Patent ID: 8235048

Claim:
A device for occluding the fallopian tube comprising a wire composed of a shape memory material and an outer material encapsulating the wire, the wire and outer material implantable in the fallopian tube, the device having a first elongated configuration for delivery constrained within a delivery tube and a second configuration for placement within the fallopian tube to occlude the fallopian tube, the device having a first longitudinal length in the first configuration for delivery and a second longitudinal length in the second configuration, the second length being less than the first length, when released from the delivery tube, the wire moves toward the second configuration wherein the wire moves toward its shape memory position and expands within the outer material in a longitudinal direction and in a lateral direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the device and the wire and outer material having a single U-shape defined by a curved portion and first and second leg portions extending from opposing sides of the curved portion, the first and second leg portions extending downwardly from the curved portion and laterally outwardly, the outer material covering the leg portions, and a height of the device at the leg portions is less than a height of the device at the U-shape curved portion between the leg portions and a diameter of the leg portions is greater in the second configuration than in the first configuration.