SHAPE MEMORY POLYMER-BASED TRANSCERVICAL DEVICE FOR PERMANENT OR TEMPORARY STERILIZATION

摘要

Transcervical contraceptive devices (TCDs) are disclosed. The TCDs are constructed of shape memory polymer (SMP) materials capable of assuming a memory shape at physiological temperatures. These SMPTCDs (410) have a post-implantation memory shape that is substantially identical to or slightly larger than the insertion site (420) to adapt to changes that may occur in a fallopian tube. The SMPTCDs (410) may be formed as occlusion devices (i.e., plugs) having a number of different structural features. The SMPTCDs (410) may provide for a temporary or permanent means of contraception.