Patent ID: 7846160

Claim:
A method for female sterilization comprising, for each fallopian tube: transcervically inserting and implanting a tubal occlusion device into the fallopian tube where the tubal occlusion device immediately occludes the fallopian tube; transcervically positioning a radio frequency (RF) applicator including one or more bipolar electrodes at a tubal ostium of the fallopian tube such that the one or more bipolar electrodes are positioned proximally relative to the implanted tubal occlusion device; and passing current through the RF applicator to destroy tissue to a known depth and to precipitate a healing response in surrounding tissue that over time scars, the scar tissue permanently occluding the fallopian tube; wherein the tubal occlusion device remains in the fallopian tube after the RF applicator is removed from the respective fallopian tube and provides immediate and at least temporary sterilization before the scar tissue resulting from the application of current through the RF applicator is formed.