the accommodation space.

In one embodiment, the pressing members may be arranged at regular intervals along the circumference of the tube.

In one embodiment, the male contraceptive device may further include a movement-preventing member located at one side of the tube and surrounding the tube wherein the movement-preventing member is made of a material that expands at a preset temperature.

In one embodiment, the tube may be made of a stretchable material.

In one embodiment, the filter may be provided in plurality and the plurality of filters may be arranged along the lengthwise direction of the tube.

In one embodiment, the tube may further include a flange member protruding from the inner surface to support the other surface of the filter.

Prior to the detailed description of the invention, it should be understood that the terms and words used in the specification and the claims are not to be construed as having common and dictionary meanings but are construed as having meanings and concepts corresponding to the technical spirit of the present invention in view of the principle that the inventor can define properly the concept of the terms and words in order to describe his/her invention with the best method.

Effects of the Invention

The male contraceptive device of the present invention is easy to insert into and remove from the ejaculatory duct, causing minimal side effects and sequelae. In addition, the male contraceptive device of the present invention can physically destroy sperm, achieving improved contraceptive efficacy. Furthermore, the male contraceptive device of the present invention can be used semi-permanently.

Effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned effects and other unmentioned effects may be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description and preferred embodiments with reference to the appended drawings. In the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals even though they are depicted in different drawings. Although such terms as “first” and “second,” etc. may be used to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by above terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element from another. In the description of the present invention, detailed explanations of related art are omitted when it is deemed that they may unnecessarily obscure the essence of the present invention.

FIG.1is a schematic view illustrating a state in which a male contraceptive device according to one embodiment of the present invention is inserted into the ejaculatory duct.

Referring toFIG.1, the male contraceptive device10can be inserted into the ejaculatory duct (ED). Particularly, the male contraceptive device10can be inserted into and removed from the ejaculatory duct (ED) through a urologic surgery using a cystoscope. Since the male contraceptive device10is surgically inserted into the ejaculatory duct (ED), it provides effective and semi-permanent contraception without causing inconvenience in daily life.

The user can remove the male contraceptive device10from the ejaculatory duct (ED) at any desired time without any damage to the human body. That is, the male contraceptive device10can be reversibly removed with minimal side effects and sequelae. Details of the male contraceptive device10will be described below.

FIG.2is a schematic view illustrating the male contraceptive device ofFIG.1,FIG.3is a plan view illustrating the male contraceptive device ofFIG.2,FIG.4is a cross-sectional view illustrating the male contraceptive device ofFIG.2,FIG.5is an enlarged view illustrating a portion “A” ofFIG.4, andFIG.6is an enlarged view illustrating a portion “B” ofFIG.4.

Referring toFIGS.2to6, the male contraceptive device10may include a tube100, a filter200, and pressing members300. The male contraceptive device10may further include a movement-preventing member500.

The tube100may be provided in a barrel shape. In an embodiment, the tube100may be provided in a cylindrical shape. In an alternative embodiment, the tube may be provided in a polygonal cylindrical shape such as a rectangular or hexagonal cylindrical shape. The barrel-shaped tube100may have an internal hollow110whose both ends are open. In an embodiment, the hollow110may have an inlet, through which semen enters, formed at one end thereof and an outlet, through which the semen exits, formed at the other end thereof. In an embodiment, the length of the tube100may be about 0.5 cm to 3 cm but is not limited thereto.

The tube100may be inserted into the ejaculatory duct (ED). In this case, the tube100is smaller in width than the ejaculatory duct (ED). The tube100may be made of a stretchable material. In this case, the tube100inserted into the ejaculatory duct (ED) can be expanded by the hydraulic pressure of semen flowing in the ejaculatory duct (ED). In an embodiment, the tube100may be made of a polymeric material (e.g., silicone) harmless to humans but is not limited to this material.

The tube100may include an outer surface101and an inner surface103. The inner surface103may surround the hollow110of the tube100while being in contact with the hollow110. The tube100may include a plurality of through-holes120penetrating the outer surface101and the inner surface103.

The through-holes120may be in communication with the hollow110. The through-holes120may be spaced apart from each other. The through-holes120may be arranged along the circumference of the tube100. In an embodiment, the through-holes120may be arranged at regular intervals along the circumference of the tube100. The through-holes120may be arranged along the lengthwise direction of the tube100.

As described above, the male contraceptive device10may include at least one filter200. In an embodiment, the male contraceptive device10may include a plurality of filters200. The filters200may be located in the hollow110of the tube100. The filters200may be spaced apart from each other. The filters200may be arranged along the lengthwise direction of the tube100.

Although not illustrated in the drawings, in an embodiment, the tube100may include a plurality of insertion grooves (not illustrated) recessed from the inner surface103towards the outer surface101. Each of the filters200may be fixedly inserted into the corresponding insertion groove in the tube100.

The filter200may destroy sperm in semen entering the tube100while filtering out the sperm. The filter200may pass seminal substances smaller than a predetermined size (e.g., substances having a size smaller than the size of sperm). In an embodiment, the filter200may be made of a silicone material but is not limited to this material.

The filter200may include one surface210and the other surface220opposite to each other. In an embodiment, the one surface210of the filter200may be formed in the direction toward the inlet of the hollow110. The other surface220of the filter200opposite to the one surface210may be formed in the direction toward the outlet of the hollow110. The filter200may include a plurality of microchannels250passing therethrough and a plurality of nanospikes230.

The microchannels250may connect the one surface210and the other surface220of the filter200. The microchannels250may be spaced apart from each other. In an embodiment, the microchannels250may be irregularly arranged as viewed from above.

In an alternative embodiment, the microchannels250may be regularly arranged as viewed from above. The width (D) of the microchannels250may be smaller than that of sperm to prevent sperm from passing through the filter200through the microchannels250. In an embodiment, the width (D) of the microchannels250may be about 3 μm to 5 μm but is not limited thereto.

The nanospikes230may be formed on the one surface210of the filter200. In an embodiment, the nanospikes230may be irregularly arranged as viewed from above but are not limited to this arrangement. In an embodiment, each of the nanospikes230may have a sharp end. This shape enables the nanospikes230to destroy sperm. The physical destruction of sperm by the nanospikes230leads to an improvement in contraceptive performance.

The pressing members300may be located on the outer surface101of the tube100. The pressing members300may be spaced apart from each other. The pressing members300may be arranged at regular intervals along the circumference of the tube100.

The pressing members300may be brought into close contact with the inner wall (ED1) of the ejaculatory duct (ED) to prevent the tube100from being moved by the pressure of entering semen. The pressing members300may be made of a stretchable material. For example, the pressing members300may be made of a silicone material. Each of the pressing members300may include a pressing portion310and a connection portion320.

In an embodiment, the pressing portion310may include an accommodation space311. The connection portion320may connect the pressing portion310and the tube100. The connection portion320may include a connection hole321passing therethrough. The connection hole321may be in communication with the corresponding through-hole120. Thus, the accommodation space311may be in communication with the corresponding through-hole120through the connection hole321.

The movement-preventing member500may be located at one side of the tube100. In an embodiment, the movement-preventing member500may be located adjacent to the outlet of the hollow110but is not limited to this location. The movement-preventing member500may surround the tube100. The movement-preventing member500may be larger in width than the tube100. In an embodiment, the movement-preventing member500may be provided in a ring shape.

The movement-preventing member500may be brought into contact with the inner wall (ED1) of the ejaculatory duct (ED) to limit the movement of the tube100after insertion into the ejaculatory duct (ED).

The movement-preventing member500may be made of a material that expands at a preset temperature. For example, the movement-preventing member500may be made of a shape memory alloy. In this case, the movement-preventing member500may expand at body temperature (˜36.5° C.) to come into contact with the inner wall (ED1) of the ejaculatory duct (ED).

FIG.7is a schematic view illustrating a male contraceptive device according to a further embodiment of the present invention. Most of the components illustrated inFIG.7are the same as those illustrated inFIGS.1to6and descriptions thereof are omitted or only briefly mentioned for convenience of explanation.

Referring toFIG.7, the male contraceptive device10may include a tube100, a filter200, pressing members300, and a movement-preventing member500.

The tube100may include a hollow110, through-holes120, a partition wall130, and a support portion150. The partition wall130may be located in the hollow110. The partition wall130may partition the hollow110into an inner space113and an outer space115. Accordingly, the inner space113and the outer space115may not be connected to each other.

The inner space113may be located within the partition wall130. The inner space113may be in the form of a hollow whose both ends are open because it is located in the hollow110and forms a portion of the hollow110.

The outer space115may be located outside the partition wall130. That is, the outer space115may be located between the partition wall130and the inner surface103of the tube100. The outer space115may surround the inner space113.

The support portion150may be located between and connect the partition wall130and the inner surface103of the tube100. The support portion150may be made of a stretchable material. Although the expansion of the tube100leads to an increase in distance between the inner surface103of the tube100and the partition wall130, the support portion150can connect the partition wall130and the inner surface103.

The filter200may be provided in plurality. The filters200may be located in the hollow110. In an embodiment, the filters200may be located in the inner space113. The boundary of the filter200may be in contact with the partition wall130. The filter200may include a plurality of microchannels250and a plurality of nanospikes230.

Each of the pressing members300may include a connection portion320and a pressing portion310. The pressing portion310may include an accommodation space311. The connection portion320may include a connection hole321.

FIG.8is a schematic view illustrating a male contraceptive device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Most of the components illustrated inFIG.8are the same as those illustrated inFIGS.1to6and descriptions thereof are omitted or only briefly mentioned for convenience of explanation.

Referring toFIG.8, the male contraceptive device10may include a tube100, a filter200, pressing members300, and a movement-preventing member500.

The tube100may include an outer surface101, an inner surface103, a hollow110, and a flange member400. The flange member400may protrude from the inner surface103of the tube100. In an embodiment, the flange member400may be disposed along the circumference of the tube100. The flange member400may support the other surface220of the filter200located in the hollow110to prevent the filter200from being moved by the pressure of entering semen or the like.

Each of the pressing members300may include a connection portion320and a pressing portion310. In an embodiment, the formation of through-holes120in the tube100may be omitted, unlike inFIG.4. The formation of accommodation spaces311and connection holes321in the pressing portion310and the connection portion320, respectively, may be omitted, unlike inFIG.4.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

An operational procedure of a male contraceptive device10according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG.9schematically illustrates a procedure in which the male contraceptive device ofFIG.2is brought into close contact with the inner wall of the ejaculatory duct. InFIG.9, (a) illustrates a state in which the male contraceptive device is inserted into the ejaculatory duct, (b) illustrates a state in which the pressing members of the male contraceptive device are brought into close contact with the inner wall of the ejaculatory duct when a man ejaculates, and (c) illustrates a state in which sperm in semen ejaculated by a man is destroyed by the male contraceptive device. Most of the components illustrated inFIG.9are the same as those illustrated inFIGS.1to6and descriptions thereof are omitted or only briefly mentioned for brevity of explanation.

Referring to (a) ofFIG.9, the male contraceptive device10can be inserted into the ejaculatory duct (ED) through a urologic surgery using a cystoscope. In an embodiment, the tube100of the male contraceptive device10may be smaller in width (L) than the ejaculatory duct (ED) for easy insertion of the male contraceptive device10into the ejaculatory duct (ED).

When the male contraceptive device10is inserted into the ejaculatory duct (ED), the movement-preventing member500of the male contraceptive device10may be brought into contact with the inner wall (ED1) of the ejaculatory duct (ED).

The movement-preventing member500may be made of a material that expands at a preset temperature. As the movement-preventing member500expands at the internal temperature of the ejaculatory duct (ED), it comes into close contact with the inner wall (ED1) of the ejaculatory duct (ED). This significantly restricts the movement of the male contraceptive device10within the ejaculatory duct (ED).

Referring to (b) ofFIG.9, when a man ejaculates, semen enters the urethra through the ejaculatory duct (ED), flows through the urethra, and exits the human body. When a man ejaculates, the internal pressure (P) of the ejaculatory duct (ED) may increase. The increased internal pressure (P) of the ejaculatory duct leads to an increase in the internal pressure (P) of the hollow110of the tube100, with the result that the tube100expands and its width (L1) increases.

The internal pressure (P) of the hollow110of the tube100may be transmitted to the pressing members300through the through-holes120. As a result, the internal pressure of the accommodation spaces311may also increase, resulting in expansion of the pressing members300. As the tube100and the pressing members300expand, the pressing members300may be brought into close contact with the inner wall (ED1) of the ejaculatory duct (ED).

Although the close contact of the pressing members with the inner wall (ED1) of the ejaculatory duct (ED) increases the internal pressure of the ejaculatory duct (ED), the pressing members can prevent the male contraceptive device from moving in the ejaculatory duct (ED).

Referring to (c) ofFIG.9, sperm (S) in semen flows in the ejaculatory duct (ED). The semen may enter the hollow110of the tube100. The sperm (S) in the semen cannot pass through the microchannels250of the filter200because its width (D) is larger than the width (D) of the microchannels250. However, other fine substances in the semen can pass through the microchannels250.

The sperm (S) having entered the hollow110of the tube100may collide with the nanospikes230of the filter200. The sperm (S1) may be destroyed by the nanospikes230having sharp ends when colliding with the nanospikes230.

The destroyed sperm (S1) is degraded into smaller sizes sufficient to pass through the microchannels250. That is, the destroyed sperm (S1) together with the semen may exit through the male contraceptive device10. Therefore, the male contraceptive device10has a contraceptive effect due to its ability to destroy sperm in semen.

FIG.10schematically illustrates a procedure in which the male contraceptive device ofFIG.7is brought into close contact with the inner wall of the ejaculatory duct.

InFIG.10, (a) illustrates a state in which the male contraceptive device is inserted into the ejaculatory duct and (b) illustrates a state in which the pressing members of the male contraceptive device are brought into close contact with the inner wall of the ejaculatory duct when a man ejaculates. Most of the components illustrated inFIG.10are the same as those illustrated inFIGS.1to6and descriptions thereof are omitted or only briefly mentioned for brevity of explanation.

Referring to (a) ofFIG.10, the male contraceptive device10can be inserted into the ejaculatory duct (ED) through a urologic surgery using a cystoscope. When the male contraceptive device10is inserted into the ejaculatory duct (ED), the movement-preventing member500of the male contraceptive device10may be brought into contact with the inner wall (ED1) of the ejaculatory duct (ED).

Referring to (b) ofFIG.10, when a man ejaculates, semen enters the urethra through the ejaculatory duct (ED), flows through the urethra, and exits the human body. When a man ejaculates, the internal pressure (P) of the ejaculatory duct (ED) may increase. The increased internal pressure (P) of the ejaculatory duct leads to an increase in the internal pressure (P) of the hollow110of the tube100.

The increased internal pressure of the hollow110leads to increases in the pressure (P) of the inner space113and the outer space115of the hollow110partitioned by the partition wall130. In an embodiment, the width of the partition wall130may be maintained constant despite an increase in the internal pressure of the hollow110. Thus, the filters200located in the inner space113can be prevented from being separated from the partition wall130by a change in the pressure of the hollow110.

The increased internal pressure (P) of the hollow110leads to expansion of the tube100, resulting in an increase in the width of the tube100. The internal pressure of the outer space115of the tube100may be transmitted to the pressing members300through the through-holes120. As a result, the internal pressure of the accommodation spaces311may also increase, resulting in expansion of the pressing members300. As the tube100and the pressing members300expand, the pressing members300may be brought into close contact with the inner wall (ED1) of the ejaculatory duct (ED).

Although the close contact of the pressing members with the inner wall (ED1) of the ejaculatory duct (ED) increases the internal pressure of the ejaculatory duct (ED), the pressing members can prevent the male contraceptive device from moving in the ejaculatory duct (ED).

Although the present invention has been described herein with reference to the foregoing specific embodiments, these embodiments do not serve to limit the invention and are set forth for illustrative purposes. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Simple modifications and changes of the present invention belong to the scope of the present invention and the specific scope of the present invention will be clearly defined by the appended claims.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The male contraceptive device of the present invention is easy to insert into and remove from the ejaculatory duct while minimizing side effects and sequelae. In addition, the male contraceptive device of the present invention can be used semi-permanently with good contraceptive efficacy. Therefore, the present invention is considered industrially applicable.