Abstract:
A device for occluding the fallopian tube including a retention member and a mesh material supported by the retention member. The retention member has a first lower profile configuration for delivery and a second expanded configuration for placement within the fallopian tube. The mesh material is configured to block passage of an egg through the tube. The member has a plurality of tube engagement members to secure the retention member to the fallopian tube.

Description:
This application claims priority from provisional application Ser. No. 60/932,405 filed May 31, 2007, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This application relates to a minimally invasive device for occluding the fallopian tubes. 
     2. Background of Related Art 
     Tubal ligation is one method of female sterilization. It can be performed laparoscopically by access through the patient&#39;s abdomen where the surgeon severs and closes the ends of the fallopian tubes by tying, applying clamps or cauterization. These devices achieve occlusion by external application to the tube. 
     Other methods involve transcervical access. In some techniques, various agents are injected within each of the fallopian tubes to close or block the tubes. In other transcervical procedures, mechanical devices are inserted and anchored within the tube to promote tissue ingrowth and scar tissue formation to occlude the tubes. In other techniques, radiofrequency energy electrodes are inserted and energized to thermally damage the tube, causing scarring to occlude it. 
     The need exists for an improved device for occluding the fallopian tubes which can be inserted in a minimally invasive fashion. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention overcomes the problems and deficiencies of the prior art. The present invention provides a device for occluding the fallopian tube comprising a retention member and a mesh material supported by the retention member. The retention member has a first lower profile configuration for delivery and a second expanded configuration for placement within the fallopian tube. The mesh material is configured to block passage of an egg through the fallopian tube. The retention member has a plurality of fallopian tube engagement members to secure the retention member to the fallopian tube. 
     In one embodiment, the mesh is attached to an outer surface of the retention member. In another embodiment, the retention member has a plurality of struts defining a space therebetween and the mesh fills a substantial region of the space. In another alternate embodiment, the mesh is a strip of material connected to the retention member and spanning an opening of the retention member. In this embodiment, the mesh is preferably positioned at a region adjacent the tube engagement members. In a preferred embodiment, the retention member is composed of shape memory material. 
     The tube engagement members may include a plurality of teeth. In a preferred embodiment, the retention member has a plurality of struts and the struts terminate in the tube engagement members. In a preferred embodiment, the retention member is composed of shape memory material. 
     The present invention also provides a device for occluding the fallopian tube comprising a tube laser cut to form a series of struts, wherein the tube has a first lower profile configuration for delivery and a second expanded configuration for placement. The struts extend outwardly so that a distal region of the struts has a greater dimension and the struts define a space therebetween. A mesh material is supported by the struts and provides a blocking member to block the egg from passage through the fallopian tube. 
     In one embodiment, the mesh material fills a substantial area of the space between the struts. In another embodiment, the mesh material is in the form of a narrow strip attached to one or more of the struts. In another embodiment, the mesh material is attached to an outer surface of the struts, and extends across a proximal region of the device. 
     A method for fallopian tube occlusion is also provided comprising the steps of inserting into the fallopian tube a sheath containing a retention member having a plurality of struts in a reduced profile position, exposing the retention member from the sheath to enable it to expand to engage a wall of the fallopian tube, subsequently inserting mesh material within a space between the plurality of struts, and withdrawing the sheath to leave the retention member in the fallopian tube so the mesh material fills the space within the tube to occlude the tube. 
     In one embodiment, the retention member has a plurality of shape memory struts and the step of exposing the retention member enables the struts to move toward a shape memorized position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Preferred embodiment(s) of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to the drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a the mesh retention member of the fallopian tube occlusion device of the present invention shown in the collapsed position for delivery; 
         FIG. 2  is a transverse cross-sectional view taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taking along lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1  showing a portion of the retention member within a delivery sheath; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing the occlusion device in the expanded condition without the mesh therein; 
         FIG. 5  is a view similar to  FIG. 4  showing the mesh positioned in the device; 
         FIGS. 6 and 7  are side and front views of the device of  FIG. 5 : 
         FIG. 8  is an anatomical view showing insertion of the delivery device through the uterus of a patient to access the fallopian tubes; 
         FIG. 9  shows the delivery device being inserted into one of the fallopian tubes; 
         FIG. 10  is a close up view showing the delivery device within the fallopian tube; 
         FIG. 11  is a close up view showing the occlusion device deployed in the fallopian tube; 
         FIGS. 12 and 13  are views similar to  FIGS. 10 and 11  except showing placement of the occlusion device in the other fallopian tube; 
         FIG. 14  is an anatomical view illustrating placement of the occlusion device in both fallopian tubes; 
         FIGS. 15 and 16  are perspective and side views, respectively, of an alternate embodiment of the present invention showing the occlusion device having a strip of mesh supported therein; 
         FIG. 17  is a side view of another alternate embodiment of the occlusion device having a mesh filling substantially the entire space between the struts; 
         FIG. 18  is a side view of another alternate embodiment of the occlusion device having a mesh positioned on the outside of the retention member; and 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of another alternate embodiment of the occlusion device having a mesh supported by a wound wire. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now in detail to the drawings where like reference numerals identify similar or like components throughout, the several views, an occlusion device for placement in the fallopian tubes for contraception is disclosed. The device can be inserted minimally invasively and preferably in an office procedure. A hysteroscope can be used for direct visualization. The occlusion device includes a securement member and mesh material. The securement member provides for attachment to the fallopian tube as well as a support or retention for the various embodiments of the mesh described below. 
     With initial reference to  FIGS. 1-3  which shows the occlusion device  10  in the low profile collapsed delivery configuration, and  FIG. 4 , which shows the occlusion device  10  in the expanded placement configuration, the occlusion device  10  includes a securement or retention component (member)  12 . Securement member  12  has engagement hooks  14  for engaging the fallopian tube wall to retain the securement member  12  in the tube to prevent migration as described below. The mesh can be advanced into the member  12  in situ or alternatively can be positioned in the securement member  12  in the delivery position and then advanced together with the securement member  12  for placement in the fallopian tube. The occlusion device  10  is preferably formed from a laser cut tube, although other ways of forming the device are also contemplated. The mesh is not shown in  FIG. 1-4  for clarity. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 4-7  illustrating the device  10  in the expanded (deployed) position, the retention component  12  is in the form of a bell shaped device with struts as described in detail with respect to the vessel filter disclosed in patent application Ser. No. 10/899,429, filed Jul. 13, 2004, (the &#39;429 application), the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. The device  10  has a proximal end  11   a  and distal end  11   b . Securement member  12  is preferably composed of shape memory material, such as Nitinol, with an austenitic shape memorized position illustrated in  FIG. 4  and has a plurality of struts  13  emerging from apex  18  at proximal end  11   a  and terminating in engaging or retention hooks  14  at distal end  11   b . In this embodiment, six struts are provided although a different number of struts is also contemplated. A retrieval hook  16  is positioned on the proximal end  11   a  to enable the device  10  to be grasped by a snare or other retrieval device and removed if desired. The struts  13  can be interconnected by interconnecting struts  17  which join adjacent struts. More specifically, the struts preferably divide at region  19  into two connecting struts  17 , angling away from each other, and then join at region  21  to form extending strut portions  23  terminating in hooks  14 . The interconnecting struts  17  stiffen the device to enhance retention and increase the radial force. They also provide a more symmetric and uniform deployment. The hooks are configured to engage the wall of the fallopian tube for maintaining the position of the occlusion device  10 . Thus struts are preferably flared and create a distal opening and a space between the struts. For clarity, not all the identical parts are labeled throughout the drawings. It should be appreciated that materials other than Nitinol or shape memory are also contemplated. 
     The hooks  14  preferably extend substantially perpendicular from the strut, and are preferably formed by torquing the struts so the hooks bend out of the plane. Preferably, a first set of hooks is larger than a second set of hooks. Preferably, when formed from a laser cut tube, the larger hooks are formed so that they occupy a region equivalent to the transverse dimension of two adjacent struts. Preferably, three smaller hooks and three larger hooks are provided in alternating arrangement in the embodiment utilizing six struts. The smaller hooks are preferably spaced axially with respect to each other and axially inwardly with respect to the larger hooks as in the filter hooks of the &#39;429 application to minimize the collapsed profile (transverse dimension) of the filter when collapsed for insertion. The penetrating tips  14   a  ( FIG. 3 ) preferably point toward the proximal end  11   a  of the device  10  and penetrate the tissue to retain the occlusion device. 
     Each of the hooks  14  can have a series of teeth  14   c  to engage the fallopian tube wall to provide additional retention to prevent movement of the device  10 . A heel  14   d  is provided which extends past the hook to function as a stop to prevent the occlusion device from going through the fallopian tube wall. The angle of the heel  14   d  in the smaller hooks is less than the angle in the larger hooks to provide room for nesting of the hooks as shown in  FIG. 3 . For clarity, not all of the hooks are fully labeled. 
     The securement (retention) member  12  is maintained in a substantially straightened softer martensitic configuration within the delivery catheter or sheath  50  for delivery as shown in  FIG. 3 . The smaller hooks preferably nest within the larger hooks. Cold saline can be injected during delivery to maintain the device  10  in this martensitic condition to facilitate exit from the distal opening  52  at the distal end portion  54  ( FIG. 3 ) of catheter  50 . When the struts  13  exit the delivery sheath (tube  50 ), they are warmed by body temperature and move toward their illustrated memorized expanded position as shown in  FIGS. 4-7 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 8-11  and  14 , the device  10  is preferably inserted through the uterus within delivery catheter  50  and into the fallopian tube. It is positioned in this embodiment with the struts opening in a distal direction. When positioned in the fallopian tube, the hooks  14  engage the tube wall to retain the device. 
     The device  10  in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-7  has mesh material positioned within the retention member  12 , filling substantially the entire region of the member  12 . A small gap  24  can be left at the proximal region (see e.g.  FIG. 6 ). However, in an alternate embodiment, the gap is filled in with mesh so the mesh fills more of the area between the struts as shown for example in  FIG. 17  wherein mesh  61  fills substantially the entire space between the struts  63 . Retention member  60  is otherwise identical to retention member  12  of  FIG. 1 . The mesh is preferably in the form a tightly woven material to provide sufficiently small spaces to effectively block the eggs from the ovaries traveling through the fallopian tube. 
     The mesh can be delivered within the retention member  12  such that in the collapsed position the mesh is contained and compressed therein. After delivery, it would expand within the space of the retention member  12 , i.e. within the space between the struts. 
     In an alternate embodiment, the retention member  12  would be placed within the fallopian tube first, and then once in place, the mesh would be delivered through the opening in the distal end  11   b  of the device and within the space between the struts  13  and/or  17 . This in situ delivery could occur in embodiments wherein the device  10  is implanted in an orientation opposite to that of  FIG. 11 , i.e. the opening between the struts would face in the other direction such that the distal  11   b  would be closer to the uterus than proximal end  11   a.    
     In an alternate embodiment, instead of the mesh filing the space between the struts, the mesh is in the form of a narrow strip. The mesh in this embodiment functions as a screen type blocking member, as shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16  and is substantially circular. The retention (securement) member  72  is otherwise identical to securement member  12  of  FIG. 1 , e.g. struts  73  divide at region  79  into interconnecting struts  77 , join at region  81 , and terminate in engaging hooks  74 . The strip  85  of mesh would preferably be positioned slightly proximal of the hooks  74 , e.g. at the region where the strut twists out of the plane so as not to interfere with the hooks. However, the mesh could be placed at other locations along the struts as long as it functions as a cover or blocking member to occlude the fallopian tube. Although a thin strip of mesh is shown, other size blocking strips could also be provided. The mesh is shown attached to an inner surface of the struts but could alternatively be attached to the outer surface. It could be attached to one or more of the struts. 
     As noted above, although the retention member is shown inserted with the engaging hooks  14  facing in the distal direction, it is also contemplated that the retention member could be oriented in the opposite direction. In this version (not shown), the mesh can be inserted along with the retention member or alternatively if desired could be delivered in situ within the distal opening between the struts. 
     In the alternate embodiment of  FIG. 18 , the mesh  92  is positioned on the outside of the retention member  90 . In all other respects, retention member  90  is similar to member  12 . In this embodiment, the mesh  92  is placed on an outer region, covering the outer surfaces of the struts and apex region and interposed between the struts and the fallopian tube when placed. Thus, the mesh functions as a sleeve which prevents passage of the eggs as they would be captured within the sleeve or net-like device. 
     The mesh in the foregoing embodiments can be attached to the retention member by various methods such as bonding, clamping and suturing. 
     The method of placement of the occlusion device of the present invention will now be described for occluding a fallopian tube and with reference to  FIGS. 8-14  which illustrate by way of example the device of  FIG. 5  with the mesh delivered in conjunction with the securement member (the other embodiments are inserted in a similar fashion). A delivery catheter  50  is inserted through an introducer sheath  100  through the vagina and cervix into the uterus U. The catheter  50  is then advanced into fallopian tube F 1 . For insertion, the retention member  12  (and mesh) is in the collapsed position. 
     A pusher (not shown) is advanced distally to advance the occlusion device  10  from the catheter  50 . As the struts of device  10  are exposed, they are warmed by body temperature and return toward their shape memorized deployed position as shown in  FIG. 11  to engage the wall W 1  of the fallopian tube. The extent they return to their fully memorized position will depend on the size of the fallopian tube. The catheter  50  is then withdrawn into the uterus and inserted into fallopian tube F 2  ( FIG. 12 ) (or another catheter is used) wherein another occlusion device  10  is exposed from the catheter  50  so the struts move to the expanded position to engage the wall W 2  of tube F 2  as illustrated in  FIG. 13 . The expanded mesh functions to block the travel of eggs through the tube. 
     As can be appreciated, although described for closing the fallopian tube, the occlusion device can be used in other areas of the body. 
     Note, the material inside or outside the retention member could be non-porous or porous. It could alternatively be made of pericardium, SIS, PET, PTFE, or other materials. 
     In the alternate embodiment of  FIG. 19 , a wound wire  100  provides a support member for mesh  110 . The wire as shown has a substantially conical mesh so the diameter (transverse dimension) at region  112  exceeds the diameter (transverse dimension) at region  114 . The mesh  110  is provided on an outer surface as shown. Alternatively, the mesh could be positioned inside or a strip of mesh spanning the opening could be provided. The wire could have hooks, barbs or other surfaces to enhance retention in addition to the outward radial force against the fallopian tube wall. 
     While the above description contains many specifics, those specifics should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the disclosure, but merely as exemplifications of preferred embodiments thereof. For example other materials can be contained or mounted to the retention member to function to block eggs from passage through the fallopian tubes. Those skilled in the art will envision many other possible variations that are within the scope and spirit of the disclosure as defined by the claims appended hereto.