776results about "Female contraceptives" patented technology

The present invention provides solid pharmaceutical compositions for improved delivery of a wide variety of pharmaceutical active ingredients contained therein or separately administered. In one embodiment, the solid pharmaceutical composition includes a solid carrier, the solid carrier including a substrate and an encapsulation coat on the substrate. The encapsulation coat can include different combinations of pharmaceutical active ingredients, hydrophilic surfactant, lipophilic surfactants and triglycerides. In another embodiment, the solid pharmaceutical composition includes a solid carrier, the solid carrier being formed of different combinations of pharmaceutical active ingredients, hydrophilic surfactants, lipophilic surfactants and triglycerides. The compositions of the present invention can be used for improved delivery of hydrophilic or hydrophobic pharmaceutical active ingredients, such as drugs, nutritional agents, cosmeceuticals and diagnostic agents.

A composition for treatment of a human body comprises a combination of at least one hormone, at least one amino acid, at least one enzyme and/or vitamin, and least one mineral. The relative proportions of the hormone, amino acid, enzyme and mineral in the combination are balanced with respect to each other so as to be present in effective amounts to substantially restore to optimal levels in the body the hormone, amino acid, enzyme and mineral The hormone, amino acid, enzyme and mineral in the combination further operate synergistically to provide both nutrients and command components to enable the body to effectively utilize the nutrients. The invention is also a method of forming a composition for the treatment of a human body.

Crosslinked compositions formed from water-insoluble copolymers are disclosed. These compositions are copolymers having a bioresorbable region, a hydrophilic region and at least two cross-linkable functional groups per polymer chain. Crosslinking of these polymers can be effected in solution in organic solvents or in solvent-free systems. If crosslinking occurs in a humid environment, a hydrogel will form. If crosslinking occurs in a non-humid environment, a xerogel will form which will form a hydrogel when exposed to a humid environment and the resulting crosslinked materials form hydrogels when exposed to humid environments. These hydrogels are useful as components in medical devices such as implantable prostheses. In addition, such hydrogels are useful as delivery vehicles for therapeutic agents and as scaffolding for tissue engineering applications.

This invention provides novel nanofiber enhanced surface area substrates and structures comprising such substrates for use in various medical devices, as well as methods and uses for such substrates and medical devices. In one particular embodiment, a method of administering a composition to a patient is disclosed which comprises providing a composition-eluting device, said composition-eluting device comprising at least a first surface and a plurality of nanostructures attached to the first surface, and introducing the composition-eluting device into the body of the patient.

The invention is directed to an endoscopic assembly having an endoscope, particularly a flexible hysteroscope and an outer sheath disposed about a length of the shaft of the hysteroscope which has an expandable member such as an inflatable balloon for sealing the assembly within a body lumen or cavity. Specifically, the endoscope assembly is configured for delivery of an occlusive contraceptive member to the patient's fallopian tube. The invention is also directed to an endoscope having a driving member for movement of a medical device within the working lumen of an endoscope. In one embodiment the driving member is a friction wheel which engages an elongated medical device disposed within the working channel of the endoscope to effect longitudinal movement of the medical device.

An intravaginal antimicrobial drug delivery device is disclosed having an antimicrobial agent dispersed throughout a biocompatible elastomeric system. Also disclosed is a method of making the antimicrobial drug delivery device.

An intravaginal drug delivery device comprises a device body comprising a hydrophobic carrier material having at least one channel defining at least one opening to the exterior of said device body, said at least one channel being adapted to receive at least one drug-containing insert; at least one drug-containing insert positioned in said at least one channel, said drug-containing insert capable of releasing a pharmaceutically effective amount of at least one drug suitable for intravaginal administration and containing about 1% to about 70% of at least one water-soluble release enhancer, both the drug and the water-soluble release enhancer dispersed in an insert carrier material; wherein said hydrophobic carrier material and said insert carrier material may be the same or different; and wherein said at least one drug-containing insert is exposed on said exterior of said device body when said intravaginal drug delivery device is in use.

An intravaginal drug delivery device comprising at least one active agent dispersed in a polymer matrix, wherein the concentration of active agent at the outer surface of the device at the time of use is not substantially higher than the concentration of the active agent in the remainder of the device, a method of treatment therewith and a process for its preparation.

Methods, systems and devices for performing gynecological procedures. According to one embodiment, there is provided a device for occluding a fallopian tube, the device including an outer member and an inner member. The outer member may be a hollow, frusto-conical structure shaped to include an open proximal end, an open distal end, and a side wall. The outer member may be self-expandable such that the distal end is biased radially outwardly. In addition, the side wall may have a porous structure to permit the ingrowth of tissue therethrough. Tines may be provided on the outer surface of the side wall to promote the anchoring of the outer member in a fallopian tube. The inner member, which may be structured to induce scarring, may comprise an elongated fibrous body fixed at its proximal end to the proximal end of the outer member. A bore may extend distally from the proximal end of the inner member to receive a delivery rod. The inner member, which may have pores or interstices to permit the ingrowth of tissue thereinto, is coated or impregnated with a sclerosing agent.

This invention is directed to occluding devices and methods of using such devices for occluding a patient's body lumen, such as a reproductive lumen for contraceptive purposes. The occluding device generally has an occluding component, a first metallic element associated with the occluding component, a second metallic element associated with the occluding component. The first and second metallic elements are configured to generate electrical activity which enhances tissue growth into and/or onto the occluding component to aid in lumen occlusion. In one embodiment the first and second metallic elements are formed of different metallic materials and generate galvanic activity. In a second embodiment electrical power is applies to the first and second metallic elements to generate electrical activity that enhances tissue growth.

The various embodiments of the present inventions provide stabilization devices and methods for use of the stabilization devices with minimally invasive gynecological procedures such as methods of preventing pregnancy by inserting intrafallopian contraceptive devices into the fallopian tubes

Devices, such as medical devices for inhibiting conception, and methods of using and/or making these devices. In one aspect of the disclosure, a medical device has a delivery system and a first insert, which is removably coupled to the delivery system and which is designed to be deployed within a portion of a first fallopian tube, and a second insert, which is removably coupled to the delivery system and which is designed to be deployed within a portion of a second fallopian tube. Other aspects of the disclosure include, among other things, inserts made from one or more polymers; inserts which are designed to pierce and remain in place; and inserts which are implanted through a fluid delivery system.

A medical device including a body portion configured and dimensioned to be associated with a vessel of a patient and a responsive component associated with the body portion wherein the responsive component is switchable between a first configuration and a second configuration.

A water soluble, biodegradable reverse thermal gelation system comprising a mixture of at least two types of tri-block copolymer components is disclosed. The tri-block copolymer components are made of a hydrophobic biodegradable polyester A-polymer block and a hydrophilic polyethylene glycol B-polymer block. The drug release and gel matrix erosion rates of the biodegradable reverse thermal gelation system may be modulated by various parameters such as the hydrophobic/hydrophilic component contents, polymer block concentrations, molecular weights and gelation temperatures, and weight ratios of the tri-block copolymer components in the mixture.

A contraceptive device for placement in a fallopian tube includes expanding distal and proximal anchor members and an expandable elongate member connecting the distal anchor member to the proximal anchor member. An expandable material is disposed on at least a portion of the contraceptive device, whereupon delivery of the contraceptive device, the expandable material expands to completely occlude the fallopian tube. The expandable material may contain a drug, therapeutic agent, or hormone which is released over time to occlude or otherwise prevent the passage of spermazoa through the fallopian tube, or prevent ovulation. The contraceptive device may be delivered non-operatively and provide complete sterilization within a period of days. The device and delivery method obviates the need for follow-up visits to confirm closure of the fallopian tubes.