An apparatus for irrigating the vas deferens in connection with a vasectomy reversal is described. The apparatus comprises a fluid delivery device having a first portion that connects to the vas deferens, the fluid delivery device connecting such that a catheter tip inserts into the vas deferens and is held in stable position relative thereto and such that fluid enters the vas deferens through the catheter tip.

There is provided a method for controlling a flow of sperms in a uterine tube of a female patient. The method comprises electrically stimulating a uterine tube wall portion by controlling an implanted stimulation device from at least one of an external control unit and an internal control unit, wherein the electrically stimulating causes contraction of the uterine tube wall portion along a length of the portion to restrict the flow of sperms in the uterine tube.

An apparatus for irrigating the vas deferens in connection with a vasectomy reversal is described. The apparatus comprises a fluid delivery device having a first portion that connects to the vas deferens, the fluid delivery device connecting such that a catheter tip inserts into the vas deferens and is held in stable position relative thereto and such that fluid enters the vas deferens through the catheter tip.

There is provided a method for controlling a flow of eggs in a uterine tube formed by a uterine tube wall of a patient. The method comprises gently constricting (i.e., without substantially hampering the blood circulation in the uterine tube wall) at least one portion of the uterine tube wall to influence the flow of eggs in the uterine tube, and stimulating the constricted wall portion to cause contraction of the uterine tube wall portion to further influence the flow of eggs in the uterine tube. The method can be used for restricting or stopping the flow of eggs in the uterine tube, or for actively moving the fluid in the uterine tube, with a low risk of injuring the uterine tube.

Conventional vasectomy techniques suffer from a number of disadvantages, including, for example, a substantial risk for the development of hematomas and swelling, a potential for spontaneous regeneration and undesired resumption of fertility, a need for a highly skilled surgical professional, as well as a long recovery period, accompanied by severe limitations on post-surgical activity. The present invention overcomes the disadvantages and deficiencies of the prior art by providing a rapid, reliable, less invasive male sterilization procedure as well as vasectomy instruments and kits for use therewith.

There is provided a method for controlling a flow of eggs in a uterine tube formed by a uterine tube wall of a patient. The method comprises gently constricting (i.e., without substantially hampering the blood circulation in the uterine tube wall) at least one portion of the uterine tube wall to influence the flow of eggs in the uterine tube, and stimulating the constricted wall portion to cause contraction of the uterine tube wall portion to further influence the flow of eggs in the uterine tube. The method can be used for restricting or stopping the flow of eggs in the uterine tube, or for actively moving the fluid in the uterine tube, with a low risk of injuring the uterine tube.

Described are methods for reversible occlusion of a body lumen by way of degradation as a result of exposure to one or more stimuli such as light. The methods include administering one or more substance(s) into a body lumen of a subject and forming a stimuli-responsive polymer mass in the body lumen from the one or more substance(s). The mass is sufficient to occlude the body lumen in a manner that prevents transport of at least one material through the body lumen and is susceptible to on-command reversal in the body lumen upon exposure to one or more stimuli. The methods include administering one or more stimuli to a polymer mass in a body lumen for a time and intensity to cause the reverse the polymer mass. The methods are particular useful for applications in which it is desirable to temporarily occlude a body lumen, such as male and female contraception.

Methods and apparatus are provided for fastening or clamping tissue to tissue or non-tissue layers and for occluding tubular body structures. Tissue fasteners having separate proximal and distal implants, each with self-expanding, radially extending legs are connected together on opposite sides of tissue and non-tissue layers. The legs of the proximal and distal implants are interdigitated in the absence of such layers.

An apparatus for controlling a flow of sperms in a uterine tube formed by a uterine tube wall of a patient's uterine tube comprises an implantable constriction device for gently constricting (i.e. without substantially hampering the blood circulation in the uterine tube wall) at least one portion of the uterine tube wall to influence the flow in the uterine tube, and a stimulation device for stimulating the wall portion of the uterine tube wall. A control device controls the stimulation device to stimulate the wall portion, as the constriction device constricts the wall portion, to cause contraction of the wall portion constricted by the constriction device to further influence the flow in the uterine tube. The apparatus can be used for restricting or stopping the flow in the uterine tube, or for actively moving the fluid in the uterine tube, with a low risk of injuring the uterine tube.

Apparatus and methods for occluding hollow body structures, such as blood vessels, and for attaching tissue layers and/or non-tissue layers together by providing implantable elements on opposite sides of the structure or layers and drawing the implants together to occlude the body structure and/or bring the layers together. The implants are deliverable in a low-profile configuration and self-expand to an enlarged configuration. The implantable elements are delivered by transfixing the body structure, then releasing the implants on opposite sides of the body structure and drawing the implants together to effect an occlusion or attachment. The implants are configured to apply oppositely directed forces to opposite surfaces of the tissue layers at alternate, circumferentially spaced locations and may constrain the tissue in a serpentine pattern or in a direct clamping pattern. The implants grip the tissue in a manner that defines a pressure zone about the transfixion aperture that prevents leakage from the aperture.