Vas Deferens Constriction and Stimulation for Reversible Contraception

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing male contraception methods, such as vasectomy and silicone plugs, are either permanent or associated with side effects, lacking a safe and reversible option for controlled fertility regulation.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus comprising an implantable restriction device and a controller that gently constricts the vas deferens using a constriction device and stimulates the tissue wall with a stimulation device to control sperm flow, allowing adjustable and reversible contraception.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a constriction device is used to occlude vas deference, then contraception effect is achieved, but blood circulation in the tissue wall may be hampered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontraception effectVSAvoidblood circulation impairment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The stimulation device applies localized electrical stimulation to specific areas of the tissue wall at different times, creating temporal and spatial variation in the constriction effect. This allows certain areas to maintain normal blood circulation while other areas provide the contraceptive occlusion effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The control device controls the stimulation device to intermittently stimulate different areas of the tissue wall rather than continuous stimulation. This periodic action allows blood circulation to be maintained in non-stimulated areas while achieving sustained contraceptive effect through cumulative constriction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If continuous stimulation is applied to achieve complete occlusion, then sperm flow is completely blocked, but tissue injury risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesperm flow blockageVSAvoidtissue injury

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control device implements periodic stimulation with intermittent intervals, stimulating different areas of the tissue wall at different times. This prevents continuous constriction that would cause tissue injury while maintaining effective sperm flow blockage through cumulative effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The tissue wall is divided into multiple areas that are stimulated separately and intermittently. The control device selects different areas for stimulation at different times, ensuring that no single area undergoes continuous constriction that would lead to tissue injury.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If silicone plugs are inserted into vas deference, then occlusion is achieved, but sperm antibody formation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveocclusion effectVSAvoidsperm antibody formation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the mechanical silicone plug system with an electrical stimulation system. Instead of inserting foreign material that triggers immune response, the system uses electrical signals to induce natural muscle contraction for occlusion, avoiding sperm antibody formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If vasectomy is performed to achieve permanent sterility, then contraception is effective, but reversibility is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontraception effectivenessVSAvoidreversibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static permanent occlusion (vasectomy) to dynamic reversible occlusion. The control device can adjust stimulation parameters and intervals, allowing the degree of occlusion to be modulated. The tissue wall can be stimulated to contract for contraception or allowed to relax for reversibility, providing adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Provides a safe and reversible method for controlling sperm flow, maintaining normal blood circulation, and reducing the risk of tissue injury through intermittent and controlled stimulation.

Implementation Method 1

a stimulation device for stimulating the wall portion of the tissue wall to cause contraction of the wall portion to further influence the flow in the vas deference

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMuscle contraction:

Data Source

PatentEP4729115A1An apparatus for male contraception

Publication Date: 2026.04.22 IMPLANTICA PATENT LTD

Figure 1A~1C
Figure 1D~1E
Figure 1F~1H

AI summary

An apparatus for controlling a flow of fluid in a lumen formed by a tissue wall of a patient's vas deference comprises an implantable constriction device for gently constricting (i.e. without substantially hampering the blood circulation in the tissue wall) at least one portion of the tissue wall to influence the flow in the lumen, and a stimulation device for stimulating the wall portion of the tissue 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 lumen. The apparatus can be used for restricting or stopping the flow in the lumen, or for actively moving the fluid in the lumen, with a low risk of injuring the vas deference.